SYLLABUS - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FINK 507 - Sect 115 Summer, 2014 Mode of Instruction: This class meets fully online during the eight week semester that begins June 3 and ends July 25. This course uses the TAMUCT Blackboard Learning system described below and later in this Syllabus in Section 7.0 titled: “Technology Requirements.” Students should check the Blackboard continuously throughout the semester for Communication, Assessments, Solutions, Calculator Tutorials, and other helpful information. See (https://tamuct.blackboard.com).You will use the Blackboard username and password communicated to you separately to log on to this system. A&M-Central Texas has a license for a readiness assessment for online learning. Students can gauge their readiness by taking an assessment at: http://tamuct.smartermeasure.com. This link is included in Bb at the Online Resources portion of the Course Menu. Instructor: Dr. Mary H. Kelly Office: 323F in Founder’s Hall Assistant Professor of Finance Phone: 254-501-5846 Office Hours: On campus from 12 -3 pm on the following days: June 2-4; June 10; July 9, 15. Online Virtual Office Hours M-F throughout the day from 9 am – 9pm Do not hesitate to request an appointment in person or by phone for any day or time. Request an appointment by emailing me or emailing our COBA Administrator. Administrator for Course, Department, and College of Business Administration (COBA): Ms. Jennifer Perez-Rivera at j.perez@ct.tamus.edu or 254-519-5437. Appointments and other information can be obtained with her assistance via email or phone. Communication between Instructor and Student and between Students: The best way to reach me is by Bb email with FIN 507 in the subject line (called messages in Bb) or at my university email (mhkelly@ct.tamus.edu). I generally respond within a day, or sooner if I am online for virtual office hours or related matters. A General Discussion Board on Blackboard will allow you to ask questions of others in the class and receive their answers. Utilizing this discussion board is a key feature for class interface and will allow you to share your specific experience and knowledge with others. Online Communication Standards: All communications and interactions are expected to be civil and appropriate for the learning environment. If the instructor becomes aware of lapses, action may involve deduction of points or other sanctions per university policies and procedures. 1 UNILERT – An Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas This notification service gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email and text message. By enrolling in UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related information, regardless of your location. Please enroll today at http://TAMUCT.org/UNILERT. Important Dates this Semester: Monday, June 2, is the first day of classes for Summer Semester, 2014. Tuesday, June 10, is the deadline to drop this 8-week course per Sect 9.0 below. Wednesday, July 9, is the last day to drop this 8-week course with a Q or W. Thursday, August 7, Graduation Application Deadline for Summer 2014 (Degree Only) Saturday, August 9 at 10 am, is Commencement. Friday, June 27, Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2014 (Commencement Participation) 1.0 Course Description: 1.0 a Catalog Description Course focuses on financial decision making in the modern corporation. Basic issues include capital budgeting, capital structure, corporate sources of funding, dividend policy, financial risk management, standard theories of risk and return, and valuation of assets. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and FIN 500 (if required of student), or approval of the MBA Admissions Committee. 1.0 b Expanded Description The purpose of this course is to improve the financial decision making skills of students by exposing them to a graduate treatment of advanced concepts and techniques used by financial managers in the modern corporation. A central theme of this course is value based management. The course begins with an elevated review of the analysis of financial statements. Emphasis is given to the construction and interpretation of the statement of cash flows and the possibly differing pictures of corporate financial health as given by accrual versus cash flow methods. Financial ratio analysis follows. Conventional liquidity, activity, debt, debt coverage, profitability, DuPont, and market based ratios are computed and used in both time series and industry average analyses. The impact of offbalance sheet items on ratio interpretation is discussed. Some examples of financial planning and techniques of financial forecasting follow. These methods require use of computerized spreadsheet models in "what if" scenarios. The impact of interest rates and shifts in the yield curve as they relate to the firm's financing mix (debt versus equity) is presented. Fundamental concepts related to risk and return follow. Risk in a portfolio context is developed along with the CAPM and the calculation of beta. Time value of money methods extend the basic ideas of compounded growth rates and discounting. Bond and stock valuation methods are developed. Bond ratings, their determination, and how they impact the firm's cost of capital are discussed. Stock valuation utilizes the conventional dividend discount models as well as price ratio analysis. The c concept of "free cash flow" is studied and contrasted with the more traditional discounted dividend models of valuation. More current methods to access manager performance such as market value added and economic value added are discussed and numerically demonstrated. The rationale and the use of the cost of capital is derived using real world examples. Basic capital budgeting decision techniques are 2 explained along with methods to adjust for cash flow risk. Cash flow estimation is necessary for capital budgeting is demonstrated. Types of leverage are described and used to demonstrate how business and financial risk differ, and how these risks impact expected return on equity in the levered firm. The Modigliani/Miller theorems are explained and related to various observed industry capital structures. The firm's dividend policy and share repurchase decision as they impact shareholder wealth are described. Various theories of dividend policy such as the Modigliani/Miller dividend irrelevance argument, the residual dividend theory, the tax and clientele theories of dividends, and the signaling aspect of a firm's dividend policy are discussed. The course concludes with a discussion of various working capital management policies. Corporate ethics and related topics are discussed throughout the course. Global examples of corporate financial decision making are included when appropriate. A semester term paper covering a current topic in the firm's financial decision making is assigned. Spreadsheet mechanics using Excel are emphasized throughout the course. 2.0 Course Objectives and Outcomes 2.1 Student Learning Outcomes (“SLOs”) SLOs are measurable and the Course Calendar states which SLO listed below is addressed in each Assessment. Upon completion of this course, a student should be able to demonstrate the following that will be measured during the course: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. Create spreadsheets with financial data used to facilitate decision making. Draw conclusions about a firm's financial health. Explain time value of money concepts for valuation purposes. Describe a firm’s theoretical stock price using established stock valuation models. Evaluate a firm's cost of capital used in financial decision making. Compare investment decisions using established capital budgeting techniques. Discuss the impact of public policy on financial decision-making. Recognize examples of unethical corporate governance and behavior. 2.2 Student Goals or Competencies. Upon completion of this course, students should understand the following, which will be measured through SLOs described above in 2.1. • The building blocks of value-based corporate decision making aimed at maximizing the firm's stock price. • The importance of understanding a firm's financial statements. • The importance of financial forecasting in overall financial planning. • The nature of a firm's financial environment as it pertains to interest rates. • The basics of risk and return as they relate to stocks in isolation and in a portfolio. • The importance of time value of money methods for valuation purposes. • The importance of a firm's weighted average cost of capital. • Risk analysis in capital budgeting decisions. • How leverage and capital structure are related to risk and expected return. • The basics of the firm's dividend policy decision. • Various working capital management strategies. • The financial aspects of bankruptcy and reorganization. • The importance of ethical behavior and how ethics should impact decision making. • The relationships between academic course material and real-world decision skills. 3 3.0 Required Readings, Materials, and Textbooks: Students tend to use different texts, due to the availability of texts from previous years or from prerequisite courses, and the content can be very similar, but the order of the topics may differ between texts and the Course Calendar attempts to address this by listing topics with sufficient detail to use other texts. (1) The text is “Fundamentals of Corporate Finance” by Ross, Westerfield & Jordan, 10th edition. ISBN is 978-0078034633. This text has an excellent website: www.mhhe.com/rwj. The text above is available for a Reduced Price that includes Premium Online Content at no additional cost when purchased from the university’s Bookstore, and the text has been specially prepared by the publisher (with fewer chapters than the hardcover listed above and the chapters may be in a different order), but some students reported this version of the text had certain pages and charts that were not clearly reproduced. The ISBN is 9780077717605 or 1121770134. This text has the same website noted above: www.mhhe.com/rwj. (2) The course site on Blackboard will have numerous postings of reading material for students - such as power point slides, practice problems, lecture notes. Some content stems from the text. (3) Computer Access to Excel. This course will emphasize using Excel to perform financial calculations, yet a financial calculator may be used, too. It is important for students to know that keystrokes differ between excel and calculators, and among different models of calculators, which can lead to different answers and erroneous financial decisions. (4) A Financial Calculator may be used as an alternative to excel on exams. The most popular one used by students is the shown below, the TI BAII+ that can be purchased for about $30. Instructions are posted in Bb at the link called “Course Postings-Students Only.” 4.0 Course Requirements: Attached to the end of this syllabus is the Course Calendar - a schedule of course topics and assignments required for completion of this course. Depending on class dynamics, we may move more quickly or slowly to enhance the learning environment. Changes may be made at the discretion of the instructor. 5.0 Complete Course Calendar: The complete course calendar is attached to this syllabus. Changes may be made at the discretion of the instructor. The Course Calendar shows the learning outcomes targeted by each particular assessment/exam or assignment. The format of this course requires you to work on your own a great deal. To facilitate your learning, solutions to problems will be posted on Blackboard and can total many pages; hence, be fiscally prudent with any printing. 6.0 Grading Criteria and Rubrics: A maximum of 500 points will be awarded as described below. All grades will be posted in Bb. Exam scores will post in Bb Gradebook immediately upon completion, but detailed scores will be available only after the due dates. Other grades will generally be posted within a week after due date. 4 400 Points from four Exams: Each of the exams will be worth a maximum of 100 points, consisting of multiple choice questions and/or short essays that cover both concepts and calculations. The format of each exam is likely to be a window of several days to complete the exam online and may involve only one attempt, more than one attempt that produces an average of all attempts, or another format that may be a classroom setting; hence, it is important for students to check Bb and be aware of announcements during class to ensure accurate information on assessments. A missed assessment will count as a zero unless prior arrangements have been made with the professor, who reserves the right to allow a missed assessment to be made up by applying its weight to another assessment. Any written assignments will be graded for application of APA style, as well as proper spelling, grammar, writing skills, and content. 5 Points from an online Quiz: Complete timed quiz on corporate identities. 20 Points from four Excel Assignments: Each of the four Excel Assignments will be worth a maximum of 5 points. 75 Points from a Current Event Research Assignment: A topic will be assigned by the instructor and detailed requirements will be posted in Bb. Discussion Boards A specific Discussion Board will be available for student interactions on course topics and other Discussion Boards will be set up for the Quiz and the Current Event Research Assignment. Incomplete Policy: A grade of “Incomplete” can be given only under extenuating circumstances, such as serious illness or other necessary absences. An “Incomplete” must be completed in accordance with university policy. If this does not happen, then the “Incomplete” will be changed to an “F.” If you are not earning at least a “C” in the course, and have not completed most of the course, then an “Incomplete” grade may not be appropriate. Grading Scale will be as described below. A = 90 -100% or 450 - 500 points B = 80 - 89% or 400 - 449 points C = 70 - 79% or 350 - 399 points D = 60 - 69% or 300 - 349 points F = below 60% or below 300 points 7.0 Technology Support and Requirements: 7.1 Technology Support For technological or computer issues, students should contact Help Desk Central. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Email: helpdesk@tamu.edu Phone: (254) 519-5466 Web Chat: http://hdc.tamu.edu When calling for support please let the support technician know you are a TAMUCT student. For issues related to course content and requirements, contact the instructor. 5 7.2 Technology Requirements This course will use the new TAMU-CT Blackboard Learn learning management system for class communications, content distribution, and assessments. Logon to https://tamuct.blackboard.com to access the course. Username: Your MyCT username (xx123 or everything before the "@" in your MyCT e-mail address) Initial password: Your MyCT password For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the Internet. You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a microphone to be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in the course. If you do not have frequent and reliable access to a computer with Internet connection, please consider dropping this course or contact me (your email and phone number) to discuss your situation. Blackboard supports the most common operating systems: PC: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista Mac: Mac OS X Mavericks NOTE: Computers using Windows XP, Windows 8 RT and OS X 10.6 or lower are NO longer supported. Check browser and computer compatibility by following the “Browser Check” link on the TAMU-CTBlackboard logon page. (https://tamuct.blackboard.com) This is a CRITICAL step as these settings are important for when you take an exam or submit an assignment. Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn, you will see a link to Blackboard Student Orientation under My Courses tab. Click on that link and study the materials in this orientation course. The new Blackboard is a brand-new interface and you will have to come up to speed with it really quickly. This orientation course will help you get there. There is also a link to Blackboard Help from inside the course on the left-hand menubar. The first week of the course includes activities and assignments that will help you get up to speed with navigation, sending and receiving messages and discussion posts, and submitting an assignment. Your ability to function within the Blackboard system will facilitate your success in this course. Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement – make sure your computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines. 8.0 Drop and Withdrawal Policy: If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The record’s office will give a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed, and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records office and wait 24 hours, you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. If you are still enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately. You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course. 9.0 Academic Integrity Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students found responsible of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is 6 responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonesty and report the incident to the Associate Director of Student Conduct. More information can be found at http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/studentconduct/facultyresources.php. 10.0 Disability Support Services If you have or believe you have a disability and wish to self-identify, you can do so by providing documentation to the Disability Support Coordinator. Students are encouraged to seek information about accommodations to help assure success in their courses. Please call (254) 501-5831 or visit Founder's Hall 114, Suite 114. Additional information can be found at http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/disabilitysupport/index.php 11.0 Tutoring Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects tutored include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing. Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center in Warrior Hall, Room 111. Visit www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport and click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules and contact info. If you have questions, need to schedule a tutoring session, or if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic Support Programs at 254-5015830 or by emailing tutoring@ct.tamus.edu. Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform that enables TAMUCT students to log-in and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support. This tool provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and Statistics. To access Tutor.com, log into your Blackboard account and click "Online Tutoring." 12.0 Library Services: Library distance education services aims to make available quality assistance to A&M-Central Texas students seeking information sources remotely by providing digital reference, online information literacy tutorials, and digital research materials. Much of the TAMUCT collection is available instantly from home. This includes over half of the library's book collection, as well as approximately 25,000 electronic journals and 200 online databases. Library Distance Education Services are outlined and accessed at: http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/library/deservices.php Information literacy focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help may include, but is not limited to: the exploration of information resources such as library collections, the identification of appropriate materials, and the execution of effective search strategies. Library Resources are outlined and accessed at: http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/library/index.php 13. Additional Information: An important component of a learner-centered syllabus is a section directed to you, a student-scholar that explains the instructor’s teaching philosophy for this course. Here it is: My expectations are for you to develop reasonable proficiency with financial theories and applications to the decision-making process. Current events in finance will be discussed. I hold a special interest in your professional development that stems, in part, from a career in corporate banking prior to specializing in higher education. Specifically, I obtained progressively responsible industry experience during a rapidly changing time in the financial services industry that began with a formal Finance Training Program and advancement to Regional Finance Manager and 7 Vice President of Corporate Banking. I managed professionals in credit, collections and business development, while maintaining relationships with large companies across the U.S. for structured financings, swaps, fx, trust services, cash management, private banking, and other commercial services. Please don’t hesitate to discuss the course or professional development with me, as I never tire of teaching finance and discussing related matters with students! Remember: the best way to reach me is Bb email with FIN 507 in the subject line. 14.0 Course Calendar is below. MODULE 1 Weeks 1, 2, 3 (June 3 – June 22): This module addresses the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) stated below that are also stated in Section 2.1 of this syllabus. A. Create spreadsheets with financial data used to facilitate decision making. B. Draw conclusions about a firm's financial health. G. Discuss the impact of public policy on financial decision making. H. Recognize examples of unethical corporate governance and behavior. Ch 1 Overview of Financial Management and the Financial Environment Ch 2 Financial Statements, Calculation of “Free Cash Flow” and Taxes See Bb posting on OPTIONAL LINKS. Students report positively on the video “Careers in Finance” See Bb posting on Financial Stmt Review (2minutes by Dr. Kelly) See Bb posting for Calculator Tutorial (will need to do arithmetic now, but will do more complex calculations after exams 1 and 1b) See Bb posting for Sample Excel Assignment (Suggestion: do with a split screen showing problem and solution.) See Bb Postings for Power Point Slides, Lecture Notes, Practice Problems, and Preview of Exam Concepts and Procedures used to prepare Financial Stmts Public Policy Impact on Corporate Finance Decisions (Examples: EBITDA, Dividends Paid, etc.) Free Cash Flow Calculations vs. Net Income Calculations EBITDA & other real-world calculations of Free Cash Flow (FCF) FCF in text vs. other texts vs. FCF at www.yahoo.finance Why FCF is calculated vs. Cash Flow Statement vs. GAAP stmts. See Bb posting on OPTIONAL LINKS for video on Law & Order-CI: Tuxedo Hill episode (Previous students recommend this episode. The financial shenanigans and crimes highlight the importance of understanding the language of finance, in addition to calculations, especially the term Free 8 Cash Flow and its most elementary formula called EBITDA. The episode can be purchased at amazon.com for about $3 and runs approximately 45 minutes w/o commercials. ASSESSMENT 1 / EXAM 1 on chaps 1 and 2 due by end of day on date posted in Bb Assessment 1 addresses Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) described in Section 2.1 A, B, G and H. Ch 3 Ratio Analysis with Financial Statements See Text, chapter 3 5 Categories of Ratios and the most common ratios (about 15) 6th Category added in lecture –Productivity Ratios (example: Sales/Total Employees; Sales/Full-time Positions) th 7 Category added as description for Common Size Financial Stmts (see text and know for exams; know Balance Sheet Identity) Review DuPont Equation for ROE (history and usefulness for seeing 3 categories at once thru algebra) Understand Ratio Benchmarks and Window Dressing See Bb posting for Power Point Slides, Lecture Notes, Practice Problems, and Preview of Exam See Bb posting for Video on Ratios beyond text (6 minutes) ASSESSMENT 2 / EXAM 2 due by end of day on date posted in Bb. Assessment 2 addresses Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) described in Section 2.1 A, B, G and H. MODULE 2 Weeks 4, 5 (June 23 – July 6): This module addresses the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) stated below that are also stated in Section 2.1 of this syllabus. A. Create spreadsheets with financial data used to facilitate decision making. C. Explain time value of money concepts for valuation purposes. Ch 5 Introduction to Time Value of Money Concepts and Calculations (“TVM”) Ch 6 Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation Technique See Bb posting on “Excel Tutorial” See Bb posting on “Calculator Tutorial” See Bb posting called “TVM handout.” See Text and Bb Posting on Time Value of Money (TVM) Concepts, Calculations, Applications, and Practice Problems, etc. The following TVM topics are the bulk of this course and we may cover them more quickly or slowly based on class dynamics. (1) Lumps Sums 9 (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Annuities Multiple or Uneven Cash Flows Bonds Stocks (risk measures of beta vs. sigma; risk measures for one stock vs. portfolio; calculating Expected Return vs Historical Return vs Required Return per risk level, etc.; Risk and return per the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH); Modern Portfolio Theory and Diversification; Stock Valuation with the Dividend Discount Model (DDM) vs the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM); Capital Structure Decisions Calculations for WACC and the effects of capital structure on firm value Capital Budgeting Decisions Analyzing the techniques of NPV, IRR and Payback Period See Bb posting on OPTIONAL LINKS for video on Time Value of Money Part I – Lottery: an example of a Present Value-Lump Sum Payment. See Bb posting for TVM Practice Problems-Lump Sums, Annuities, and Uneven Cash Flows See Bb posting for Excel Assignment 1 (due by date of Exam 3) on Lump Sums, Annuities, and Uneven Cash Flow that includes Lecture Notes. (Suggestion: do with a split screen to view both problem and solution.) Ch 7 TVM for Bond Valuation See Bb posting on OPTIONAL LINKS as students report positively on the video “Definition of the Bond Market and how it differs from the Stock Market” See Text and Bb Postings on: Bond Concepts and Calculations. Credit Ratings – know what Investment Grade Rating means vs. High Yield Rating (euphemism for Junk Rating); Know what Sinking Fund means; Know meaning of Callable Bonds and YTC vs. YTM calculations Review Priority of Claims in Bankruptcy for Bonds – secured vs. unsecured; Know what Bond Indenture means, etc. See Bb posting for TVM Practice Problems-Bonds See Bb posting for Excel Assignment 2 (due by date of Exam 3) on Bonds that includes Lecture Notes (Suggestion: do with a split screen to view template and solution.) See Bb posting for Preview of Exam 3 ASSESSMENT 3 / EXAM 3 due by end of day on date posted in Bb. Assessment 2 addresses the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) described in Section 2.1 A and C. MODULE 3 Weeks 6, 7 (July 7 – July 20): 10 This module addresses the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) stated below that are also stated in Section 2.1 of this syllabus. A. Create spreadsheets with financial data used to facilitate decision making. D. Describe a firm’s theoretical stock price using established stock valuation models. We may cover topics in this module more quickly or slowly, based on class dynamics. Ch 8, 12, 13, parts of 17 related to stock dividends See Text and See Bb Postings on: Dividends and Other Distributions to Owners (ch 17) Cash vs. Stock Dividends and Stock Buybacks (ch 17) The Signaling Theory (ch 17) Stock risk measured by σ vs. β (ch 12 and 13) Stock return measured by DDM (ch 8) Stock return measured by CAPM (ch 13) Stock return measured by CAPM vs. DDM vs. Avg of both (ch 13) Portfolio Management -weighting, diversification, risk profile (ch 13) Empirical evidence of stock valuation models (ch 13) EMH and its three forms (ch 12) See Bb Posting for Lecture Notes and Practice Problems on Stock Valuation See Bb Posting for Excel Assignment 3 (due by date of Exam 4) on Stocks using DDM See Bb Posting for Excel Assignment 4(due by date of Exam 4) on Stocks using CAPM See Bb Posting for Preview of Exam 4 ASSESSMENT 4 / Exam 4 due by end of day on date posted in Bb. Assessment 3 addresses the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) described in Section 2.1 A and D. MODULE 4 Week 8 (July 20 – July 25): This module addresses the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) stated below that are also stated in Section 2.1of this syllabus. A. Create spreadsheets with financial data used to facilitate decision making. B. Draw conclusions about a firm's financial health. E. Evaluate a firm's cost of capital used in financial decision making. F. Compare investment decisions using established capital budgeting techniques. G. Discuss the impact of public policy on financial decision making. Ch 14, 16 only key sections related to WACC for TVM Applications for Capital Structure Analysis (WACC is the Weighted Average Cost of Capital) See Bb Posted Materials (as time permits) on: Calculating WACC (ch 14) 11 Discuss empirical evidence suggesting the use of debt tends to increase the value of a firm – leading to the quest for an optimal capital structure that maximizes a firm’s value for the benefit of its owners/shareholders (recall, ch 1) Ch 9, 10 only key sections related to TVM Concepts and Calculations for Capital Budgeting Analysis See Bb Postings on Lecture Notes and Practice Problems (as time permits) on: Capital Budgeting Decisions by NPV, IRR, Payback, and Other Methods NPV and IRR Rules for Acceptance of Project(s) Payback Rules - do not consider TVM at all Capital Rationing Reasons for NPV preference in capital budgeting decisions See Bb Posting for Readings and Research Requirements on a Current Topic in Corporate Finance Research and Writing Assignment due by end of day on date posted in Bb. This writing Assessment / Assignment addresses the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) described in Section 2.1 A, B, E, F and G. 12