I. The basic model, 615.—II. Tax rate interdependence, 620.—III. Foreign borrowing, 626.—IV. Conclusion, 628.

It Is commonplace within the confines of finance literature to explain variations in the firm's residual income stream via the dichotomy of business risk and financial risk. On an ex-post basis the business risk of the enterprise is a direct result of the firm's investment decision and is, thereby, embodied in its asset structure. It follows that the company's cost structure, product demand characteristics, intra-industry competitive position, and managerial talent all affect its business risk posture.