FM414E      Half Unit
Corporate Investment and Financial Policy

This information is for the 2017/18 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Ulf Axelson

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Finance (part-time). This course is not available as an outside option.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Asset Markets (FM423) and Corporate Finance (FM422).

Course content

  • Supporting the firm's strategy with Long-term and short-term financial management
  • Real options and strategic investment decisions
  • Family firms, IPOs, and corporate governance
  • Risk management, International valuation, and currency exposure

A case based course aimed at deepening the understanding of how to apply corporate finance concepts in a wide variety of business situations. In particular, we will try to build on concepts in business strategy, valuation techniques, and capital structure theories covered in previous courses, and see how to apply those tools in a systematic and rigorous way when approaching complicated real-life corporate finance problems. Examples of topics include working capital management, capital structure, risk management, real options, initial public offerings, international corporate finance, and family firms. Students will have to read up on cases before class and be prepared to discuss them interactively in class.

Teaching

30 hours of seminars in the MT.

Formative coursework

5 formative case study assignments (similar to summative cases).

Indicative reading

Berk and DeMarzo, "Corporate Finance"

 

-Around 10 case studies 

 

-A number of related scientific articles, including:

 

Opler, Tim, M. Saron, & S. Titman, 1997, "Designing Capital Structure to Create Shareholder Value," Journal of Applied Corporate Finance 10.1, 21-32 Bodily, Samuel E., 2005, "Real Options", Darden case study UV0433-PDF-ENG

Froot, Kenneth, David Scharfstein, and Jeremy Stein, 1994, "A Framework for Risk Management," Harvard Business Review 72, (November-December 1994): 59-71.

James, Mimi, and Timothy M. Koller, "Valuation in Emerging Markets," McKinsey Quarterly 2000:4

Assessment

Exam (70%, duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes) in the main exam period.
Coursework (20%) and class participation (10%) in the LT.

Key facts

Department: Finance

Total students 2016/17: 24

Average class size 2016/17: 16

Controlled access 2016/17: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness