Brian is running a technology firm and is asking you to act as his firm’s CFO. He has no idea
of what corporate finance is about and would like you to introduce its objective and how this
objective is achieved through decisions made in various areas. In response to Brian’s enquiry,
please write an essay on the major topics we have discussed in the course “Corporate
Finance”, which should include discussion on:
The objective of corporate finance. The stakeholders involved, the potential conflicts
among them, and potential remedies to solve these conflicts.
In making investment decisions, how to determine the appropriate hurdle rate for
investors? What are the important factors that will be involved in determining the hurdle
rates? How to calculate the investment return? Are there different ways to calculate
investment returns? If yes, please discuss how each approach is used. What are the pros
and cons of each approach? How to make investment decisions accordingly?
In making financing decisions, how to determine the optimal financing mix of a firm? Are
there different approaches to do so? If yes, please describe the approaches that we have
discussed in lectures and how they work. What are the pros and cons of each approach?
In making the dividend decisions, how to determine the appropriate cash that should be
returned to investors? Are there different ways to do the calculation? Explain how each
approach works.
REQUIRED
For the comprehensive essay question, the grading will be made
based on whether you demonstrate a deep and solid understanding of the contents we
have discussed during the course in a clear and logical way. four points listed above provide guidance for the essay. Your essay should address all the
questions that have been raised, and you are expected to do appropriate elaboration to
introduce related topics. Simply copying and pasting lectures notes will result in low grades.
The grading will be made based on whether you demonstrate a deep and solid understanding
of the contents we have discussed during the course in a clear and logical way. Word limit for
this essay: no more than 2000 words. [100 Marks]