Choate International plans to issue $15 million in 10-year bonds. They believe they can afford to pay $1,150,000 in interest to bondholders each year.

Which annual interest rate should they use for their bonds? The current market interest rate is 7.75% for similar bonds.

A) 7.75% B) 7.65% C) 8.1% D) 6.5%

Correct option is (B)

Explanation:

Given:

Bond issue amount = $15,000,000

Market interest rate = 7.75%

Investors cannot pay interest more than $1,150,000

Choate cannot choose 6.5%, the bond will become less attractive to investors as it indicates that the bond is selling at discount.

If 7.75% interest is given that is the market interest, then interest amount would be $1,162,500 (15,000,000 * 0.0775)

Choate cannot afford to pay more than $1,150,000, so it cannot offer bonds at 7.75% or 8.1%.

The only option left is 7.65%. Interest amount would be $1,147,500 (15,000,000 * 0.0765) which is less than what the company can afford. Also, it is just marginally lesser than market interest rate of 7.75%, so bonds would still be attractive.

Choate should select 7.65%.