The Cost of Capital

Assume that you are a member of an aerospace companys newly formed executive committee that has been given the role of reviewing requests for major capital expenditures. The committee chairman has laid the groundwork for approving requests that managers of various organizational units have submitted by reminding the group that their charge is to approve the investment opportunities that will best meet the companys financial objective of maximizing shareholder wealth.
One of the more outspoken individuals on the committee vigorously pushed the concept that the best way to maximize shareholder wealth would be to accept all of the projects that promise a return that is higher than the long-term interest rates on bonds or bank loans. This same committee member is also insistent that the company turn to borrowed funds as needed to augment existing funds so that all of the projects that are attractive to the committee and that promise a return that is higher than the borrowing rate can be accepted.
Other committee members expressed concern about that approach but the time scheduled for adjourning the meeting arrived before the disagreement was resolved. You have been assigned to examine the issue and in the spirit of taking advantage of a teaching moment circulate a report that will bring all committee members to a common understanding of the decision criteria that should be adopted by the committee. The chairman asked that your report address the following questions that seemed to be present during the committee meeting.
Prepare a 3-4 page report in which you answer the questions as requested by the committee chairman. Apply APA standards for writing style to your report.