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

The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is a financial metric that reflects the average rate a company is expected to pay to finance its assets through both equity and debt. It takes into account the relative weights of each component of the capital structure—debt and equity—and their respective costs. WACC is crucial for enterprises as it serves as a benchmark for determining the minimum return expected from investments. In other words, if a company invests in a project, that project should ideally yield a return greater than the WACC to create value for its shareholders. This makes understanding WACC essential for evaluating investment decisions and measuring the effectiveness of a company's financial strategy.

In contrast, the other options refer to different financial concepts that do not accurately define WACC. The total equity a company owns relates to its net assets, while the discount rate for property sales pertains to valuation methods, and the cost of property management is tied to operational expenses rather than capital costs. Hence, while relevant in their own contexts, these options do not encapsulate the essence of what WACC represents.