Clark University Department of Finance Graduate School of Management Spring 2009 FIN 5201 Case Studies in Corporate Finance Wednesday: 6:00pm – 9:00pm Location: Carlson Hall 128 Wendy M. Jeffus Office Hours: after class and by appointment Phone: 214-934-1277 Email: jeffus@bc.edu GSOM Mission:1 Clark University's Graduate School of Management (GSOM) is a diverse community of learners, researchers, and business professionals that prepares future leaders to think critically, manage collaboratively and contribute to their organizations and society. Guiding principles support our mission: We provide students with a high quality education by 1) building a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and contemporary management practices 2) encouraging critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication and 3) featuring a faculty that is academically and professionally qualified, actively involved in research in their fields, and engaged in service to their communities and profession. We acknowledge the complex nature of organizations and their environments by 1) reflecting on the larger societal context in which businesses function 2) instilling social awareness and valuing skills and 3) keeping abreast of emerging management issues and maintaining collaborative links to the business community. We support management practice through basic research, pedagogical research and contributions to practice. Primary emphasis is placed on scholarly contributions in journals or books that contribute new knowledge. We are committed to continuous improvement by 1) establishing learning goals and monitoring learning outcomes across the curriculum 2) assessing intellectual contributions of faculty 3) seeking input from stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni and the community at large and 4) monitoring the direction of the school, periodically reviewing its performance, and actively engaging in strategic planning. 1 Source : http://www.clarku.edu/gsom/about/missionstatement08.cfm 1 Course Description:2 This course extends the discussion from FIN4200 of the theoretical financial issues facing the corporation. The student is exposed to a more in-depth presentation of the underlying financial theories and gains practice applying these theories to actual problems either through case analyses or additional readings. Course Objectives: This course links managerial decisions to capital markets and the expectations of investors. The focus is on current corporate finance theory and some of the problems associated with implementation of this theory. At the core of almost all of the cases is a valuation task that requires students to look to financial markets for guidance in resolving the case problem. The focus on value helps managers understand the impact of the firm on the world around it. The course will be conducted through lectures, discussion, and case analysis. Solutions to selected cases/problems will be discussed in class. Textbooks & Recommended Reading: 1. Case Studies in Finance (5th edition) by Robert F. Bruner 2. Jeffus Course Packet available at: www.wendyjeffus.com 3. Regular reading of the Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times. 4. Strongly Recommended: Corporate Finance (8th edition) by Ross/Westerfield/Jaffe (or another corporate finance text) 5. Recommended: Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein 2 Session 1 Date 1/14 2 1/21 3 1/28 Topics, Readings, & Assignments Introduction, Overview of Corporate Finance & the Financial Environment “How to Study and Discuss a Case” Assessment Example Warren Buffett: To Think Like an Investor Value Creation & Governance Jeffus: “Free Cash Flow Calculation” Case: Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Time Value of Money & Capital Asset Pricing Model Chapter 12 Jeffus: “Time Value of Money” Case: Nike, Inc. http://www.clarku.edu/academiccatalog/course.cfm?id=1373&lc=FIN5201&mode=GraduateProgram&pprog=32 2 4 2/4 5 2/11 6 2/18 7 2/25 8 9 10 3/4 3/11 3/18 11 3/25 13 4/1 14 4/8 15 4/15 16 4/22 Cost of Capital & Economic Value Added (EVATM) Jeffus: “WACC Calculation” Case: Coke versus Pepsi Financial Statements, Cash Flows, and Taxes & Analysis of Financial Statements Jeffus: “Financial Statements and Ratios” Case: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Financial Planning & Managing Growth Jeffus: “Financial Forecasting & Managing Growth” Case: Body Shop International: An Introduction to Financial Modeling Case Assessment Presentations Midterm Review Spring Break MIDTERM EXAM (in class) Capital Budgeting & Resource Allocation Jeffus: “Capital Budgeting” & “Working Capital Management – Cash Conversion Cycle” Case: Chrysler Corporation: Negotiations Between Daimler & Chrysler (All Teams Stage I) IPO Valuation & Financing the Early-Stage Firm Case: JetBlue Airways Capital Structure Decisions & Evaluating a Lease Financing Proposal Jeffus: “Lease vs. Buy” Chapter 28 Case: Rosario Acero S.A. Case: National Railroad Passenger Corporation (“Amtrak”) Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions Case: Chrysler Corporation: Negotiations Between Daimler & Chrysler (All Teams Stage II) Case Assessment Presentations “The Bottom Line” Final Exam Review FINAL EXAM 3 Examinations, Papers, & Grading: There will be two exams, and four case assignments. Some of your assignments will be assessed by both the professor and your classmates. Occasional participation assignments are optional and will count towards your class discussion/participation grade. Homework problems will also count toward your participation grade and will help you prepare for the in-class exams. Case Assignments (Category A - C) Team Case Assignment (Chrysler) Team Assessments (2) Mid-term Exam Final Exam Class Discussion / Participation 30% 20% 10% 15% 15% 10% Papers and Grading Policy: Every student is expected to come prepared for discussion of the reading material and cases for all classes. Every student is expected to provide a write up of four cases—one from each category. Each write up is due the day we discuss the case. Your write up should be analytical rather than descriptive of contents of the case. Late submission of any assignment or assessment will result in a grade reduction. Category A, B, & C cases are to be submitted individually, you have the option of submitting Category D in teams of 3-4 students. Category A Category B Ben & Jerry’s Coke vs. Pepsi Nike, Inc. Krispy Kreme Body Shop Intl. Category C JetBlue Rosario Acero S.A. (“Amtrak”) Category D Chrysler Corp. Exams The midterm and final exams will be "closed-book." There are NO makeup exams. Those students who will be out of town or who are unable to take the final exam on the date specified, must discuss this matter with me well in advance of the examination date. Students will be permitted to use a “study sheet” for their inclass examinations. The “study sheet” will be 1 page and may be written on BOTH sides. Assessments Teams of two-four students will be selected to analyze two assigned cases. Students will be expected to apply the theories discussed in class to the assigned companies dealing with similar issues. Each team will be expected to present each case report. In addition to your case assignments, your team will be critiquing 4 other case presentations. In the “assessment,” you have the opportunity to challenge the conclusions of your classmates, while seeking to apply new course material to the analysis. Participation Students are expected to earn participation points through class attendance, class discussion, in class quizzes, optional homework assignments and/or participation opportunities. Spring 2009 Academic Calendar January 12 – April 25 Dec. 29 – Jan. 2 Web registration for all current students Jan. 7 – 9 Orientation for new full-time students Jan. 6 - 9 Web registration for new full-time and part-time students Jan. 12 First day of classes (Full Semester and Module A) Feb. 13 Last day to withdraw from class with a grade of W (Module A) Feb. 26 Last day of classes (Module A) March 5 Final grades due from faculty for Module A March 2-6 Spring break March 9 First day of classes (Module B) March 27 Last day to withdraw with a grade of W (Full Semester) April 10 Last day to withdraw with a grade of W (Module B) April 23 Last day of classes (Full Semester and Module B) April 24 Make-up day for missed classes April 30 Final grades due from faculty for Module B and Full Semester May 17 Commencement 5