Indifference Analysis

Indifference Analysis: Definition

The so-called debt-equity mix is used to make financing decisions that increase the earnings per share (EPS) of a company.

EBIT-EPS analysis involves determining the crossover or indifference EBIT at which the EPS is the same between two financing alternatives.

In other words, the use of a financial break-even point (BEP), and the return from alternative financial plans, is called indifference analysis.

Indifference Analysis: Explanation

EBIT-EPS analysis involves comparing alternative methods of financing and their impact on earnings.

When making financial decisions, companies have many options. For example, if a company has to raise funds to finance its investment proposals, it has options such as:

Raise funds exclusively through equity capital

Raise funds exclusively through debts

Raise funds exclusively through preference shares

Combination of these sources, where the company decides on a proportion of (1), (2), and (3) to increase the value of EPS

The choice of proportions from the above funding options is made to ensure the highest EPS at the given level of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).

Thus, EBIT-EPS analysis helps to determine EPS under various financial plans. Indifference analysis is generally undertaken using the formula stated below.

Formula for Indifference Analysis

Suppose that a company is comparing two possible financing alternatives, 1 and 2. Then the indifference EBIT is calculated as follows:

where:

EBIT = indifference EBIT

I = interest

T = tax rate

D = dividend on preference shares

N = number of equity shares outstanding

If the capital structure of the company does not contain preference shares and the earnings of the company do not come under the tax bracket, then the following formula can be applied:

Calculating the Indifference Point

The necessary conditions for calculating the indifference point are:

The firm's capital structure should have equity capital as a component

Financial plans should have differing equity capital bases

Example

XYZ Company requires $1,000,000 for its proposed plan. The following financial alternatives are available:

Plan I: 100% Equity Capital (Face Value $100)

Plan II: 50% Equity Capital (Face Value $100) and 50% Debenture (interest rate 6%)

Plan III: 50% Equity Capital (Face Value $100) and 50% Preference Shares (rate of dividend 6%)

Plan IV: 25% Equity Capital (Face Value $100), 25% Debentures (interest rate 6%), and 50% Preference Shares (rate of dividend 6%)

The rate of tax applicable to the company is 50%. The company expects an EBIT of $4,000,000.

Required: Calculate the following:

EPS for each plan

Financial break-even

Indifference point of EBIT between different plans

Solution

1. EPS under different plans

2. Determination of financial break-even point

Plan I: There is no fixed financial charge (debenture interest or preference dividend). Therefore, there is no financial break-even.

Plan II: Fixed financial charges amount to $30,000 (interest on debentures). Therefore, the financial break-even is $30,000.

Plan III: In the case of Plan III, the fixed financial charge is $30,000 (preference dividend). Preference dividend is payable out of profit after tax. The tax rate applicable is 50%. Therefore, the financial break-even is $60,000 (Dividend 30,000 + Tax 30,000).

Plan IV: In the case of Plan IV, the fixed financial charges are $75,000, i.e., interest on debentures $15,000 + preference dividend ($30,000 + Tax on profit $30,000) $60,000.

Verification