Personal Finance Part 1
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Questions and Answers

How does an increase in financial leverage typically affect Return on Common Equity (ROCE), assuming positive net income?

  • ROCE remains unaffected as financial leverage only impacts debt holders.
  • ROCE increases as financial leverage amplifies returns to common equity holders. (correct)
  • ROCE initially increases but then decreases due to bankruptcy risk.
  • ROCE decreases due to higher interest expenses.
  • Which of the following is generally considered the final step in the financial forecasting process?

  • Projecting capital expenditures.
  • Projecting the income statement.
  • Projecting the balance sheet.
  • Projecting the statement of cash flows. (correct)
  • What primary role do working capital adjustments and other non-cash components of income adjustments play in the statement of cash flows?

  • To reflect the timing differences between income recognition and cash flow realization. (correct)
  • To precisely align all cash and non-cash activities.
  • To ensure all revenue is recognized in the period it is earned.
  • To distort true financial performance by overstating cash flow.
  • A company's ROCE is heavily influenced by what factors?

    <p>Strong capital structure leverage and asset turnover. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of accounting for non-recurring gains and losses in financial statement projections?

    <p>It requires analysts to carefully evaluate the nature and sustainability of these items. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company exhibits decreasing profits, declining operating cash flows, low investment cash flows, and negative financing cash flows. Which stage of the product life cycle is the company most likely in?

    <p>Decline (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which transaction will increase the current ratio when it is already above 1.0?

    <p>Using cash to pay down accounts payable (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are dilutive securities treated in basic earnings per share (EPS) calculations when computing diluted earnings per share?

    <p>When the strike price on a stock option is above market value, no dilutive effect occurs on EPS (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which change, assuming all other factors remain constant, would lead to an increase in the Return on Assets (ROA)?

    <p>An increase in non-controlling interest in earnings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately compares Return on Assets (ROA) and Residual Income (RI) as profitability measures?

    <p>ROCE will exceed ROA whenever ROA exceeds the cost of capital provided by creditors and preferred shareholders (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does an increase in the tax rate typically affect a company's Return on Assets (ROA), assuming all other factors remain constant?

    <p>It decreases ROA because it lowers net income. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company is analyzing a potential investment opportunity. Which scenario would suggest that the company's Return on Common Equity (ROCE) will significantly exceed its Return on Assets (ROA)?

    <p>The company's cost of debt is substantially lower than its ROA. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company decides to lease a significant portion of its operating equipment rather than purchase it. What is the likely initial impact on the company's asset turnover ratio and why?

    <p>It will likely increase, because leasing reduces the company's reported assets. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is most directly influenced by a company's internal decisions and relationships rather than broad market conditions?

    <p>Dependence on one or a few suppliers. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The extent to which market prices reflect accounting information most critically depends on:

    <p>Investors mapping accounting fundamentals into expectations of future earnings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes the economic attributes of a rapidly growing company?

    <p>A company that is growing rapidly has a large need for outside capital financing from issuing stocks and bonds. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the introductory stage of its life cycle, a firm is most likely to experience cash inflows primarily from which type of activity?

    <p>Financing activities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most logical initial step an investigator should undertake when conducting financial statement analysis?

    <p>Examine the firm's industry to identify economic features and competitive aspects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which transaction would typically NOT require an adjustment when reconciling net income to cash flows from operations?

    <p>Purchase of equipment with a note payable. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do share repurchases affect a company's balance sheet?

    <p>Reduce the number of shares outstanding and decrease equity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is depreciation treated when calculating free cash flow to the firm?

    <p>It adds depreciation expense to earnings before interest and taxes on the income statement. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following represents an example of an income-increasing accrual?

    <p>Recording the completion of work for which a firm has previously been paid. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under which accounting treatment would the market-to-book (MB) ratio and value-to-book (VB) ratio be most likely presumed equal?

    <p>Trading securities are recorded at fair value. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A firm has current earnings of $235. The earnings are expected to grow (g) by 4% annually. The cost of equity capital ($R(E)$) is 13%. What is the value of the firm (rounded to the nearest dollar)?

    <p>$2,716 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes a characteristic of a firm with high operating leverage?

    <p>A firm with a higher operating leverage has proportionally more fixed costs than a firm with a lower operating leverage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A decrease in which of the following would increase cash flow?

    <p>Inventory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Company A and Company B both operate in the same industry, but Company A uses straight-line depreciation and Company B uses accelerated depreciation. Which of the following is true?

    <p>Company A will likely report higher net income in the early years of the asset's life. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company prematurely recognizes revenue, what effect does this have on the financial statements?

    <p>Assets are overstated. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company fails to record a contingent liability. What is the most likely effect on the company's financial statements?

    <p>Net income will be overstated. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A firm sells machinery at a loss. How is this loss typically reflected in the statement of cash flows?

    <p>The firm must report the sale when the sale of the asset differs from that of book values. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the likely effect on a company's Return on Equity (ROE) if it issues new shares of stock, assuming net income remains constant?

    <p>ROE will decrease. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company experiences a sudden increase in demand for its product, leading to higher prices and significant profit from existing inventory. Which financial statement primarily reflects this gain?

    <p>Income statement (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does a decrease in accounts receivable typically have on a company's cash flow?

    <p>It increases cash flow. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company's initial stock price is $35, based on a previous quarter's book value per share. After two months, the stock price increases to $48 due to news of a potential acquisition. How should an analyst most likely interpret this increase?

    <p>The market has revised its perception of the company's growth prospects and intrinsic value. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a firm prematurely recognizes revue, what will be the impact on the financial statements?

    <p>Assets will be overstated (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the impact of capitalizing rather than expensing an expenditure?

    <p>Net income is overstated in the current period and understated in later periods; assets are overstated in the current periods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company's stock price increases significantly following an acquisition announcement. What does this indicate?

    <p>The stock is inaccurately reflective of intrinsic value until the acquisition is complete (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of earnings management involves making non-cash adjustments to financial statements within the bounds of GAAP to influence reported earnings?

    <p>Accrual-based earnings management (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) similar to cash flow from operations?

    <p>They both exclude depreciation expenses (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a company lower its cost of capital?

    <p>By optimizing its debt-to-equity mix and reducing risk (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does capitalizing an expense have on a company's financial statements?

    <p>It spreads the cost over time, reducing immediate expenses and increasing assets (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company uses $50,000 from its retained earnings to repurchase stock. What impact does this transaction have on the company's balance sheet?

    <p>It reduces shareholders' equity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A law firm applies for a loan to expand business operations. Before the loan is approved, the lender conducts a detailed analysis of the firm's liquidity and solvency. Why are liquidity and solvency important for the lender to assess?

    <p>To determine the firm's ability to pay off long-term and short-term debt (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company increases its operating leverage. How does this affect its return on assets (ROA)?

    <p>ROA will decrease (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company's cost of equity capital is 12%. The company's existing assets and operations generate a 12% return on common equity. The company is considering raising additional equity capital to invest in a new product that will generate a return of 9%. How does this investment affect the company's residual income?

    <p>Residual income will decrease (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does increasing leverage affect a company's return on equity (ROE)?

    <p>It increases ROE if the return on assets exceeds the cost of debt (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which financial statement is most useful in assessing a company's liquidity?

    <p>Balance sheet (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cash flow category reflects the purchase or sale of long-term assets such as property, plant, and equipment?

    <p>Cash flow from investing activities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of rising interest rates on bond prices?

    <p>Rising interest rates typically decrease bond prices (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company experiences a loss on the sale of equipment. How is this loss typically reported on the income statement?

    <p>As a component that decreases net income (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of depreciation on a company's financial statements?

    <p>It decreases net income but has no direct effect on cash flow (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When evaluating potential investments with varying required rates of return, how should a company decide which investment to undertake?

    <p>Compare the anticipated return on investment against the required rate of return for each project (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a company improve its asset turnover ratio?

    <p>Increasing sales or decreasing assets (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which financial ratio is most directly indicative of a company's ability to meet its immediate financial liabilities?

    <p>Current ratio (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the immediate impact on the retained earnings account when a company distributes cash dividends to its shareholders?

    <p>Retained earnings decrease as the company distributes accumulated profits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company with a high dividend payout ratio is considering a new project with a positive net present value (NPV) but requires significant upfront investment. How might the dividend policy affect the company's decision?

    <p>The company may need to reduce dividend payouts or seek external financing, potentially affecting shareholder perceptions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most prudent measure for a company to take when it has generated high operating cash flows but operates in a mature industry with limited growth opportunities?

    <p>Return excess cash to shareholders through increased dividends or share repurchases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company reports a significant increase in net income on its income statement but only a slight increase in cash from operations on its statement of cash flows. Which scenario could explain this discrepancy?

    <p>The company adopted a more aggressive revenue recognition policy, leading to higher accrual-based earnings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company's market-to-book (MB) ratio is significantly below 1.0. What conclusion can an analyst most reasonably draw?

    <p>The company's assets are likely generating returns below the cost of capital, or the market has low growth expectations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company reports positive net income but negative residual income. What does this imply about the company's performance?

    <p>The company's earnings are not sufficient to cover its cost of equity capital. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How could management use the flexibility afforded in applying accounting standards regarding depreciation to manage earnings, and what is a likely motivation for doing so?

    <p>Extend the useful life of assets to increase net income, potentially boosting executive bonuses tied to earnings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company's CFO is contemplating two options: increasing the dividend payout ratio or repurchasing shares. From a financial reporting perspective, what is the key difference between these two uses of cash?

    <p>Share repurchases reduce shareholders' equity, whereas dividends reduce cash. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When evaluating a potential investment, an analyst notices significant differences between a company’s net income and its operating cash flow. What is the most appropriate course of action?

    <p>Thoroughly investigate the accruals and non-cash adjustments used in calculating net income to understand the differences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a 'Special Purpose Entity' (SPE)?

    <p>A legal entity created for a specific, temporary, or narrow objective. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between 'Real Earnings Management' and general 'Earnings Management'?

    <p>Real earnings management involves altering actual transactions, while general earnings management uses accounting judgment to alter financial reports. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is the most accurate definition of 'Accruals' in financial accounting?

    <p>Revenues earned or expenses incurred for which cash transaction has not yet occurred. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of financial statement analysis, what does a 'Common-size balance sheet' primarily show?

    <p>A balance sheet where each item is expressed as a percentage of total assets. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company reports a significant gain from the sale of a subsidiary that was part of a strategic restructuring. How should this gain be classified?

    <p>As transitory income because it is not expected to be part of the company's regular ongoing earnings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which valuation method is most exposed to market volatility and why?

    <p>Fair Value (Mark-To-Market), due to its direct reflection of current market prices. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Consider a scenario where a company significantly impaired an asset due to a sudden change in market conditions. What effect would this impairment most directly have on the company's financials?

    <p>It would decrease the company’s reported assets and net income, potentially affecting its debt covenants and ratios. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A highly specialized manufacturing company that has created a new industry-disrupting device is acquired for a price significantly above its net asset value. Under accounting principles, what is the most likely primary driver for the difference between acquisition price and net asset value, and how is it treated on the acquirer's balance sheet?

    <p>Goodwill; recorded as an intangible asset and potentially subject to impairment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following ratios is best used to evaluate a company's operational cash flow relative to its short-term liabilities?

    <p>Operating Cash Flow to Current Liabilities Ratio (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio greater than 1 suggest about a company?

    <p>The company's market capitalization is greater than its total sales. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the 'g' term (growth rate) used in the Continuing Value (CV) formula calculated?

    <p>It is the estimated constant rate at which a company's free cash flow is expected to grow perpetually. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company forecasts a significant increase in net income, but its cash flow from operations remains relatively stable. Which of the following could explain this discrepancy?

    <p>A substantial increase in accounts receivable (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a company's Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE) is consistently negative, what might this indicate?

    <p>The company is heavily investing in growth, or has significant debt obligations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario would lead to a higher inventory turnover ratio, assuming cost of goods sold remains constant?

    <p>Decreasing the amount of inventory held on hand. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Company A and Company B have identical financial metrics except that Company A's ROCE is consistently higher than its cost of equity, while Company B's ROCE is consistently lower. What does this suggest?

    <p>Company A is creating shareholder value, while Company B is destroying it. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of including dilutive securities in the calculation of diluted EPS?

    <p>It always decreases the reported EPS figure or leave it unchanged. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following adjustments would increase the quick ratio?

    <p>Use cash to pay off accounts payable. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company with a high P/E ratio acquires a company with a low P/E ratio. Assuming the market values the earnings of the combined entity similarly to the acquiring company, what is the most likely short-term impact on the acquiring company's stock price immediately following the announcement?

    <p>The stock price will likely decrease. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which business strategy involves a company expanding by acquiring or merging with a competitor in the same industry and production stage?

    <p>Horizontal integration strategy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What accounting method records revenues and expenses when they are earned or incurred, regardless of when cash changes hands?

    <p>Accrual Accounting (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which valuation method relies heavily on projecting future cash flows and discounting them back to their present value?

    <p>Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is Gross Margin Percentage Index (GMI) calculated?

    <p>Current year's gross margin / Previous year's gross margin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Porter's Five Forces Model, which of the following represents horizontal competition?

    <p>Competition in the industry, potential of new entrants and threat of substitutes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which financial ratio category assesses a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations using its current assets?

    <p>Short-Term liquidity Ratios (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the formula for calculating Net Income?

    <p>Revenue - Expenses - Interest Expense - Tax Expense (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is Enterprise Value (EV) typically calculated?

    <p>Market Capitalization + Total Debt - Cash and Cash Equivalents (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a Gross Margin Percentage Index (GMI) of less than 1 indicate?

    <p>The company's profitability relative to sales has decreased. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which phase of a business product's life cycle does a company typically experience a rapid increase in sales coupled with increased debt financing?

    <p>Growth (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company's current assets are $1,500,000 and its current liabilities are $900,000. What is its Net Working Capital?

    <p>$600,000 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company with a market capitalization of $5 billion would be classified as what type of company?

    <p>Mid-Cap Company (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following adjustments is typically made when using the indirect method to calculate cash flow from operating activities?

    <p>Add back depreciation expense (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A company has EBIT of $500,000, interest expense of $50,000, and a tax rate of 30%. Calculate the company's Net Income.

    <p>$315,000 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Company A and Company B have identical financial statements except for the fact that Company A uses Preferred Dividends while Company B does not. Assume Preferred Dividends are relatively large and Return on Assets (ROA) is chosen as the profitability ratio. Which of the following is true?

    <p>Ratio will be lower for Firm A (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Decline Stage

    A phase in the product life cycle characterized by decreasing profits and cash flows.

    Current Ratio Increase

    Paying down accounts payable can increase the current ratio if it is above 1.0.

    Dilutive Securities

    Financial instruments that can dilute earnings per share, affecting EPS calculations.

    Strike Price Effect

    When above market value, stock options have no dilutive effect on EPS.

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    Return on Assets (ROA) Increase

    Factors improving net profit without changing assets boost ROA.

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    Profitability Measures

    Metrics to assess a company's ability to generate income relative to revenue, assets, or equity.

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    Return on Common Equity (ROCE) vs. ROA

    ROCE is higher than ROA when ROA surpasses the cost of capital.

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    Residual Income (RI) Relationship

    If ROA is positive, RI will also be positive, indicating profitable operations.

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    Dependence on suppliers

    Reliance on one or few suppliers for goods or services.

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    Market prices and accounting

    Market prices reflect the implications of accounting based on investor expectations.

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    Growing companies need capital

    Rapidly growing firms require outside financing like stocks and bonds.

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    Cash inflows in introduction stage

    In the introductory stage, firms mainly see cash from financing activities.

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    Steps in financial statement analysis

    Start by understanding the firm's industry before analyzing financials.

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    Equipment purchase with note payable

    Buying equipment on credit doesn’t directly impact cash flow or net income.

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    Depreciation in free cash flows

    Depreciation expense is added back to net income when calculating free cash flows.

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    Income-increasing accrual

    Recognizing completed work as revenue increases income without cash received.

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    Fair value accounting

    Trading securities recorded at fair value ensure asset alignment with market value.

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    Value of the firm formula

    Value calculated by current earnings divided by the cost of equity minus growth rate.

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    Operating leverage

    High operating leverage means a firm has a larger proportion of fixed costs.

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    Financial leverage risk

    Higher financial leverage increases a firm's risk in financial operations.

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    Accrual accounting

    Recording revenues when earned, regardless of cash transactions.

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    Stock buybacks

    Repurchasing shares decreases equity and the number of shares outstanding.

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    ROCE and Risk

    ROCE increases when there is more risk in the firm's capital structure.

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    Asset Management Impact on ROCE

    Increasing average total assets, with other factors constant, will increase ROCE.

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    Cash Flow Projection

    Final step in financial forecasting derived from income statement and balance sheet.

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    Impact of Non-Cash Adjustments

    Non-cash components affect cash flow timing but not reported income.

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    Capital Structure Leverage

    Strong asset turnover and leverage can maintain positive ROCE despite net losses.

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    Market-Based Multiples

    A valuation method using other companies' multiples to determine value.

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    Loss on Sale of Asset

    Recognizing a loss when selling an asset below its book value.

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    Return on Equity (ROE)

    A measure of profitability calculated as net income divided by shareholders' equity.

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    Income Statement

    Financial statement reflecting a company's revenue and expenses over time.

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    Accounts Receivable Impact

    A decrease in accounts receivable indicates cash has been collected from customers.

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    Intrinsic Value vs. Market Value

    Intrinsic value is a company's true worth based on fundamentals; market value is its trading price.

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    Financial Efficiency

    The ability of a company to effectively use its assets to generate profits.

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    Impact of Equity Increase on ROE

    Issuing new shares increases equity, which typically lowers ROE if net income remains the same.

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    Overvalued Stock

    A stock priced higher than its intrinsic value.

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    Undervalued Stock

    A stock priced lower than its intrinsic value.

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    Accrual-Based Earnings Management

    Adjusting financial statements within GAAP to influence earnings.

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    EBITDA

    Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization.

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    Capitalizing an Expense

    Turning an expense into an asset to spread costs over time.

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    Cost of Capital

    The return rate required to attract investors.

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    Residual Income

    Income remaining after deducting the cost of equity.

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    Interest Rates Effect on Bonds

    Rising interest rates typically decrease bond prices.

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    Liquidity

    The ability of a firm to meet short-term financial commitments.

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    Solvency

    The ability of a firm to meet long-term debt obligations.

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    Return on Assets (ROA)

    Indicator of how well a company uses its assets to generate earnings.

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    Leverage Impact on ROE

    Increasing leverage can increase return on equity if returns exceed debt cost.

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    Investing Activities

    Cash flow category for buying or selling long-term assets.

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    Depreciation Effect

    Depreciation decreases net income but doesn't directly affect cash flow.

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    Investment Decision Criteria

    Investments are evaluated by comparing returns to required rates of return.

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    Asset Turnover

    Asset turnover measures how efficiently a company generates revenue from its assets.

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    Current Ratio

    The current ratio measures a company's ability to pay short-term obligations using current assets.

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    Dividends Impact on Retained Earnings

    Paying dividends decreases retained earnings as profits are distributed to shareholders.

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    High Dividend Payout Ratio

    May reduce future growth potential by lowering retained earnings for reinvestment.

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    Excess Cash Flow Use

    Reinvesting in capital expenditures boosts long-term profitability and growth.

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    Balance Sheet vs Cash Flows

    The balance sheet uses accrual accounting while the cash flow statement uses cash-basis accounting, causing discrepancies.

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    High Market-to-Book Ratio

    Indicates that a company may be overvalued or have strong growth prospects.

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    Residual Income Definition

    Income earned above the required return on equity, indicating excess earnings.

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    Impact of Depreciation

    Depreciation affects financial statements by reducing taxable income without cash outflow.

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    Reinvestment Opportunities

    Using strong operating cash flows to reinvest helps in expansion and future profits.

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    Cash Flow Statement Adjustments

    Adjustments in cash flows for operations may not equal balance sheet changes due to different accounting basis.

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    Transitory Income

    Income that is not expected to recur consistently in the future.

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    Special Purpose Entity (SPE)

    A legal entity created for a specific task, often to manage financial risk and hold assets.

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    Accruals

    Revenues earned or expenses incurred that affect net income before cash transactions occur.

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    Depreciation

    A reduction in the value of an asset over time due to wear and tear.

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    Goodwill

    An intangible asset representing the premium paid above fair market value for a business acquisition.

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    Book Value

    The value of a business or asset reflected on its balance sheet.

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    Common-size Income Statements

    Income statements that express all items as a percentage of total revenues.

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    Fair Value (Mark-To-Market)

    Measures assets and liabilities based on their current market value rather than historical cost.

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    Return on Common Equity (ROCE)

    ROCE measures profit generated per dollar of common equity; formula: (Net Income - Preferred Dividends) / Avg Common Equity.

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    Earnings per Share (EPS)

    EPS calculates the profit per share of common stock: Net Income divided by outstanding shares.

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    Price-Earnings Ratio (P/E)

    P/E compares a company's stock price to its EPS: Market Price per Share divided by EPS.

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    Quick Ratio (Acid Test)

    Quick Ratio assesses liquidity excluding inventory: (Current Assets - Inventory) / Current Liabilities.

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    Operating Cash Flow to Current Liabilities Ratio (OFC Ratio)

    OFC Ratio gauges short-term liabilities covered by cash from operations: Cash flow from operations divided by Current Liabilities.

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    Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE)

    FCFE shows cash available for shareholders: Net Income + Depreciation - Change in Working Capital - CapEx + Net Borrowing.

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    Present Value (PV)

    PV calculates current value of future cash flows: FV x (1 / (1 + r)^n).

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    Days in Inventory

    Days in Inventory calculates how long it takes to sell inventory: Days divided by Inventory Turnover Ratio.

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    Horizontal Integration Strategy

    A strategy where a company acquires or merges with another in the same industry at the same production stage.

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    Industry Diversification Strategy

    A strategy where a company enters a new industry or market to create a new product or service.

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    Product Differentiation Strategy

    A strategy that emphasizes a product's unique qualities to stand out from competitors.

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    Low-Cost Leadership Strategy

    A strategy focused on reducing costs to offer lower-priced products or services than competitors.

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    Indirect Method (Cash Flow)

    An accounting technique for cash flow that adjusts net income for non-cash expenses and working capital changes.

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    Direct Method (Cash Flow)

    An accounting method that shows cash inflows and outflows as cash is received or paid.

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    Market Value of Assets

    The price of an asset based on what buyers are willing to pay and sellers are willing to accept.

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    Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)

    A valuation method estimating an investment's value by calculating the present value of future cash flows.

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    Net Working Capital

    The difference between a company's current assets and current liabilities.

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    Gross Margin Percentage Index (GMI)

    A comparison of current gross margin to previous year's gross margin to evaluate profitability changes.

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    Porter's Five Forces Model

    A framework for analyzing industry competition and profitability through five key forces.

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    Enterprise Value (EV)

    A company's total value, including market capitalization, debt, and cash.

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    Dividends

    Regular payments made by a company to its shareholders from profits.

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    Study Notes

    Product Life Cycle

    • Companies in the decline stage typically experience decreasing profits and declining cash flows (operations, investment, and financing).
    • Business products have four phases: Introduction, Growth (rapid sales & debt financing), Maturity (slowing sales), Decline (loss of sales/profits).

    Current Ratio Improvement

    • Paying down accounts payable reduces current liabilities, increasing the current ratio if it's already above 1.0.

    Dilutive Securities and EPS

    • Stock options with a strike price above the market price do not lead to EPS dilution.

    Return on Assets (ROA)

    • An increase in non-controlling interest earnings (not property, plant, and equipment, advertising expenses, or tax rates) increases profitability, thereby boosting ROA.
    • ROA = Net Income / Total Assets

    Profitability Measures

    • ROCE (Return on Common Equity) surpasses ROA when ROA exceeds the cost of capital from creditors and preferred shareholders. ROCE accounts for financing costs.
    • ROCE = (Net income - Preferred Dividends) / Average Common Equity

    Business Risk Factors

    • Dependence on one or a few suppliers is a controllable risk factor.
    • Porter's Five Forces Model analyzes industry competitive strength & profitability. Factors include competition, new entrants, supplier power, customer power, and substitute threats. Buyer and supplier power are vertical competition, while industry competition, new entrants, and substitutes are horizontal competition.

    Market Price & Accounting Information

    • Market prices accurately reflecting accounting information depends on investors using accounting data to forecast future earnings. Market value may not accurately reflect intrinsic value until significant events (like acquisitions) are finalized.

    Company Economic Attributes

    • Companies with rapid growth require significant external financing (from issuing stocks or bonds).

    Cash Inflows in Introductory Stage

    • Cash inflows mainly come from financing activities, as the firm raises capital for initial operations.

    Financial Statement Analysis Steps

    • The initial step in financial statement analysis is understanding the industry and competitive environment.

    Adjusting Net Income to Cash Flows

    • Purchased equipment with a note payable does not directly affect cash flow or net income; therefore, no adjustment is needed.

    Share Repurchases

    • Share repurchases decrease the number of outstanding shares and equity, impacting equity.

    Free Cash Flow & Depreciation

    • Depreciation expense is added back to net income when calculating free cash flow because it's a non-cash expenditure.

    Accruals and Income

    • Recording work completion for which payment was previously received increases income via accrual accounting.

    Market Value vs. Book Value

    • Fair value accounting (trading securities) ensures assets are recorded at market value, aligning market-to-book and value-to-book ratios. Market value may not accurately reflect intrinsic value.

    Firm Valuation

    • Firm value calculation involves dividing current earnings by the difference between the cost of equity and the growth rate.

    Leverage

    • Higher operating leverage indicates a higher proportion of fixed costs in a company's cost structure. Higher leverage can increase ROE if the return on assets exceeds the cost of debt.

    Disaggregating Return on Common Equity

    • ROCE increases with higher financial leverage (using more debt).

    Financial Forecasting

    • Cash flow projections are determined from income statement and balance sheet forecasts.

    Working Capital Adjustments in Cash Flow

    • Working capital adjustments reflect the difference in income recognition and cash flow realization. Decreasing accounts receivable increases cash flow.

    Market-Based Multiples

    • Market-based multiples help value companies, but failure to consider contingent liabilities can result in overstated net income.

    Statement of Cash Flows - Loss on Asset Sale

    • Losses on the sale of long-term assets (like machinery) are recorded in the investing section of the statement of cash flows. This reflects any difference between the sale price and the asset's book value.

    Return on Equity (ROE) Dilution

    • Issuing new shares increases equity, leading to a decrease in ROE if net income remains constant. ROE = Net income / Shareholders' equity.

    Income Statement Impacts - Inventory Gains

    • Gains from increased inventory demand and higher prices are reflected in the income statement.

    Contingent Liabilities and Net Income

    • Failure to record contingent liabilities leads to an overstatement of net income.

    Accrual-Based Earnings Management

    • Accrual-based earnings management adjusts accruals within GAAP to influence reported earnings, not cash flow. It's distinct from real earnings management and earnings manipulation.

    EBITDA and Cash Flow from Operations

    • EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) and cash flow from operations both exclude depreciation expenses but differ in their treatment of other items (interest and taxes).

    Optimal Capital Structure

    • Optimizing the debt-to-equity mix and reducing risk lowers the company's cost of capital, leading to better financial outcomes.

    Capitalizing Expenses

    • Capitalizing an expense extends its recognition period, reducing immediate expenses and increasing assets, rather than immediately impacting retained earnings.

    Stock Repurchases and Balance Sheet

    • Repurchasing stock using retained earnings decreases shareholders' equity.

    Loan Analysis and Liquidity/Solvency

    • Lenders analyze a firm's liquidity and solvency to assess its ability to repay both short-term and long-term debts.

    Operating Leverage and ROA

    • Increased operating leverage (higher proportion of fixed costs) lowers ROA if sales don't correspondingly increase.

    Investment Decisions and Residual Income

    • An investment generating a return lower than the cost of equity will result in decreased residual income. Residual income is the income earned above the required return on equity.

    Leverage and ROE

    • Increased leverage (using more debt) can increase ROE if the return on assets exceeds the cost of debt. This amplifies returns to equity holders.

    Statement of Cash Flows - Investing Activities

    • Purchases or sales of long-term assets (property, plant, and equipment) are recorded in the investing activities section of the statement of cash flows.

    Bond Prices and Interest Rates

    • Rising interest rates typically decrease bond prices.

    Loss on Equipment Sale & Statement of Cash Flows

    • Losses on the sale of equipment are recorded in the investing activities section of the statement of cash flows.

    High Dividend Payout Ratio and Growth

    • A high dividend payout ratio may reduce future growth potential by lowering retained earnings available for reinvestment.

    Excess Cash Flow Use

    • Reinvesting in capital expenditures allows the company to expand operations, improving long-term profitability and growth prospects.

    Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement Discrepancies

    • Differences in the balance sheet and statement of cash flows occur because the balance sheet uses accrual-basis accounting while the statement of cash flows uses cash-basis accounting.

    Market-to-Book Ratio and Stock Valuation

    • A high market-to-book ratio suggests the company may be overvalued or have strong growth prospects. High MB ratios imply investors expect future earnings to exceed current net asset values.

    Residual Income Definition

    • Residual income is the income earned above the required return on equity.

    Depreciation's Impact on Financial Statements

    • Depreciation is a non-cash expense that reduces net income but does not directly affect cash flow.

    Investment Decision-Making

    • Investment decisions involve comparing the return on investment to the required rate of return for each project.

    Asset Turnover

    • Asset turnover measures how efficiently a company uses its assets to generate revenue. Increasing sales or reducing assets will improve this ratio..

    Current Ratio

    • The current ratio measures a company's ability to pay its short-term obligations by comparing current assets to current liabilities.

    Dividend Payments and Retained Earnings

    • When dividends are paid, retained earnings decrease as the company distributes part of its accumulated profits to shareholders.

    Important Definitions

    • Transitory Income: Income not expected as regular earnings.

    • Peripheral Activity: Activities not central to earnings.

    • Contingent Income: Income dependent on conditions/events.

    • Special Purpose Entity (SPE): Legal entity for specific, temporary objectives (e.g., collateral, risk transfer).

    • Accruals: Revenues/expenses recognized before cash flow.

    • Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): Total cost of producing/selling a product/service.

    • Financing: Obtaining funds for a purchase, with repayment over time.

    • Investing: Putting money into assets/projects for profit.

    • Equity: Value of company shares.

    • Earnings management: Manipulating financial statements to mislead users.

    • Real Earnings Management: Manipulating operations to increase earnings.

    • Depreciation: Asset value reduction due to wear and tear.

    • Amortization: Periodic reduction of loan/intangible asset value.

    • Current Replacement Cost: Estimated cost to replace an asset/service currently.

    • Fair Value (Mark-To-Market): Current market value of assets/liabilities.

    • Adjusted Historical Cost: Asset value adjusted for wear, depreciation, or impairment.

    • Goodwill: Premium paid for a business above its fair market value.

    • Tax Basis: Asset value for tax purposes.

    • Book Value: Business/asset value on the balance sheet.

    • Common-size balance sheet: Balance sheet with all amounts as a percentage of total assets.

    • Common-size income statements: Income statement with all items as a percentage of total revenues.

    • Percentage change financial statements: Statements showing year-over-year growth rates.

    • Gross Margin Percentage Index (GMI): Compares current gross margin to the previous year's.

      • GMI > 1: Improved profitability relative to sales
      • GMI = 1: No change in gross margin
      • GMI < 1: Decreased profitability relative to sales.
      • GMI < 0: Losses from core operations
    • Net Working Capital: Difference between current assets and current liabilities

    • Dividends: Payments to shareholders from profits.

    • Preferred Dividends: Paid to preferred shareholders before common stock dividends.

    • Small-Cap Company: Market cap $250M - $2B.

    • Mid-Cap Company: Market cap $2B - $10B.

    • Large-Cap Company: Market cap over $10B.

    • Zero Market-Cap Company: Market cap is zero.

    • Short-Term Liquidity Ratios: Assess a company's ability to pay short-term debts.

    • Profitability Ratios: Measure company income generation relative to various metrics.

    • Solvency Ratios: Assess a company's ability to pay debts and generate cash flow.

    • Net Income: Profit after expenses, taxes etc.

    • Earnings before Interest and Taxes (EBIT): Net income - operating expenses - Similar Formulas: Earnings before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization (EBITA) and Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) - EBITA: Net Income + Interest + Taxes + Amortization - EBITDA: Operating Income + Depreciation + Amortization

    • Enterprise Value (EV): Company's total value, including market cap, debt, and cash.

    • EV = Market Capitalization + Total Debt - Cash and Cash Equivalents

    • Market Capitalization = Market Price per Share x Number of Shares Outstanding

    • Return on Assets (ROA). ROA = Net Income / Total Assets

    • Return on Common Equity (ROCE).ROCE =(Net income - Preferred Dividends) / Average Common Equity.

    • Earnings per share (EPS): Company's net income / Total number of outstanding shares.

    • Diluted Earnings per share (EPS): EPS assuming conversion of all convertible securities

    • Price-earnings ratio (P/E): Market price per share / company EPS.

    • Price-to-Sales (P/S): Company's market capitalization / Total sales (revenue).

    • P/S Valuation: Revenue x P/S multiple

    • Current ratio: Current assets / Current liabilities.

    • Quick Ratio (Acid Test): (Current assets – Inventory) / Current liabilities.

    • Operating Cash Flow to Current Liabilities Ratio (OFC Ratio): Cash flow from operations / Current liabilities.

    • Inventory Turnover Ratio: COGS/ Average inventory.

      • Average Inventory: (Beginning Inventory + Ending Inventory)/2
    • Days in Inventory: Days / Inventory Turnover Ratio

    • Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE): Cash available to shareholders.

      • FCFE = Net Income + Depreciation & Amortization (D&A) – Change in Net Working Capital – Capital Expenditures (Capex) + Net Borrowing
    • Continuing Value (CV): Current value of future cash flows with a constant growth rate.

      • CV = (FCFn x (1 + g))/(WACC - g) where:

      • FCFn = Free Cash Flow (for the desired period)

      • g = Growth rate

      • WACC = Weighted Average Cost of Capital

    • Present Value: Current value of future cash flows. PV = FV x (1 / ((1 + r)^n)) where: FV = Future value; r = Rate of return or discount rate; n = Number of periods

    • Sum of the Present Value of Free Cash Flows: Total present value of projected free cash flows.

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    Test your knowledge on essential business finance concepts such as the product life cycle, current ratio improvement, and profitability measures. This quiz covers vital metrics like ROA and ROCE, as well as market price implications. Perfect for students and professionals alike!

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