What typically affects the calculation of levered beta?

• A. The company’s current market share
• B. The ratio of debt to equity
• C. The company's dividend growth rate
• D. The overall market performance

Answer: (B)

Levered beta, also known as equity beta, represents the risk of a company's equity compared to the market as a whole, taking into account the company's capital structure, particularly its debt levels. The calculation of levered beta is directly influenced by the ratio of debt to equity.

When a company utilizes debt (leverage) to finance its operations, it increases its potential returns but also its risk. The debt amplifies the volatility of the returns to equity holders, leading to a higher levered beta compared to an unlevered beta, which reflects a company devoid of debt. This increase in risk is quantified in the levered beta, making the ratio of debt to equity a critical factor in its calculation.

The other factors, such as market share, dividend growth rate, and overall market performance, are related to different aspects of a company's operations or external conditions but do not directly impact the calculation of levered beta in the same way as the debt-to-equity ratio.