[SOLVED] ACFIM0035 Fundamentals of Corporate Finance

UNIT CODE: ACFIM0035

UNIT NAME: Fundamentals of Corporate Finance

December 2024

Overview

•     Your summative coursework accounts for 100% of the final mark for the unit.

•     The coursework consists of three pieces of reports (see detailed instructions below).

•     Penalties will apply if the coursework is submitted late.

•     The coursework is an individual piece of work – you should work on this yourself and NOT as a

group. You will be required to submit a plagiarism statement, and your submission will be checked for originality.

•     A maximum word limit has been set for each of the three reports. You must provide the word count for each report on the cover page. There is no minimum word requirement.

Coursework requirement

You are expected to prepare three separate reports in accordance with the below requirements:

Report A (50%, maximum 1,600 words)

Green-Globe, a UK-based all-equity financed environmental solutions company, is considering expanding  its operations into the renewable energy sector by launching a new wind farm project. The project will be financed partially with debt. As an independent consultant, you have been hired to assess the feasibility of this investment project and provide a comprehensive evaluation report.

Tasks:

•     Conduct a detailed investment feasibility study for Green-Globe’s potential wind farm project. You must apply and discuss at least two appropriate investment appraisal methods (the Net Present Value approach must be included) to evaluate the project’sviability.

•     Create your own estimates for the project’s projected financials. You can create your own estimates without sourcing real-world data. These should include elements such as the project’s duration (e.g., five years), investment size (e.g., £1 million), revenue forecasts, operating costs, tax  implications, financing channels, estimated cost of capital, etc. Clearly define and justify all assumptions you use in the calculation.

•     Provide a critical discussion on how key factors, such as capital structure, financing options, cost of capital, and macroeconomic variables (e.g., inflation, tax rates), might influence your appraisal results.

•     Include numerical illustrations and explain each step of your calculations for the chosen investment appraisal techniques. Ensure transparency in your approach, discussing how variations in key assumptions might impact the project evaluation.

•     Based on your findings, provide a recommendation on whether Green-Globe should pursue this investment. Additionally, discuss any potential risks and non-financial factors that should be considered in the final decision.

Report B (25%, maximum 750 words)

As a financial analyst at a consulting firm, you have been approached by Weston Ltd, a publicly listed pharmaceutical company that is reviewing its payout policy. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company has consistently reported positive earnings and has acquired 15-year patents for new  drugs targeting Covid-related side effects. The company’s management seeks your advice on determining an optimal payout policy to enhance shareholder value. Your task is to produce a comprehensive report that evaluates key aspects of payout policies and provides recommendations based on theoretical and practical considerations.

Tasks:

•     Explain the concept of payout policy and discuss the rationale behind the company’s choice of an optimal payout policy.

•     Use numerical examples to illustrate how Weston Ltd’spayout policy may affect its shareholder value. You may create your own estimates and assumptions without relying on real-world data.

•     Based on your analysis,  recommend an optimal  payout policy that maximizes shareholder value. Support your recommendation with empirical evidence from academic research.

Report C (25%, maximum 750 words)

As a financial consultant, you have been hired by a publicly listed fashion retailer, Trendora Ltd, to recommend an optimal capital structure that maximizes shareholder value. Trendora Ltd’s current debt ratio is 0.2. Your task is to provide a comprehensive report that evaluates the company’s current capital structure and explores whether a higher debt level would be beneficial.

Tasks:

•     Explain the concept of capital structure and discuss the theories that guide the choice of an optimal capital structure.

•     Provide numerical examples of how Trendora Ltd’s capital structure choice affects  its shareholder value. You can use reasonable estimates of key financial parameters.

•     Based on your analyses, recommend whether Trendora Ltd should increase, decrease, or maintain its current capital structure. Support your arguments with relevant academic research findings.