Trucks R' Us has a market capitalization of $142 million, $78 billion in BB rated debt, and $10 billion in cash. If Trucks R' Us' equity beta is 1.68, then their underlying asset beta is closest to:

Their underlying asset beta is closest to is 1.08

Explanation:

According to the given data we have the following:

Debt is given as $78 billion

Equity is given as $142 billion

equity beta given as 1.68

Therefore, in order to calculate the underlying asset beta we would have to use the formula of the the equity beta for a levered firm as follows:

betaE = beta A [1 + (Debt / Equity) ]

1.68 = / beta A [1 + ($78 B / $142 B) ]

1.68 = / beta A [1 + 0.5493]

betaA = 1.68 / 1.5493

betaA = 1.08

Their underlying asset beta is closest to is 1.08