Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description The purpose of this module is to provide students with an understanding of how firms acquire resources, and allocate them among the firms present and potential activities and projects. Our perspective is that of the financial manager who must determine the best method for finding and allocating capital to increase the wealth of the firms shareholders. The objective of this course is, therefore, to equip the corporate manager with the tools and techniques available to create value from the firms financing and investment decisions. Concepts such as corporate objectives, business risk, financial risk and the valuation of financial assets are studied. Major policy areas of the firm covering investment appraisal, optimal capital structure, dividend payout and treasury policy are also examined. Special emphasis is placed on long-term managerial policies and the relevance of corporate finance to the accountant. Students will actively participate in weekly lectures. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Identify the role of the finance manager and discuss the internal and external influences on business finance decision making. 2. Identify the relevant cash flows for investment appraisal. Evaluate different investments using various invemnet appraisal methods. 3. Identify key factors that influence the methods by which a company funds its operations 4. Calculate the cots of debt/equity and the overall weighted cost of capital. 5. In dividend policy discuss the traditional, residual and irrelevancy theories highlighting the differences between the three. 6. Select the appropriate hedging product for use in hedging currency exposure in different circumstances 7. How corporate restructuring can enhance shareholder value 8. Recognise the broader international, economic, social and environmental contexts in which business is conducted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction to Corporate & Investment Finance This section introduces students to the concepts of financial management and its relationship with corporate strategy, the role of the Financial Manager, review of the time value of money, valuation of bonds and shares. The economic environment for business and financial management.How shares are traded. How shares are valued. Calculation of the capitalisation rate. Relationship between interest rates and the price of bonds. Sources of finance. Investment Decisions The nature and role of financial markets, institutions and money markets. Value creation and corporate investment. Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Accounting rate of Return, Profitability Index. Replacement Decision. Annual equivalent annuity method. The effect of tax on investment decisions. The effect of inflation and taxation in DCF. Dealing with risk in investment decisions - probability, sensitivity and scenario analysis. Choosing among alternative projects. Risk and Return Calculation of the expected return and standard deviation of a single share and a two asset portfolio. Covariance and correlation coefficient. Choosing the optimal portfolio. Effects of diversification when returns are not perfectly correlated. International diversification.The capital market line. CAPM and APT. Capital Structure The firm's capital structure decision is examined, both theoretically and practically. The interaction of investment and financing decisions is studied. Calculation of equity capital, retained earnings, tradable debt, and preference shares. Calculating weights, market values and overall weight average cost of debt. Look at the effect of gearing on a firm. The effect of gearing on the WACC. The traditional and Modigliani and Miller's approach to capital structure. Efficient Market Hypothesis. Agency theory. Pecking order theory. Managing Risk Using options, forwards, futures forward rate agreements to manage risk. Caps, floors, collars and swaps. The effects of exchange-rate changes. Volatility in foreign exchange. The foreign exchange markets. Types of foreign exchange risk. Transaction risk strategies - money market - netting - forwards - futures - options. Managing translation and economic risk. Purchasing power parity and interest rate parity. Dividend Policy Dividend irrelevancy hypothesis - factors affecting a firm's dividend and retention policy.Modigliani/Miller's dividend irrelevancy proposition. Dividends as conveyors of information.Tax implications. Clientele effects. Dividends as a residual. Share buy-backs and special dividends. Mergers and Acquisitions The merger decision - synergy - market power - economies of scale - entry to new markets. Sources of finance, internal/external, debt/equity. The merger process. The impact of mergers. Who gains from mergers. Tactics used to defend against a hostile takeover. Company valuation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||