FIN660 Full Course Latest 2018 November

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 1 Discussion

DQ1 In the assigned article, "Making Mergers Succeed," what do dealmakers identify as the key to making M&A succeed?

DQ2 The executives interviewed in the assigned article, "Making Mergers Succeed," were generally positive with respect to the success of M&A activity. In contrast, much of the evidence cited in Chapter 1 of the textbook is critical of M&A activity and its ability to generate gains for stakeholders. How do you reconcile these divergent views? Can they be reconciled? What is your opinion?

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 2 Discussion

DQ1 Go to the Schedule 13D on the "13D Monitor" website. Examine a sample report. What is the most important information contained in that report? Provide a rationale for your answer.

DQ2 Identify and discuss the four overarching questions that must be addressed in developing a viable business plan.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 3 Discussion

DQ1 Using the assigned article, "The Elusive Art of Postmerger Leadership," identify and define five challenges for CEOs and senior managers as they relate to post merger leadership. Which one of those challenges is most crucial?

DQ2 Review the assigned article, "Keeping the Sale of Your Private Company on Track." What are the common preparation mistakes sellers make in preparing to sell their company? Which one of those mistakes is most likely to be fatal? Explain your answer.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 4 Discussion

DQ1 Compare and contrast scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis. Provide an example to help explain your response.

DQ2 What are the tax consequences of acquisitions regarding: (a) most-favorable tax way for the selling shareholder and (b) the most-favorable tax way for the acquirer?

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 5 Discussion

DQ1 What are discount rates and capitalization rates? Explain.

DQ2 What factors might cause business specific risk to go down?

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 6 Discussion

DQ1 Compare and contrast Shareholder Value at Risk (SVAR) with premium risk.

DQ2 Review the table titled "What Is an Acquirer’s Risk in an All-Cash Deal?" in the Harvard Business Review article, "Stock or Cash?: The Trade-Offs for Buyers and Sellers in Mergers and Acquisitions." Assume that the acquirer is smaller than the target. What does the table indicate given this assumption?

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 7 Discussion

DQ1 Which two issues do you consider as being the most difficult to resolve in a joint venture alliance? Frame your answer to include anticipated key points of differences from both participants and the most likely resolution.

DQ2 Find and discuss three articles that address how corporate culture impacts strategic alliances.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 8 Discussion

DQ1 Describe and differentiate between what the terms spin-offs, carve-outs, split-ups, and split-offs mean. Provide examples to illustrate your descriptions.

DQ2 Compare and contrast tracking, targeted, and letter stocks. Provide specific examples to illustrate their similarities and differences.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 1 Assignment

Overview of Mergers and Acquisitions

Review Table 1-1 in the textbook and Figure 1-2 in the lecture.

In a 750-1,000 word paper, identify the type of corporate restructuring that fits with common theories of what are assumed to be causes of mergers and acquisitions.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 2 Assignment

Planning M&A Activity Essay

Read the assigned article "What Should You Expect From a Merger Advisor?"

In a 750-1,000-word essay compare and contrast advisor characteristics important to a firm that is seeking a target to acquire versus advisor characteristics important to a firm that is an acquisition target. Present specific details from the reading and critically elaborate and defend your points using personal experience.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 3 Assignment

Case Response Assignment

Review the Chapter 5 Case Study: "Goggle's Foray into 'Device Makers' in Its Search for the Next Big Thing" and the Chapter 6 Case Study: "Has Proctor & Gamble Fully Recovered From Its 2005 Acquisition of Gillette?" in the textbook and respond to the questions related to each case.

After responding to the case study questions, provide a 500-word argument as to which lesson learned was the most important in the reading. Justify your answer using specific points from both cases.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 4 Assignment

Practice Problems and Analysis

Read the assigned article, "Are You Paying Too Much for That Acquisition?" by Eccles, Lanes, and Wilson, from Harvard Business Review (1999).

In the textbook, complete the following problems.

Problem 7.11 (Show calculations for a, b, and c.)

Problem 7.12 (Show calculations for a and b.)

Using information from "Are You Paying Too Much for That Acquisition?" address the following with a minimum of 500 words.

List and describe the components used to calculate synergy value.

Critically evaluate which component is most underestimated. Explain your answer.

Using the attached spreadsheet "Excel-Based M&A Valuation and Structuring Model," open the worksheet labeled BP APP B2 and study the Net Sales Growth Rate for 2002-2005. Next, open the worksheet labeled BP APP B1 and study the 2006-2010 Net Sales Growth Forecasts. Lastly, reference "Are You Paying Too Much for That Acquisition?" to identify the basis or rationale for justifying the 2006-2010 forecasts.

APA format is required for essays only. Solid academic writing is always expected. For all assignment delivery option, documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 5 Assignment

Paper and Case Study Analysis

Read the Chapter 10 Case Study: "Shell Game: STK Steakhouse Chain Goes Public Through a Reverse Merger" in the textbook.

In 500-750 words, distinguish the differences between the terms fair market value and fair value. Provide examples real world references of each term to substantiate your understanding of the concepts. Also, develop a table that summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of the four approaches to the valuation of private equity.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 6 Assignment

Case Study Analysis

Read the Chapter 11 Case: "T-Mobile and Metropcs Complete a Multibillion Dollar Merger" and the Chapter 12 Case: "Softbank Places a Big Bet on the U.S. Telecom Market" from the textbook.

In a minimum of 500 words, reference the cases and the findings in the assigned article, "Corporate Financing Decisions When Investors Take The Path of Least Resistance," with regards to stock-for-stock mergers. Provide an explanation of how their data compare with concepts presented in the textbook reading. Provide specific examples to support your statement.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 7 Assignment

Case Study Assignment

Read the Chapter 13 Case: "Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Buy American Food Icon Heinz" and the Chapter 14 Case: "Thermo Fisher Acquires Life Technologies" from the textbook and respond to the questions related to each case using a minimum of 750 words.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

FIN660 Advanced Financial Strategies

Week 8 Assignment

Case Study Assignment

Read the Chapter 16 Case: "The Anatomy of a Spin-Off - Northrop Grumman Exits the Shipbuilding Business" and the Chapter 18 Case: "Ireland-Based Drug Maker Actavis Buys U.S. Pharmaceuticals Firm Forest Labs" in the textbook and respond to the questions related to each case using a minimum of 750 words.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.