FM414 Half Unit
Corporate Investment and Financial Policy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Ashwini Agrawal
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Finance (full-time), MSc in Finance (full-time) (Work Placement Pathway), MSc in Finance and Private Equity and MSc in Finance and Private Equity (Work Placement Pathway). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
All students on a programme listed under the Course Availability will be given a place. This course is closed to outside students and does not permit auditing students.
Please contact finance.teachingmanager@lse.ac.uk with any queries.
This course is not capped, any eligible student that requests a place will be given one.
This course does not permit auditing students.
Requisites
Pre-requisites:
Students must have completed FM422 and FM423 before taking this course.
Course content
This is a case-based course that is geared towards applying corporate finance and investment valuation tools in a variety of real-world settings. Particular emphasis will be placed upon understanding the strengths and limitations of academic approaches to solving real-world problems. We will also discuss when and how these tools are used in various professional settings such as private equity/investment banking, buy-side research, and consulting. Some of the topics that we will cover include:
• Valuation of venture-capital backed startups and related securities
• Risk management tools such as insurance, hedging, and security design
• Valuation techniques for M&A, LBO’s, private vs. public firms, voting vs. non-voting shares
• Capital structure analyses
• Discount rate estimation for conglomerates, multinational firms, and private companies
• Working capital management
• Bank runs and financial stability policies
• Leasing versus Buying
Weekly case studies will be assigned and discussed in class.
Teaching
30 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course is taught in the interactive lecturing format. There is no distinction between lectures and classes/seminars; there are “sessions” only, and the pedagogical approach in each session is interactive.
Assessment
Continuous assessment (100%)
Key facts
Department: Finance
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 131
Average class size 2024/25: 131
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Team working
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness