Part 2 - Assignment 1: Risk and the Cost of Capital

General Questions:

Respond to the following questions thoroughly, in 150-300 words for each question. Use your textbook as your first and major reference.

1. Differentiate between the real risk free rate and the nominal risk free rate of interest. Which should be used when used to assign value or cost to an asset? Why?

2. What is the beta coefficient and how is it used to adjust for different levels of risk?

3. Explain why the cost of debt is typically different than the cost of equity. Give examples and explain your answers.

Deliverables:

1. Answer the General Questions and post your responses to the Discussion Area by Saturday, September 9, 2017. Be sure to explain your answers thoroughly, use specific examples, and cite your sources.

2. Participate in the discussions, responding to at least two other responses.

Part 2 - Assignment 2: The Cost of Capital

Canyon Drilling, Inc. has just come under new management. One of the first things the new management wants to accomplish is to identify its capital structure and the cost of additional funding, if needed.

According to the accounting department, the current balance sheet is accurate and reflects the financial structure of the company. They have also calculated the marginal tax rate to be 40%. The company's beta is currently 1.15.

Your Chief Financial Officer, Marge, has also provided you the following information about the market and the company's financials:

Required:

• Assuming the same capital structure is to be maintained, what is the optimal capital structure for Canyon Drilling?
• What is the component cost of capital for the firm?
• Calculate Canyon Drilling's after tax weighted average cost of capital, using the information above.

Part 3 - Assignment 1: Capital Budgeting and Estimating Cash Flows

General Questions:

Respond to the following questions thoroughly, in 150-300 words for each question. Use your textbook as your first and major reference.

1. What are the pros and cons of the decision rules for the NPV, the IRR, the MIRR, and the payback methods? Which is the most accurate method and why?

2. What are sunk costs? Should they be included in the cash flow estimation when making a capital budgeting decision? Why or why not?

Part 3 - Assignment 2: Accept or Reject the Project?

In this assignment, you will undertake calculations in order to evaluate a project, and decide if it should be accepted or rejected.

Texas Roks, Inc. is considering a new quarry machine. The costs and revenues associated with the machine have been provided to you for analysis:

Required:

1. Calculate operating cash flow and the change in net working capital.
2. Determine the NPV and IRR of the project.
3. Should the company accept or reject the project based on the NPV? Why?
4. Should the company accept or reject the project based on the IRR? Why?
5. What is your final accept or reject decision? Why?
6. What is the payback period for this project? Would this influence your decision to accept or reject?

Part 4 - Assignment 1: Risk and the Use of Leverage

General Questions:

Respond to the following questions thoroughly, in 150-300 words for each question. Use your textbook as your first and major reference.

1. What are the implications of a change in the return on equity with an increase in debt financing?
2. What is the relationship between business risk, financial risk, and beta (systematic or market risk).
3. Explain how the degree of operating and financial leverage can change the profitability of the firm when sales levels change significantly. Use examples and explain your answers.

Part 4 - Assignment 2: External Funding Requirement and Degree of Leverage

Part One: External Funding Requirement

Your company, Martin Industries, Inc., has experienced a higher than expected demand for its new product line. The company plans to expand its operation by 25% by spending $5,000,000 for an additional building.

The firm would like to maintain its 40% debt to total asset ratio in its capital structure and its dividend payout ratio of 50% of net income. Last year, net income was $2,500,000.

Required:

1. What are retained earnings for last year?
2. How much debt will be needed for the new project?
3. How much external equity must Martin use at the beginning of this year in order to finance the new expansion?
4. If Martin decides to retain all earnings for the coming year, how much external equity will be required?

Part Two: The Degree of Leverage

Assume that two companies, Brake, Inc. and Carbo, Inc., have the following operating results:

Required:

1. Calculate the contribution margins for the two companies.

2. Calculate the break-even point for each firm, in dollars and in units.

3. Compare the two companies. What conclusions could you make regarding the use of operating leverage employed by the two firms?

4. Assume that both companies experience an increase in sales by 15% next year. What would be the operating income for each firm net year? Explain the difference in the change in operating income between the two companies.

5. Based on the information from the above questions, what recommendations would you make to the two companies and why?

Part 5 - Assignment 1: Cash Budgeting

General Questions:

Respond to the following questions thoroughly, in 150-300 words for each question. Use your textbook as your first and major reference.

1. What are the uses of the EOQ model? What questionable assumptions are being made by the EOQ model?
2. What is working capital management? How can a firm improve its management of its working capital accounts?

Part 5 - Assignment 2: Working Capital Management, EOQ, and External Funds

Part One: Working Capital Analysis

Capers, Inc. has just promoted you to Chief financial officer. Since this is a new office in the company, you are understaffed and many of the responsibilities have been assigned to you.

The first task you have been assigned concerns the cash conversion cycle. Your boss has asked that you examine the following data:

1. Inventory conversion period is 60 Days
2. Payables deferral period is 30 days
3. Receivables collection period of 40 days

The second task concerns the cost of bank loans under differing conditions. Specifically:

1. The company needs $1,500,000 for a new project.
2. The loan will cost 10% simple interest, for 4 months, with a 20% compensating balance.

Required:

1. What is the firm's cash conversion cycle?
2. How many times per year is the firm's inventory turnover, if sales are $4,000,000 per year?
3. If sales are all credit sales and amount to $4,000,000 per year, what is the firm's average investment in receivables?
4. What is the nominal interest rate on the loan?

Part Two: Cash Budget

Capers, Inc. is developing its cash budget for the next year. Of Capers' sales, 20% is for cash, another 60% is collected in the month following sale, and 20% is collected in the second month following sale. November and December sales for 2010 were $229000 and $250,000, respectively.

Capers' purchases its raw materials two months in advance of its sales equal to 70% of its final sales price. The supplier is paid one month after it makes delivery. For example, purchases for April sales are made in February, and payment is made in March.

In addition, Capers pays $10,000 per month for rent and $20,000 each month for other expenditures. Tax prepayments for $32,000 are made each quarter beginning in March.

The company's cash balance at December 31, 2010, was $26,000 and minimum balance of $25,000 must be maintained at all times. Assume that any short-term financing needed to maintain cash balance would be paid off in the month following the month of financing if sufficient funds are available.

Interest on short-term loans (12%) is paid monthly. Borrowing to meet estimated monthly cash needs takes place at the beginning of the month. For example, if in the month of April the firm expects to have a need for an additional $60,500, these funds would be borrowed at the beginning of April with interest of $605 (.12 x 1/12 x $60,500) owed for April and paid at the beginning of May.

Required:

• Prepare a monthly cash budget for Capers Inc. covering the first 7 months of 2010.

Part Three: EOQ

Capers Inc. is also initiating an inventory management program using EOQ. Capers needs fastener supplies to manufacture its products. The CFO estimates that the company will need about 250,000 cases next year. The cost of storing cases is about $1.10 each. The ordering cost is $400 for a shipment.

Required:

1. What is the EOQ?
2. How many times will you order?
3. What are the shortcomings of the EOQ? What is your rationale?