Adjustment of the Standard WACC Method to Subsidized Loans: A Clarification

In this article, we show how to value projects financed by subsidized loans using the standard WACC method, with three distinct assumptions concerning the debt ratio targeted by the firm. In fact, the subsidized loan amount used to calculate this debt ratio can be determined according to book value, economic value or market value. This three definitions are equivalent when considering a non-subsidized loan. In each case, the value of a subsidized loan is determined with the help of a general dynamic non-linear model for the selection of projects with the option of subsidized financing. As a result, when considering economic value, we find the adjustment advocated by Myers (1974) in his Adjusted Present Value approach.