Bixton Companys new chief financial officer is evaluatingBixtons capital structu

Bixton Companys new chief financial officer is evaluatingBixtons capital structure. She is concerned that the firm might beunderleveraged even though the firm has larger-than-averageresearch and development and foreign tax credits when compared toother firms in its industry. Her staff prepared the industrycomparison shown here. 1. Bixtons objective is to achieve a creditstanding that falls in the words of the chief financial officercomfortably within the A range. What target range would yourecommend for each of the three credit measures? 2. Before settlingon these target ranges what other factors should Bixtons chieffinancial officer consider? 3. Before deciding whether the targetranges are really appropriate for Bixton in its current financialsituation what key issues specific to Bixton must the chieffinancial officer resolve?