Question

B15-14 (book/static) Question Help (Using EBIT-EPS break-even analysis) Home Depot, Inc. (HD), had 1244 million shares of common stock outstanding in 2016, whereas Lowes Companies, Inc. (LOW), had 929 million shares outstanding. Assuming Home Depot's 2016 interest expense is $919 million, Lowes' interest expense is $552 million, and a 35 percent tax rate for both firms, what is their break-even level of operating income (i.e., the level of EBIT where EPS is the same for both firms)? The EBIT indifference level is $ . (Round to the nearest dollar.)

Answer 1

Let the break even level of EBIT be x

(x-919 million)(1-35%)/1244 million = (x-552 million)(1-35%)/929 million

603.85x – 554938.15 million = 808.6x – 446347.2

X = $530,358,730.16

I.e. $530,358,730