Welcome to our WACC calculator. This tool will help you to calculate the weighted average cost of capital
(WACC) for a company. WACC is a measure of a company's cost of capital in which each category of capital is
proportionately weighted.
The formula for calculating WACC is:
WACC = (E/V x Re) + ((D/V x Rd) x (1-T))
Where:
E = market value of the company's equity
V = market value of the company's debt and equity (i.e. market capitalization)
Re = cost of equity
D = market value of the company's debt
Rd = cost of debt
T = the corporate tax rate
This formula represents the required return necessary to make a capital budgeting project, such as building a new factory or investing in a new product line, worthwhile.
E: Market value of equity is the current market value of all the outstanding shares of the company. It is calculated by multiplying the current stock price by the number of outstanding shares.
V: Market value of debt and equity is the sum of the market value of equity and the market value of debt. It represents the total market capitalization of the company.
Re: Cost of equity is the return that investors expect from holding a company's stock. It is often estimated using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) or the Dividend Discount Model (DDM).
D: Market value of debt is the current market value of all the outstanding debt of the company. It is calculated by adding up the value of all the bonds and loans outstanding.
Rd: Cost of debt is the return that investors expect from holding a company's debt. It is often estimated as the yield to maturity on the company's bonds.
T: Corporate tax rate is the percentage of income that a company must pay in taxes.
An example: Suppose a company has $2 million in equity, $1 million in debt, a cost of equity of 8%, a cost of debt of 6%, and a tax rate of 30%.
WACC = ($2 million / $3 million) * 8% + ($1 million / $3 million) * 6% * (1 - 30%) = 0.07 or 7%.
This means that the company must earn at least a 7% return on its projects to be considered worthwhile.
The WACC calculator can be used for several purposes, some of the main uses and benefits are:
Capital budgeting: The WACC can be used to evaluate the potential returns of a new project or investment. If the expected return on the project is greater than the WACC, it is considered a good investment.
Valuation: The WACC can also be used to estimate the intrinsic value of a company. By comparing the WACC to the company's current stock price, investors can determine whether the company is overvalued or undervalued.
Comparison: The WACC can be used to compare the cost of capital of different companies in the same industry. This can give investors an idea of which companies are more efficiently financed and thus potentially more profitable.
Financial planning: The WACC can be used as a benchmark for a company's management to make strategic decisions about financing and investment.
Assessing Risk: By evaluating the WACC, a company can assess the risks associated with different types of financing and make informed decisions about its capital structure.
Weighted Average: It helps to provide the weighted average cost of capital, which is a more accurate representation of a company's cost of capital as it takes into account the proportion of each type of capital in the company's financing mix.
Overall, the WACC calculator is a useful tool for investors, financial analysts, and company management to evaluate the cost of capital, investment opportunities, and the overall financial health of a company.