Cost of capital: Definition and uses

Definition

Cost of capital refers to the total cost a company incurs in order to raise funds for its operations and investments. It represents the overall expense of utilising various sources of financing, such as equity (stocks) and debt (loans or bonds), to support the company’s activities.

What is cost of capital?

The cost of capital takes into account both the cost of equity and the cost of debt. The cost of equity is the return that shareholders expect for investing in the company’s stock, taking into consideration factors like dividends and potential capital gains. The cost of debt, on the other hand, is the interest expense a company pays on its borrowed funds.

Calculating the cost of capital helps a company make informed decisions about which projects or investments to undertake. It serves as a benchmark to assess whether the potential returns from an investment are greater than the cost of obtaining the necessary funds. This analysis is crucial for maintaining profitability and shareholder value.

For businesses, understanding the cost of capital is essential for strategic planning, capital budgeting, and evaluating the financial viability of various opportunities. It’s a fundamental concept in corporate finance that plays a pivotal role in shaping a company’s financial decisions.

Example of cost of capital

XYZ Company is considering a new project that requires an investment of R1 million. The company can finance the project using a mix of equity and debt. The cost of equity is estimated to be 10%, and the cost of debt is 5%.

If XYZ Company decides to use 50% debt and 50% equity to finance the project, the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) can be calculated as follows:

In this case:

Cost of equity = 10%
Equity weight = 50%
Cost of debt = 5%
Debt weight = 50%

Therefore, the average cost of capital for XYZ Company, in this example, is 7.5%. This represents the overall cost of financing the project taking into account both equity and debt.