BPA434: ADVANCED TOPICS IN CORPORATE FINANCE COURSE OUTLINE

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1 BPA434: ADVANCED TOPICS IN CORPORATE FINANCE Lynda Livingston Fall, 2012 office: McIntyre 111-J office phone: (253) fax: (253) office hours: MF 12:00-1:00 TTh by W by appointment F afternoon by appointment TIME MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 8:00 9:00 OFF OFF CAMPUS, CAMPUS, 10:00 BUS315 BUT BUS315 BUT BUS315 MC107 AVAILABLE MC107 AVAILABLE MC107 11:00 BUS431 BY BUS431 BY BUS431 MC107 MC107 MC107 12:00 OFFICE ALL MEETING or ALL OFFICE HOURS DAY OFC. HRS. DAY HOURS 1:00 BUS434 BUS434 BUS434 MC107 MC107 MC107 2:00 MAY BE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE BY 3:00 BY APPOINTMENT APPOINTMENT 4:00 5:00 llivingston@ups.edu COURSE OUTLINE DESCRIPTION: Corporate finance is concerned with a corporation s acquisition and allocation of capital. In this course, we consider these interrelated issues, building on the foundation laid in BUS315. In 315, our consideration of the acquisition of capital revolved around calculation of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), using the assumptions that the firm s project risk and financing risk remained unchanged. What if those assumptions are violated? Even if they re not, how do we determine the optimal degree of leverage? Should we use retained earnings or new stock issues for new equity funds? What sorts of options should we consider for our debt? We consider these more advanced questions about capital acquisition in this class. Once we have our capital, how do we deploy it? We discussed the basic net present value approach to capital budgeting in BUS315. Here, we extend our analysis to consider project interrelationships and abandonment options. We evaluate alternative methods of capital budgeting. We consider the valuation not only of projects, but also of whole firms, when we discuss mergers and acquisitions. After our discussion of these and related issues, you should have a much better understanding of how corporations productively employ their resources to create value. PREREQUISITE: As discussed above, our analysis will draw extensively on the background you received in BUS315. You will be expected to be thoroughly conversant with WACC, capital budgeting, and valuation techniques. If you need supplemental resources to bolster your knowledge (or simply your confidence), please see me.

2 BUS434/FALL, 2012/SYLLABUS 2 OBJECTIVES: When you leave this class, you should be able to: understand the differences among the most common capital budgeting methods value firms using both free cash flow discounting and multiples apply valuation techniques to target firms for analyzing merger and acquisition opportunities understand the motivations behind corporate control activities address the theoretical and practical difficulties of the capital structure and dividend decisions create a marginal cost of capital schedule for a firm incorporate decision tree analysis, including abandonment options, into standard NPV methodology evaluate a bond refunding opportunity appreciate both the lessee s and the lessor s rationale for leasing assets understand the applications of option theory to corporate finance TEXT: Principles of Corporate Finance, 10 th edition, Richard A. Brealey, Stewart C. Myers, and Franklin Allen, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, This is the best finance book ever written. It can also help you in the following classes: International Finance (BUS435): Chs. 27 and 33 Financial Statement Analysis (BUS416): Chs Investments (BUS432): Chs. 7, 8, 13, 20, 21, 26 Financial Markets (BUS431): Chs. 13, 14, 15, 23, 24 Introductory Corporate (BUS315 too late!): Chs You may use an earlier edition of this book. Just be aware that there might be small differences between your version and the most recent version. You are responsible for the material as presented in the 10 th edition. If you have questions about possible discrepancies, please see me. COURSE REQUIREMENTS EXAMS: There will be three exams and a comprehensive final. The dates for these exams are noted later in this syllabus. For each in-class test, you may bring one 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper with whatever essential trivia you desire. This sheet must contain hand-written notes ONLY. There may be parts of the exams that are take-home. This is something that we will negotiate. Dates for the take-homes, if any, will also be negotiated. No make-up exams will be given without a written excuse (such as a doctor's note) for the original absence. Certain types of scheduling conflicts will be resolved by your taking the exam EARLY. In all cases, you must inform me ON OR BEFORE the exam date that you will need a makeup. All makeups must be completed within one week of the original exam date. The same material will be covered on a make-up, but the format may be different.

3 COURSE REQUIREMENTS, continued BUS434/FALL, 2012/SYLLABUS 3 HOMEWORK: There will be homework assignments required throughout the semester. Homework will be handed out in class. Different assignments will have different preparation times and point totals; some will be due the class period following their distribution, and some will be due later. The exact number of assignments will vary according to my interpretation of your degree of comfort with the material. Some of our homework assignments may include case analyses and/or presentations. Details of each assignment s requirements will be discussed in class and in the associated assignment handout. No late homework will be accepted. Homework is due at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified. This means you may NOT turn homework papers in to my box in the office, unless they are turned in before the beginning of class. All papers turned in to my box must have the time received written on them by the department secretary. You may work in groups to develop answers, but the written responses which you hand in must be your own work. Any hint of scholastic dishonesty (such as work that is essentially equivalent in terms of form, content, or style) will result in a grade of zero for all concerned parties. It is your responsibility to determine when homework assignments are due. No extensions will be granted on homework due dates because of your missing of class. QUIZZES: We will have a quiz almost every Friday. Material for these quizzes may be new or old or both. You will be told in advance when a quiz is coming. In addition to our weekly required quizzes, I reserve the right to give any number of unannounced quizzes during the semester. These quizzes may count as extra credit, or they may count as homework. The number of quizzes will be negatively related to the class s level of preparation and participation. READINGS: You will be responsible for numerous readings throughout the semester. I will announce these in class as they arise. Many of these readings come from academic finance journals and are complex. Part of your responsibility in this class is to make a concerted effort to identify and assimilate the fundamental ideas presented in these papers. Statements from you such as, This paper was really hard and I didn t understand it will result in significant grade penalties. If you have questions about any article, ASK ME. I will be happy to help you. ATTENDANCE: Missing class is a bad idea. Class time is when we discuss the most important and/or difficult topics; your input is required. However, should you miss class, YOU must take responsibility for finding out what we covered. YOU are responsible for collecting any handouts, assignments, or notes distributed during that period. YOU are responsible for knowing whether homework was assigned. Homework is due when it s due, even if you missed the previous class. I cannot take responsibility for remembering who needs what but you, the person with the most at stake, can. So be sure that you have a good source of information (i.e., a helpful classmate) about what went on during your unfortunate absence.

4 BUS434/FALL, 2012/SYLLABUS 4 ADDITIONAL ISSUES COMMUNICATION: I will be ing you frequently. Your homework will be ed. I will be sending you information about the next day s class; I will be sending you articles; I will be asking you questions. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EVERY DAY. COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOM: are not allowed. No electronic devices that allow your access to the internet are allowed in the classroom. PARTICIPATION: Your active participation in class is necessary, both for you and for your classmates. Your participation score will reflect my assessment of your attendance, your contributions to class discussions, and your overall positive demeanor during class. GRADING The total points you earn in the course will be determined according to the schedule below. At the end of the course, I will rank all students in the class and determine grades by starting with top grades for the top students and working my way down. I do not target an average grade. You should understand that your grade is determined by your relative class standing and not by any particular number of points. If the average score on a given exam were 50 (we shall hope that won't happen), and you received a 50, you'd have an average score, which would then translate into an average grade (NOT a failing grade). Don't be overly concerned with points! Also, realize that I cannot estimate your grade during the course I need all the scores before making any such determination. Please note that this grading policy is comparable to that used for the CFA exam. Course grades will be determined as follows: EXAMS (3) 15% each WEEKLY QUIZZES 15% FINAL EXAM 15% HOMEWORK 15% PARTICIPATION 10%

5 BUS434/FALL, 2012/SYLLABUS 5 COURSE COVERAGE We will address the following topics. The exact timing will depend on you: we will adjust the pace of the class to your needs. We will not sacrifice thoroughness or clarity simply to remain on a predetermined schedule. Please be prepared to help determine the pace of the course. In addition to the textbook chapters listed below, you will have journal articles and excerpts from other relevant sources. We will pay special attention to readings associated with the CFA exam. TOPIC TEXT CHAPTERS INCLUDE 1 capital budgeting and valuation 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 19, 22, 26 dividend and capital structure policy 16, 17, 18, 23, 25 corporate control 12, 31, 32 BACKGROUND READING: I expect you to be familiar with the material in the following chapters. If you find anything about which you re unclear, please tell me as soon as possible so that we can create a refresher for the class. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 (p ) IMPORTANT SEMESTER DATES: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY: MONDAY, 9/3 FALL BREAK: OCTOBER THANKSGIVING BREAK: NOVEMBER EXAM SCHEDULE: WEDNESDAY, 9/26: EXAM #1 WEDNESDAY, 10/24: EXAM #2 FRIDAY, 11/30: EXAM #3 FINAL EXAM: MONDAY, DECEMBER 10: 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 1 but may not be limited to