FM414      Half Unit
Corporate Investment and Financial Policy

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Ashwini Agrawal

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Finance (full-time), MSc in Finance (full-time) (Work Placement Pathway), MSc in Finance and Private Equity and MSc in Finance and Private Equity (Work Placement Pathway). This course is not available as an outside option.

This course is not capped, any eligible student that requests a place will be given one.

This course does not permit auditing students.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Asset Markets (FM423) and Corporate Finance (FM422).

Course content

This is a case-based course that is geared towards applying corporate finance and investment valuation tools in a variety of real-world settings. Particular emphasis will be placed upon understanding the strengths and limitations of academic approaches to solving real-world problems. We will also discuss when and how these tools are used in various professional settings such as private equity/investment banking, buy-side research, and consulting.  Some of the topics that we will cover include:

  • Valuation of venture-capital based startups
  • Risk management and hedging international currency exposures
  • Valuation techniques for private vs. public firms
  • IPO pricing
  • Determining optimal capital structure
  • Working capital management

Weekly case studies will be assigned and discussed in class.

Teaching

30 hours of seminars in the WT.

This course is taught in the interactive lecturing format. There is no distinction between lectures and classes/seminars; there are “sessions” only, and the pedagogical approach in each session is interactive.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (100%) in the WT.

Key facts

Department: Finance

Total students 2023/24: 110

Average class size 2023/24: 110

Controlled access 2023/24: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness