Items 1 and 2 are based on the following information:

Management of Russell Corporation is considering the following two potential capital structures for a newly acquired business.

Alternative 1

Long-term debt, 6% interest

$3,000,000

Common equity

$3,000,000

Cost of common equity, 10%

Marginal tax rate, 15%

Alternative 2

Long-term debt, 7% interest

$5,000,000

Common equity

$1,000,000

Cost of common equity, 12%

Marginal tax rate, 15%

Which of the following statements is not true if management decides to accept Alternative 1?

  1. Alternative 1 is the more conservative capital structure.
  2. Alternative 1 provides the greatest amount of financial leverage.
  3. Net income will be less variable under Alternative 1.
  4. Total interest expense will be less under Alternative 1.

Which of the alternatives has the lowest weighted-average cost of capital and how much is the differential?

  1. Alternative 1 by 1.5%
  2. Alternative 2 by 0.59%
  3. Alternative 1 by 0.167%
  4. The alternatives have equal weighted-average cost of capital.