fin650 all week discussions latest 2017

Week 1 discussion

DQ1

Briefly discuss the purpose and role that each type of financial institutions (depositary, contractual, and investment) play in the U.S. economy. How do each of these institutions intersect with the various types of markets, i.e., capital, money, spot (cash), derivatives, Forex and Interbank, primary, and secondary (inclusive of OTC)?

DQ2

Select a publicly traded firm of your choice that enjoys a large shareholder base. What challenges may this firm have encountered (or is likely to encounter) in terms of (a) incorporating ethics into financial management practices, and (b) maintaining/sustaining ethical practices in the face of internal or external (market) pressures? Frame your response relative to the financial manager's fiduciary duty to maximize shareholder's wealth.

Week 2 discussion

DQ1

To live comfortably in retirement, you decide you will need to save $2 million by the time you are 65 (you are 30 years old today). You will start a new retirement savings account today and contribute the same amount of money on every birthday up to and including your 65th birthday. Using TVM principles, how much must you set aside each year to make sure that you hit your target goal if the interest rate is 5%? What flaws might exist in your calculations, and what variables could lead to different outcomes? What actions could you take ensure you reach your target goal?

DQ2

Financial ratios are essential to provide an accurate valuation of a firm. Select a publicly traded firm of your choice. You may use the firm you have elected to profile for the course-long Financial Analysis and Proposal assignment or a completely different organization altogether. Select one ratio each in the areas of (a) performance, (b) activity, (c) financing, and (d) liquidity warnings. Provide an evaluation of the selected firm's strengths and weaknesses. Based on the ratios you selected, how well does your chosen firm perform? Explain.

Week 3 discussion

DQ1

You have been asked to perform a stock valuation prior to the annual shareholders meeting next week. The two models you have selected to value the firm are the dividend discount model and the discounted cash flow model. Explain why the estimates from the two valuation methods differ. Address the assumptions implicit in the models themselves as well as those you made during the valuation process.

DQ2

In a rising interest rate environment, how would bond values change over time? As a bond investor, what measures would you take to manage rate risk?

Week 4 discussion

DQ1

Explain how the decision of the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) to raise interest rates would be expected to affect each component of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). What mistakes are commonly made when estimating the WACC, and how do these mistakes arise?

DQ2

In what types of situations would capital budgeting decisions be made solely on the basis of project's net present value (NPV)? Identify potential reasons that might drive higher NPV for a given project. Substantiate your response by providing an example to explain your thought process.

Week 5 discussion

DQ1

How would a financial manager determine optimal capital structure? How this would fit in with the company's capital expenditures, growth plans and operating results?

DQ2

In a "perfect world" capital market, how important is a firm's decision to pay dividends versus repurchase shares? Under what conditions would you have a tax preference for share repurchase rather than dividends? Would managers acting in the interests of long-term shareholders be more likely to repurchase shares if they believed the stock to be either undervalued or overvalued?

Week 6 discussion

DQ1

If you are the CFO of a multinational company. What steps could you take to minimize international risk? Describe how cash flows are used to minimize political risk.

DQ2

Describe the importance of international capital structure. What risks can you identify when working with cash, credit and inventory management? Provide your rationale and any supporting data.

Week 7 discussion

DQ1

Compare and contrast two types of leases and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each. Which type of lease would produce the lowest risk?

DQ2

In your firm, what benefits does leasing offer, compared to the purchase of an asset? Provide examples.

Week 8 discussion

DQ1

What could a financial manager look at to determine whether his company is successful or in distress?

DQ2
Reflect on your experience in this course. What are the key takeaways you have learned in this course that you can apply tomorrow or in the near future?