FM431M      Half Unit
Corporate Finance A

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Juanita Gonzalez Uribe

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Economics and Management. This course is available on the Global MSc in Management, MSc in Accounting and Finance, MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, MSc in Economics, MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme) and MSc in Risk and Finance. This course is not available as an outside option.

Global MSc in Management ('Accounting and Finance' and 'Finance' concentrations only).

This course is available with permission on the Diploma in Accounting and Finance with the approval of the Programme Director. This course is not available as an outside option.

Outside students should consider taking FM474 Managerial Finance as an alternative option.

This course cannot be combined with FM430 Corporate Finance and Asset Markets or FM474 Managerial Finance.   

Pre-requisites

Basic Mathematics and Statistics knowledge. The course is self-contained but it covers a broad set of topics. Some prior knowledge of economics, finance and accounting is advised.

Course content

The course covers range of topics in corporate finance starting with capital budgeting techniques, in relation to CAPM and other valuation instruments. The course then proceeds identifying the driving forces behind capital structure decisions and choices over debt and equity finance. Special consideration is given to the tax implications of those choices, the possible costs of financial distress, the incentive implications of financial decisions and the signalling impact of those for financial market participants. A final part of the course covers some specific topics in corporate finance: decision to go public, mergers and acquisitions and start-up finance (time permitting).

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the MT.

Formative coursework

Students will be set  weekly problem set assignments. Solutions and guidance will be provided during the weekly seminar classes. The final seminar class, students will solve a formative mock exam. Students will receive individual feedback on the mock exam prior to the final exam.

Indicative reading

J. Berk and P. DeMarzo, Corporate Finance, Pearson International Edition. Full details of reading will be specified in the Course Programme and Reading List which will be distributed at the first lecture.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes, reading time: 10 minutes) in the summer exam period.

Please note this exam is the half unit version of the examination taken on FM430 Corporate Finance and Asset Markets. Any student who takes both FM429 and FM431 will be re-registered to sit the FM430 full-unit exam paper in Summer Term.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Finance

Total students 2019/20: 64

Average class size 2019/20: 18

Controlled access 2019/20: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Problem solving
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Specialist skills