Question 32 on page 108:
Based on Exhibits 2 and 3, as well as Holmstead’s assumption about future health care inflation, the debt-to-equity ratio calculated by Rickards for XYZ should be closest to:
A 2.69.
B 2.71.
C 2.73.
Exhibit 3 shows 100 bp increase would result in Benefit obligation change of + $93.
Answer is:C is correct. To calculate the debt-to-equity ratio, both liabilities and total equity need to be adjusted for the estimated impact of a 100-bp increase in health care costs. The proposed increase in health care costs will increase total liabilities and decrease equity by the same amount. Consequently, the debt-to-equity ratio changes as follows:
Sensitivity of benefit obligation to 100-bp increase = $93
Adjusted liabilities = $17,560 + $93 = $17,653
Adjusted equity = $6,570 – $93 = $6,477
Adjusted debt-to-equity ratio = $17,653/$6,477 = 2.7255 ≈ 2.73
Consequently, a 100-bp increase in health care costs increases the debt-to-equity ratio to approximately 2.73.
I am confused by why the equity is adjusted by $93 please, will this be impacted by Retained Earning via income statement please?
Second, why dont we include the impact of $12 please? as it is change in benefit expenses, which shall impact the retained earning then equity?