9/6/2014 Capital Structure Theory - Net Operating Income Approach

http://www.efinancemanagement.com/financial-leverage/231-capital-structure-theory-net-operating-income-approach 1/3
Financial Leverage
Capital Structure Theory - Net Operating Income Approach
Net Operating Income Approach to capital structure believes that the value
of a firm is not affected by the change of debt component in the capital
structure. It assumes that the benefit that a firm derives by infusion of debt
is negated by the simultaneous increase in the required rate of return by
the equity shareholders. With increase in debt, the risk associated with the
firm, mainly bankruptcy risk, also increases and such a risk perception
increases the expectations of the equity shareholders.
Capital structure of a company is a mix / ratio of debt and equity in the
company's mode of financing. This ratio of debt in the capital structure is
also known as financial leverage. Some companies prefer more of debt while others prefer more of equity, while
financing their assets. The ultimate goal of a company is to maximize its market value and its profits. At the end, the
question stands in front is the relation between the capital structure and value of a firm.
There is one school of thought advocating the idea that increasing the debt component or the leverage of a company
will increase the value of a firm. On the other hand, increasing the leverage of the company also increases the risk
of the company. There are various theories which establish the relationship between financial leverage, weighted
average cost of capital and the total value of the firm. One such theory it the Net Operating Income Approach.
Net Operating Income Approach (NOI Approach)
This approach was put forth by Durand and totally differs from the Net Income Approach. Also famous as traditional
approach, Net Operating Income Approach suggests that change in debt of the firm/company or the change in
leverage fails to affect the total value of the firm/company. As per this approach, the WACC and total value of a
company are independent of the capital structure decision or financial leverage of a company.
As per this approach, the market value is dependent on the operating income and the associated business risk of
the firm. Both these factors cannot be impacted by the financial leverage. Financial leverage can only impact the
share of income earned by debt holders and equity holders but cannot impact the operating incomes of the firm.
Therefore, change in debt to equity ratio cannot make any change in the value of the firm.
It further says that with the increase in the debt component of a company, the company is faced with higher risk. To
compensate that, the equity shareholders expect more returns. Thus, with increase in financial leverage, the cost of
equity increases.
Assumptions / Features of Net Operating Income Approach:
1. The overall capitalization rate remains constant irrespective of the degree of leverage. At a given level of EBIT,
value of the firm would be EBIT/Overall capitalization rate
2. Value of equity is the difference between total firm value less value of debt i.e. Value of Equity = Total Value of
the Firm - Value of Debt
3. WACC (Weightage Average Cost of Capital) remains constant; and with the increase in debt, the cost of
equity increases. Increase in debt in the capital structure results in increased risk for shareholders. As a
compensation of investing in highly leveraged company, the shareholders expect higher return resulting in
higher cost of equity capital.
Diagrammatic representation of NOI Approach to Capital Structure:
Search eFinanceManagement.com
Search...
Latest Articles
What is Debit and Credit - An Easy to Understand
Explanation
What is Accounting Period?
Understanding Owners Equity From Definition
to Precise Meaning
What is Accounting Equation?
How is Debenture different from Bank Loans,
Equity Shares and Bond?
Capital Rationing - Its Assumptions, Advantages
and Disadvantages
What is Accounting?
Popular
Profit Maximization vs. Wealth Maximization
Difference between Lease Financing Vs. Hire
Purchase
Wealth Maximization
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)
Types of Lease
Profit Maximization
Working Capital Management Techniques for
Finding Optimal Level of Working Capital

9/6/2014 Capital Structure Theory - Net Operating Income Approach
http://www.efinancemanagement.com/financial-leverage/231-capital-structure-theory-net-operating-income-approach 2/3
Example explaining Net Operating Income Approach to Capital Structure:
Consider a fictitious company with below figures. All figures in USD.
Earnings before Interest Tax (EBIT) = 100,000
Bonds (Debt part) = 300,000
Cost of Bonds issued (Debt) = 10%
WACC = 12.5%
Calculating the value of the company:
(EBIT) = 100,000
WACC = 12.5%
Market value of the company = EBIT/WACC
= 100,000/12.5%
= 800,000
Total Debt = 300,000
Total Equity = Total market value-total debt
= 800,000-300,000
= 500,000
Shareholders' earnings = EBIT-interest on debt
= 100,000-10% of 300,000
= 70,000
Cost of equity = 70,000/500,000
= 14%
Now, assume that the proportion of debt increases from 300,000 to 400,000 and everything else remains same.
(EBIT) = 100,000
WACC = 12.5%
Market value of the company = EBIT/WACC
= 100,000/12.5%
= 800,000
Total Debt = 400,000
Total Equity = Total market value-total debt
= 800,000-400,000
= 400,000
Shareholders' earnings = EBIT-interest on debt
= 100,000-10% of 400,000
= 60,000
9/6/2014 Capital Structure Theory - Net Operating Income Approach
http://www.efinancemanagement.com/financial-leverage/231-capital-structure-theory-net-operating-income-approach 3/3
Tweet 0
= 60,000
Cost of equity = 60,000/400,000
= 15%
As observed, in case of Net Operating Income approach, with the increase in debt proportion, the total market value of the
company remains unchanged, but the cost of equity increases.
20 Like
Footer Menu

Home

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

About Us
Related Articles
Corporate Financial Management
Analysis of Financial Statements Using Financial Ratios
Capital Structure and its Theories
How to Choose Right Source of Finance for Your Business?
Leverage and Types of Leverages
Financial Leverage
Benefits and Disadvantages of Debentures
Facebook social plugin
Comment
Add a comment...
Neyaz Khan Leader at Student
hhh
Reply Like 23 June at 18:59
Maajid Mohamoud Hussein Top commenter Assistant Manager at
Dahabshiil bank
this explanation has the merit of being both informative and readable.
Reply Like 1 May at 13:52 5
Aleena Treesa
gud
Reply Like 16 April at 22:29 1