Title

Cost of capital: spot or forward rate?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2016

Abstract

In this study, we intend to reveal some problems with the classic valuation method – the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) method. We first address a fundamental question about WACC, that is, should WACC be interpreted as a spot rate, a forward rate or any kind of average of either of them? We show that the nature of WACC is the expected forward rate. We next demonstrate that without understanding this nature, we may misinterpret the famous MM formula and MM Proposition II, as well as develop incorrect valuation framework. Our findings provide insightful implications to academia and practitioners for the proper interpretation and implementation of the WACC method.

Publisher's Statement

© 2016 Taylor and Francis. Publisher's version of record: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2016.1145350

Publication Title

Applied Economics

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