Usec Inc.

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Kenneth M. Eades ◽  
Ben Mackovjak ◽  
Lucas Doe
Keyword(s):  
Stock Price ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Discounted Cash Flow ◽  
Important Input

This case is designed to present students with the challenges of formulating a discounted-cash-flow (DCF) analysis for a strategically important capital-investment decision. Analytically, the problem is representative of most corporate investment decisions, but it is particularly interesting because of the massive size of the American Centrifuge Project and the potential of the project to significantly affect the stock price. Students must determine the relevant cash flows, paying close attention to the treatment of input costs, selling prices, timing of investment outlays, depreciation, and inflation. An important input is the appropriate cost of uranium, which some students argue should be included at book value, while others argue that market value should be used. Although the primary objective of the case is to focus on the estimation of cash flows, students are provided with a straightforward set of inputs to estimate USEC's weighted average cost of capital. The case is designed for students who are learning, or need a refresher on, DCF analysis. Because of the basic issues covered, the case works well with undergraduate, MBA, and executive-education audiences. The case also affords the opportunity to explore a variety of issues related to capital-investment analysis, including relevant costs, incremental analysis, cost of capital, and sensitivity analysis. The case is an excellent example of the value of a firm as the value of assets in place plus the net present value of future growth opportunities.

Aurora Textile Company

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Kenneth M. Eades ◽  
Lucas Doe
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Textile Industry ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
List Type ◽  
Discounted Cash Flow ◽  
Cost Information

This case asks the student to decide whether Aurora Textile Company can create value by upgrading its spinning machine to produce higher-quality yarn that sells for a higher margin. Cost information allows the student to produce cash-flow projections for both the existing spinning machine and the new machine. The cash flows have many different cost components, including depreciation, the number of days of cotton inventory, and the liability costs associated with returns from retailers. The cost of capital is specified in order to simplify the analysis. The analysis has added complexity, however, owing to the troubled financial condition of both the company and the U.S. textile industry, which is in decline as manufacturers migrate to Asia to benefit from lower manufacturing costs. This begs the question whether management should invest in a declining business or harvest the company by paying out all profits as a dividend to the owners. The case is suitable for students just beginning to learn finance principles, but is also rich enough to use with experienced students and executives. The primary learning points are as follows: The basics of incremental-cash-flow analysis: identifying the cash flows relevant to a capital-investment decision The construction of a side-by-side discounted-cash-flow analysis for a replacement decision How to adapt the NPV decision rule to a troubled or dying industry The effect of financial distress on the NPV calculation The importance of sensitivity analysis to a capital-investment decision

A New Approach to Capital Budgeting in Closely-Held Firms and Small Firms

1981 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas H. McInish ◽  
Ronald J. Kudla
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Capital Budgeting ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Separation Principle ◽  
Discount Rates ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Investor Returns

The traditional application of the net present value method in capital budgeting involves the use of market derived discount rates such as the cost of capital. Justification of these discount rates stems from the separation principle that states that investment decisions can be made independent of shareholders' tastes and preferences. The purpose of this paper is to show that the separation principle does not hold for closely-held firms and small firms, and, accordingly, market-derived discount rates are inappropriate. Two capital budgeting techniques which are appropriate for these firms are presented. Accept/reject decisions for capital budgeting projects are often made using a technique known as “net present value” (NPV).1 Using the NPV method, acceptable projects are those for which the project's cost is less than the present value of the project's cash flows discounted at the firm's cost of capital; in other words, acceptable projects have a positive NPV. The firm's cost of capital is usually taken to be the weighted average of the firm's cost of equity and debt as measured by investor returns in the capital markets. Justification for use of a discount rate, determined by reference to market-wide investor returns, is based on “the separation principle” which asserts that corporations can make capital budgeting decisions independently of their shareholders' views.2 But because a critical assumption of the separation principle is that shares are readily marketable, it is likely that the separation principle and, hence, market-determined discount rates are inappropriate for closely-held firms and small firms.3 In this paper, we discuss two capital budgeting approaches which are applicable to firms whose shares are not readily marketable. This paper is divided into five sections. First, we discuss the traditional net present value approach to capital budgeting and, then, we indicate in detail, why it may not be suitable for use by closely-held firms and small firms. In the third and fourth sections, we explain two capital budgeting techniques which may be appropriate for use by these firms. Finally, we summarize our conclusions.

scholarly journals Startup Bisnis Sebagai Alaternatif Investasi

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-96
Author(s):  
Ika Yanuarti ◽  
Helena Dewi
Keyword(s):  
Stock Price ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Discounted Cash Flow ◽  
Investment Activity ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Financial Report ◽  
One Year ◽  
Real Assets

Abstract   The main purpose of the investment activity is to obtain profits for both the company and the investor. To generate profits for investors, the company requires initial capital to manage its operational to do business. In general, investors will make investment decisions based on the intrinsic value of the company or based on the growth of the company’s profitability from the previous period. To measure those reference, investors needs historical data of financial reports as a baseline to calculate and for comparison. The barriers for startup companies are the lack or unavailability of historical financial data due to the age of startups more likely in the early stages (less than or equal to one year). This research uses the method of discounted cash flows based on the company's financial report. The rates of return to discount the cashflow are based on return from real assets, such as gold and property and stock price as financial asset. The result shows that the company is good enough to be one of investment alternative since its net present value is positive for all rate of return and its payback period is relatively short.   Key words Discounted Cash flow, Intrinsic Value, Startup Company, Angel Investors  

scholarly journals Role of debt-to-equity ratio in project investment valuation, assessing risk and return in capital markets

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasishta Bhargava Nukala ◽  
S. S. Prasada Rao
Keyword(s):  
Stock Price ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Equity Capital ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Equity Risk ◽  
Equity Ratio

AbstractIn this paper, a case study was performed with an aim to analyze the asset returns for two different companies and the risk and returns from capital projects using standard capital asset pricing method. To demonstrate how the present values of future cash flows are influenced by discount rates when the debt-to-equity capital structure ratio is varied between 0 and 2.5 debt-to-equity. The breakeven sensitivity was also conducted in relation to different gross margin ratios of company. It was found that high value of debt-to-equity ratio yielded a flatter net present value with increase in gross margins. Capital appraisal techniques were applied to illustrate the project returns and annual cash flows and its relationship with change in cost of capital. Analysis showed that when average cost of capital is increased beyond threshold value, the net present value from the firm’s project investments reduced significantly. A covariance analysis was performed to determine individual returns from two stocks traded in BSE Sensex and S&P 500 indices using the beta values. Comparing the individual and total returns of two stocks revealed that returns not only increased with increasing beta values–but also varied with earnings potential, growth rate of firm, dividend payout ratios and trading stock price. The standard deviation on portfolio of two stocks has been computed for varying asset weight ratios. It has been found that positive correlation between two stocks increased equity risk when weight ratios are not balanced in portfolio, while a negative correlation reduced equity risk.

scholarly journals "What If" Analyses in Investment Decision Making

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-16
Author(s):  
Katarína Belanová
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Discounted Cash Flow ◽  
Basic Approach ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Future Cash Flows

In general, each project`s value is estimated using a discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation, and the opportunity with the highest value, as measured by the resultant net present value (NPV) will be selected. The problem with such NPV estimates is that they depend on projected future cash flows. If there are errors in those projections, then estimated net present values can be misleading (a forecasting risk). Basic approach to evaluating cash flow and NPV estimates involves asking “what – if” questions. Accordingly, the paper discusses some organized way s of going about a what – if analysis. Its goal in doing so is to assess the degree of forecasting risk and to identify those elements that are the most critical to the success or failure of an investment. However, as we show in examples, as well as in the practical study, though what – if analysis really allows us to obtain the certain idea of degree of forecasting risk, it does not tell us what to do about the possible errors.

scholarly journals Decision Making for Project Appraisal in Uncertain Environments: A Fuzzy-Possibilistic Approach of the Expanded NPV Method

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Konstantinos A. Chrysafis ◽  
Basil K. Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Fuzzy Numbers ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Project Appraisal ◽  
Equity Cost ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Intelligent Methods

The major drawback of the classic approaches for project appraisal is the lack of the possibility to handle change requests during the project’s life cycle. This fact incorporates the concept of uncertainty in the estimation of this investment’s worth. To resolve this issue, the authors use fuzzy numbers, possibilistic moments of fuzzy numbers and the hybrid (fuzzy statistic) fuzzy estimators’ method in order to introduce a fuzzy possibilistic version of the expanded net present value method (FPeNPV). This approach consists of two factors: the fuzzy possibilistic NPV and the fuzzy option premium. For the estimation of the fuzzy NPV, some basic assumptions are taken into consideration: (1) the opportunity cost of capital, used as the present value interest factor calculated through the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), (2) the equity cost, determined through the possibilistic set-up of the capital asset pricing model CAPM, and (3) the inflation factor, also included in the estimation of the NPV. The fuzzy estimators’ method is used for the computation of the fuzzy option premium. An algorithm of nine major steps leads to the computation of the FPeNPV. This gives the administration the opportunity to adapt to potential changes in the company’s internal and external environments. In this way, the symmetry between the planning and execution phase of a project can be reinstated. The results validate the statement that fuzzy and intelligent methods remain valuable tools to express uncertainty in various scientific areas. Finally, an illustrative example aims at a thorough comprehension of this new approach of the expanded NPV method.

Cost of capital and asset characteristic value

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150007
Author(s):  
Bill Y. Shen
Keyword(s):  
Stock Price ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Secondary Market ◽  
Credit Spread ◽  
Structure Model ◽  
Characteristic Value ◽  
Option Theory ◽  
The Cost

We propose a possible alternative to WACC as cost of capital for a business investment decision through option theory. The cost of capital in this new definition becomes forward-looking and easy to compute with traded market information as inputs. More importantly, it is a fair value- based approach and does not depend on investors’ own expectation. An important parameter “asset characteristic value” is identified and its role is further illustrated by using Merton’s capital structure model. Asset characteristic value can be calibrated by using stock price or credit spread observed from a secondary market.

Profitability, risk and cash flow deficit for beginning cow–calf producers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos J.O. Trejo-Pech ◽  
Jared Bruhin ◽  
Christopher N. Boyer ◽  
S. Aaron Smith
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Opportunity Cost ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Discounted Cash Flow ◽  
Production Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Values ◽  
Cow Calf

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to estimate the amount of cash flow deficit, if any, needed to maintain the operating costs and service debt of a startup cow–calf enterprise. The study compares long-term profitability and risk between starting small and building a herd to full carrying capacity or by starting at desired herd capacity.Design/methodology/approachA dynamic cattle growth model was developed to capture expanding and maintaining the desired herd size. Discounted cash flow (DCF) models over a 15-year period were calculated to estimate net present value (NPV), modified internal rate of return (MIRR) and cash flow deficit to keep the business operating and service debt. Simulation analyses were conducted considering price and production risk.FindingsStarting at the desired herd size was preferred, according to NPV/MIRR and cash flow deficit, but the differences were not substantial. Assuming the operation is liquidated at book values, there was a 36.3% probability of this enterprise having a zero or positive NPV. If the conservative terminal value assumption is relaxed up to feasible market values, the cow–calf enterprise is economically attractive at an estimated 2.4% opportunity cost of capital. However, the producer would experience a cash flow deficit during the first seven years, which was simulated to be $14,892 and $15,985 annual for both strategies.Originality/valueInnovative methods used in this study include varying the annual opportunity cost of capital as a function of financing decisions, stochastic prices by cattle type and stochastic weaning weights that are a function of a dynamic cattle model.

The Weitzman Argument

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Gollier
Keyword(s):  
Discount Rate ◽  
Opportunity Cost ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Simple Rule ◽  
Rate Of Return ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Net Benefits

This chapter examines a model in which the exogeneous rate of return of capital is constant but random. Safe investment projects must be evaluated and implemented before this uncertainty can be fully revealed, i.e., before knowing the opportunity cost of capital. A simple rule of thumb in this context would be to compute the net present value (NPV) for each possible discount rate, and to implement the project if the expected NPV is positive. If the evaluator uses this approach, this is as if one would discount cash flows at a rate that is decreasing with maturity. This approach is implicitly based on the assumptions that the stakeholders are risk-neutral and transfer the net benefits of the project to an increase in immediate consumption. Opposite results prevail if one assumes that the net benefit is consumed at the maturity of the project.

Amazon and Whole Foods: adventures in grocery shopping

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-153
Author(s):  
Susan White
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Stock Price ◽  
Private Equity ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Grocery Shopping ◽  
Discounted Cash Flow ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Press ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Whole Foods

Theoretical basis This case focuses on valuation using various methods to price a firm. Students attempting this case should know the basics of how to value a company using discounted cash flow, comparable multiples and comparable transactions. Students will need to calculate the weighted average cost of capital using comparable companies and the capital asset pricing model and determine differences in value created by an acquisition vs a leveraged buyout (LBO). The case also discusses qualitative issues in mergers, such as fit between target and acquirer, integration issues, potential high debt from LBO. Research methodology This case was library-researched, using Amazon and Whole Foods public filings and business press papers. Case overview/synopsis Whole Foods Markets received a buyout offer from Amazon. Whole Foods could solicit offers from other firms, including firms more directly in the grocery business. Whole Foods also considered a management buyout or purchase by a private equity firm. Whole Foods had underperformed, with a falling stock price and reduced profitability. Amazon’s bid was attractive, a premium of about 40 per cent over Whole Foods’ pre-merger stock price. Whole Foods also wanted to consider issues such as culture. Whole Foods’ strategy was to sell organic foods at premium prices, while Amazon was a retail discounter with a largely online business. Complexity academic level This case is appropriate for graduate students at the end of their introductory course or for graduate or undergraduate students in a corporate finance elective, particularly a merger/restructuring elective. The case has been used in an advanced undergraduate finance elective, with a team presenting the case to the class, with remaining students in the class required to write case summaries and questions for the presenting group.

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