WACC Formula:
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The Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) represents a company's average after-tax cost of capital from all sources, including common stock, preferred stock, bonds, and other forms of debt. It's used as a hurdle rate for investment decisions and valuation analysis.
The calculator uses the WACC formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the weighted average of the cost of equity and the after-tax cost of debt, where weights are based on the market values of equity and debt.
Details: WACC is crucial for capital budgeting decisions, company valuation, investment analysis, and determining the minimum acceptable return on investment projects. It serves as a key metric in discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis.
Tips: Enter all values in USD for monetary amounts and percentages for rates. Ensure V = E + D for accurate calculation. Tax rate should be entered as a percentage (e.g., 25 for 25%).
Q1: Why is WACC important for companies?
A: WACC helps companies determine the minimum return they need to earn on their investments to create value for shareholders and meet debt obligations.
Q2: What is a good WACC percentage?
A: There's no universal "good" WACC - it varies by industry, company risk, and economic conditions. Typically ranges from 5-15% for most established companies.
Q3: How is cost of equity calculated?
A: Cost of equity is often calculated using CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model): Re = Rf + β(Rm - Rf), where Rf is risk-free rate, β is beta, and Rm is market return.
Q4: What are the limitations of WACC?
A: WACC assumes constant capital structure, stable business risk, and may not accurately reflect changing market conditions or company-specific risks.
Q5: When should WACC be recalculated?
A: WACC should be recalculated when there are significant changes in capital structure, interest rates, tax laws, or company risk profile.