Finance Case

FIN 377-4: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS (Spring 2011)

Instructor: Dr. Kamm, Department of Finance, GSB 5.124C

Email: kelly.kamm@mccombs.utexas.edu

Instructor Office Hours: 2-3:30 Tuesday and Thursday

T.A.s: John Friesen and Dan Zablotney, MBA Students

Section 03130: 11-12:30 CBA 4.348; reserved days in trading center

Required Tutorial: Yield Curves and Bond Ratings Tutorial

Required Reading Packet: Packet of Harvard, Ivey, Stanford, Darden Cases

Course Notes: Overhead notes, spreadsheets, major assignments etc. posted to Blackboard

Suggested Subscription: WSJ (subscribe); helpful in stock research and papers

Financial Calculator Required: Financial Calculator HP 10b11 or 17b11

Financial Software: Bloomberg, Stock-Trak stock, bond, and other asset simulation

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Financial Analysis is designed for finance majors in order to improve their skills at analyzing companies and to advance their knowledge of finance theory and application. The overall financial analysis includes: bond valuation, financial statement analysis, financial ratios, financial forecasting, beta and the CAPM, the weighted average cost of capital, the Gordon Growth model, discounted cash flow analysis and multiples. Students are expected to integrate skills of finance, economics, and accounting in the course. The course is quantitative and analytical in nature; we made use of the trading center throughout most of the term. Students calculate and interpret financial data, build spreadsheet models, and make general conclusions about the financial health of a company and its intrinsic value.

In this course a combination of methods is utilized with special emphasis on student involvement and teamwork. The professor reviews terms and theory, asks questions, demonstrates techniques, assigns problems and guides students in their case preparation. Students take a very active part in this class. Much of the learning in this course will take place outside of the classroom as students work on problem sets, invest $500,000 across various assets in a simulated portfolio, and prepare the paper and presentation. The emphasis on student involvement encourages students to learn by doing and encourages the self-motivation so important to the workplace.

The course concludes with current case study applications on different types of companies in a variety of industry groups. By this time students will be formed in formal groups of 4-5 people. Students implement valuation models to determine “fair value” for a company’s stock. In debate fashion, students present their financial analysis and argue that the stock is currently priced correctly or alternatively overvalued (undervalued). The WSJ (interactive edition) and market data on the Internet will be important sources of information for student learning and research. Most groups get along well with the usual “bumps in the road.” More serious problems shall be brought to the attention of the professor.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Some of the objectives of this course include:

• Improved ability to analyze and value companies in different industries using skills of finance, accounting and economics.

• Greater understanding of the business strategy and financial ratios of well-known companies in various industries.

• Review of major accounting and finance principles. Improved forecasting and valuation skills.

• Improved ability with Excel tools and better familiarity with financial data programs.

• Improved presentation, communication, and analytical skills. Improved ability to work in a team.

• Greater understanding of the financial issues and problems occurring at the current time.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

Professional behavior is expected in the classroom. Arriving on time, excellent attendance, being attentive and participating are all essential for the success of the class. Electronic devices are prohibited during class; computers shall be used only for the class material being worked on at the moment. Please provide documentation via email for absences. Adherence to the above expectations helps ensure a high participation / evaluation grade. Inability to meet these expectations will lead to a lowering of the final participation / evaluation grade.

EVALUATION:

Final grades will be determined as follows:

Two Tests (Individual Grade) 40%

There will be two tests; each test will have a multiple choice section counting for about 40% of the grade and a problem solving / analysis / short essay counting for about 60% of the grade. The first counts for 15% and the second for 25% of the final grade. The tests will evaluate students’ understanding of the material covered to date. The tests primarily cover material only in that unit; to the degree that the material builds the tests include such material. The in-class tests include theory and case questions, problems requiring application and interpretation (including working with a spreadsheet, financial statement, or trading center handout) and current events questions. You may bring a financial calculator and an 8 by 11 piece of paper with notes or formulas written on one side only. In the case that a test is missed with an excused absence, the student will take a cumulative final at the end of the term.

Case Presentation with Supporting Work (Group Grade with Individual Component) 10%

Each group will present a case to the class. The presentation should be about 30-40 minutes. Approach the case as though you were in a case competition and work through any analytical or modeling issues proposed in the case. Primarily in your presentation, walk the class through the primary points and issues in the case. Your goal is to educate your peers at a deeper level. The power-point presentation will be emailed to me and posted to Blackboard to share with your peers. Your presentation and

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