Students
AFIN353 – Advanced Corporate Finance
2015 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Narelle Gordon
Contact via narelle.gordon@mq.edu.au
Contact by email.
Consultation hours are listed on ilearn
Teaching Assistant
Veronica Chen
Contact via afin353@mq.edu.au
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
6cp at 200 level including (AFIN250 or AFIN252 or AFIN253)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit challenges the student to consider a comprehensive set of factors that influence organisations in their payout, investment and finance decisions within a dynamic framework. The decision might reflect the personality of a CEO, the composition of competitors or expectations about fluctuations in the economy. In this sense, students need to be able to appreciate the differences between theory and practice. Further, students are encouraged to read academic and professional finance journals and the business sections in the daily press. By the end of the unit students should understand: the theoretical and practical implications of the multifaceted nature of risk; the different issues (including flexibility) to be considered, and the different approaches (including real options) available, in valuing risky projects; issues in determining capital structure; the theory and methods used in assessing the costs and benefits of mergers and acquisitions; and the link between corporate governance and finance.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
- Evaluate market versus regulation discussions, including appropriate levels of regulation in the merger and acquisition areas.
- Analyse contemporary debates in the corporate finance literature and in the media, and form views on these debates.
- Investigate the behavior of stakeholders in the corporation following finance and investment decisions, linking this behavior to wealth transfers between stakeholders.
General Assessment Information
It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 20 days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment tasks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Class Test 1 | 5% | Week 4 |
| Class Test 2 - Mid-semester | 20% | Week 7 |
| Group Assignment | 25% | 21st May, 2015 5pm |
| Final Examination | 50% | University Examination Period |
Class Test 1
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 5%
Coverage and Format
Online multiple choice quiz. See ilearn for details.
Extension
No extension.
Penalties
Students who do not attempt this task according to its instructions and as scheduled will be awarded a mark of zero ("0") for the task, except for cases in which an application for disruption to studies is made and approved. Only if approved, is the relative weight of this task added to the relative weight of the mid-semester test.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
Class Test 2 - Mid-semester
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%
Coverage and Format
See ilearn for details.
Extension
No extension.
Penalties
Students who do not attempt this task according to its instructions and as scheduled will be awarded a mark of zero ("0") for the task, except for cases in which an application for disruption to studies is made and approved. Where an application for disruption to studies is approved, a separate supplementary assessment will be required to be undertaken.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
Group Assignment
Due: 21st May, 2015 5pm
Weighting: 25%
Coverage, Format and Submission
See ilearn for details. The Group Assignment report will be submitted electronically, through turnitin on iLearn, as well as by hard copy to BESS. The supporting excel file will be submitted via separate submission box on iLearn.
Extension/Penalties
Students who do not attempt this task according to its instructions will be awarded a mark of zero ("0") for the task except where an application for disruption to studies has been made and approved.
No extensions will be granted. Late tasks will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 20% of the total available mark (i.e 5 marks) made for each 24 hour period, or part thereof, that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late will result in a 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption to srudies is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
- Investigate the behavior of stakeholders in the corporation following finance and investment decisions, linking this behavior to wealth transfers between stakeholders.
Final Examination
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily?
Attempt and submit each assessment task by its scheduled time on the due date. Note: to ‘pass’ the unit overall, students must (a) attain at least a 50% result in the final examination, and (b) attain at least an average of 50% result in the course overall.
Examination conditions
As outlined in the MQ Final Examination Policy.
Supplementary Examination
Further information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available here:
Coverage
See ilearn for details.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
- Evaluate market versus regulation discussions, including appropriate levels of regulation in the merger and acquisition areas.
- Analyse contemporary debates in the corporate finance literature and in the media, and form views on these debates.
- Investigate the behavior of stakeholders in the corporation following finance and investment decisions, linking this behavior to wealth transfers between stakeholders.
Delivery and Resources
Prescribed Text
Berk J. and P. DeMarzo. 2014. Corporate Finance. Global Edition, 3/E, Harlow, UK: Pearson Education Ltd. ISBN 9780273792024
Available for purchase from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop.
Communication Channels
For discussion of subject materials please speak to any of our lecturers and tutors during class, or in consultation or by email. Please keep in mind that most concepts are best explained in person rather than by email where it is difficult to write equations and give examples.
For administrative matters please contact the teaching assistant, Veronica Chen, by email (afin353@mq.edu.au).
Academic Consultation
Staff are available for AFIN353 academic consultation throughout the semester. A schedule of consultation times and locations will be available on iLearn from Week 2.
Lectures and Tutorial Classes
The Unit involves three hours of face-to-face teaching per week, consisting of one lecture (delivered in two streams - Wednesday or Thursday) and one tutorial.
Keep in mind that this is a very difficult but interesting course which you will find rewarding in your corporate and everyday lives. By the end of this course you will be able to confidently value most assets including businesses, stocks, bonds, real estate and options.
Lectures commence in Week 1. Tutorial classes commence in Week 2.
The timetable for lectures and tutorial classes is available at URL https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2015/
Audio and Video Recordings
The Wednesday lecture will be audio and video recorded, though students should not rely on this due to the high probability of equipment malfunction and user error.
Lecture Slides
Available weekly before lecture through iLearn.
Technology Used and Required
The unit will use an on line learning and teaching facility known as iLearn, accessed through the following URL https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ.
Students should monitor iLearn content frequently to ensure timely access to announcements, unit material and assessment information.
To complete the Group Assignment, students will be required to use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
Learning Strategies
Tutorial work will be sourced from different resources, including the prescribed textbook. Tutorial work should be attempted before attending tutorials. Brief solutions will be available weekly through iLearn, usually by the end of the week.
Moreover, we recommend:
1) Sufficient preparation time - for lectures, tutorials and assessment tasks;
2) Attending all lectures and tutorial classes, as per class lists - while attendance is not compulsory tutors keep a record of weekly attendance, which can be consulted for cases in which an application for disruption to studies is made;
3) Attempting tutorial work weekly, before attending class - tutors will not always be able to cover all assigned tutorial work so they will be glad to explain the harder questions if you politely ask;
4) Bringing the lecture notes to lectures and the assigned homework to tutorials.
What has Changed?
The current edition has made minor modifications to some lecture material and assessment tasks.
Unit Schedule
Note: The chapters listed below are the most important for your assessment. But keep in mind that chapters 1-24 are also examinable. You're likely to be familiar with most of them already.
The first half of the course revises concepts learned in the pre-requisite subjects but with more emphasis on how changes in cash flows, leverage, risk and expected returns impact each other and the price of the asset, whether it's a business, stock, bond or property. The last half of the course examines options, mergers, incentives and governance which are more specialised topics.
Week |
Wednesday Date |
Lecture Topics and Chapter |
Tutorial Chapter |
|
1 |
25/02/15 |
DCF and Multiples valuation - Ch 4, 5, 7 and 9. |
No tutorials. |
|
2 |
04/03/15 |
Cash flows and valuation - Ch. 8 and 19. |
Ch 4, 5, 7 and 9. |
|
3 |
11/03/15 |
Estimating the cost of capital - Ch 12.
Investor behavior and capital market efficiency - Ch 13. |
Ch. 8 and 19. |
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4 |
18/03/15 |
Debt and taxes - Ch 14 and 15. Financial distress, managerial incentives, and information - Ch 16. Class test - Online (see ilearn). |
Ch 12 and 13. |
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5 |
25/03/15 |
Capital budgeting and valuation with leverage - Ch 18. |
Ch 14, 15 and 16. |
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6 |
01/04/15 |
Debt financing - Ch 6 and 24. |
Ch 18 and Discuss Class Test 1 |
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Mid semester break. |
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| 7 | 22/04/15 |
Class test (mid-semester) in lectures. |
Ch 6 and 24. |
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8 |
29/04/15 |
Raising equity capital, privatization - Ch 23. |
Discuss Class Test 2 |
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9 |
06/05/15 |
Financial options - Ch 20 and 21. |
Ch 23. |
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10 |
13/05/15 |
Real options - Ch 22. |
Ch 20 and 21. |
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11 |
20/05/15 |
Mergers and acquisitions - Ch 28. Assignment due 21st May at 5pm. |
Ch 22. |
|
12 |
27/05/15 |
Corporate governance - Ch 29. |
Ch 28. |
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13 |
03/06/15 |
Revision. |
Ch 29. |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
- Evaluate market versus regulation discussions, including appropriate levels of regulation in the merger and acquisition areas.
- Analyse contemporary debates in the corporate finance literature and in the media, and form views on these debates.
- Investigate the behavior of stakeholders in the corporation following finance and investment decisions, linking this behavior to wealth transfers between stakeholders.
Assessment tasks
- Class Test 1
- Class Test 2 - Mid-semester
- Group Assignment
- Final Examination
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
- Evaluate market versus regulation discussions, including appropriate levels of regulation in the merger and acquisition areas.
- Analyse contemporary debates in the corporate finance literature and in the media, and form views on these debates.
- Investigate the behavior of stakeholders in the corporation following finance and investment decisions, linking this behavior to wealth transfers between stakeholders.
Assessment tasks
- Class Test 1
- Class Test 2 - Mid-semester
- Group Assignment
- Final Examination
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
- Evaluate market versus regulation discussions, including appropriate levels of regulation in the merger and acquisition areas.
- Analyse contemporary debates in the corporate finance literature and in the media, and form views on these debates.
- Investigate the behavior of stakeholders in the corporation following finance and investment decisions, linking this behavior to wealth transfers between stakeholders.
Assessment tasks
- Class Test 1
- Class Test 2 - Mid-semester
- Group Assignment
- Final Examination
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Proficiency at asset valuation using discounted cash flow and multiples techniques, making appropriate use of market data and accounting reports.
- Choose between alternative quantitative approaches available in corporate finance. Describe benefits and limitations of each.
- Demonstrate adjusting for risk in making corporate finance and investment decisions, including benefits of the real options approach.
- Evaluate market versus regulation discussions, including appropriate levels of regulation in the merger and acquisition areas.
- Analyse contemporary debates in the corporate finance literature and in the media, and form views on these debates.
- Investigate the behavior of stakeholders in the corporation following finance and investment decisions, linking this behavior to wealth transfers between stakeholders.
Assessment task
- Group Assignment
Research and Practice
The major assignment involves in-depth research. To illustrate, students will need to read financial reports, market share price and bond yield data, academic and professional finance journals, the business sections in newspapers and the financial press. They must synthesise this information in developing their own arguments.
There is also an opportunity to scan other sources of information, in doing research. In the on-line databases section of the MQ Library, both Business Source Premier and Factiva, to mention two, are very useful resource tools.