What does the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) represent?

The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is a financial metric that averages the costs of all sources of capital that a company utilizes, including debt and equity. The calculation takes into account the proportion of each capital source in the company's capital structure, applying weights based on their market value. This means that WACC reflects the average rate that a company is expected to pay to finance its assets and operations.

It serves as a critical benchmark for evaluating investment opportunities. If the return on an investment is higher than the WACC, it suggests that the investment is likely to create value for the company, while a return lower than the WACC indicates that the investment may destroy value.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe WACC. The average cost of equity only focuses on one component of capital. The total debt of a company represents only the liabilities side of the balance sheet and does not consider equity. The net profit margin of a company measures profitability but is unrelated to the costs associated with obtaining capital. Thus, C is the correct choice as it encapsulates the comprehensive nature of WACC.