Case Name :      Winfield Refuse Management, Inc.: Raising Debt vs. Equity

Authors :           W. Carl Kester; Sunru Yong

Source :             HBS Brief Cases

Case ID :            913530

Discipline :        Finance

Case Length :    06 pages

Solution sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

A small, publicly traded company specializing in non-hazardous waste management considers a major acquisition in the Midwestern U.S. The acquisition can provide entry into the region, help the firm compete in a competitive industry, and improve its cost position. The company has a long-standing policy to avoid long term debt and until now has made a series of small acquisitions using only internal financing. The chief financial officer wants the board of directors to reconsider the policy and suggests funding the acquisition through a bond issue. Several company directors disagree and prefer that the firm issue common stock. Students must analyze the costs of issuing either a bond or common stock before making a final recommendation for financing the acquisition.