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会计代写-UCD 2019/2020
时间：2020-12-13
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 1 of 7
___________________________________
AUTUMN TRIMESTER EXAMINATIONS
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019/2020
___________________________________
ACC40700
Strategic Corporate Finance
Professor Fanis Tsoligkas
Professor Anthony Brabazon
Dr John McCallig
Mr Jack Massey*
Time Allowed: 2 Hours
Instructions for Candidates
Answer QUESTION 1 (compulsory) AND two of the remaining three questions (2, 3 AND 4).
Student Number
Seat Number
Instructions for Invigilators
Closed book examination
Use of non-programmable calculators permitted
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 2 of 7
Section A - You must answer this question
Question 1
Healthy Dog Limited (‘HDL’) is a family owned dog food manufacturing company founded
five years ago. The company has developed both a highly regarded range of innovative
products and a trusted brand. The vast majority of HDL’s sales are to pet shops, but it also
sells directly to consumers online.
HDL’s founder and CEO, Cooper Boylan, needs additional finance to grow the business
internationally and is considering issuing new shares to a private equity investor. Cooper
has historically raised debt to expand the business but the company’s banks are reluctant to
extend further credit given its leverage is already well above industry norms.
Cooper would like your help valuing his company and has shared the recent summary
financial statements below.
HDL Summary Profit & Loss Account for year ended 30 November 2019 (€000)
Sales 13,450
Depreciation 110
EBIT 1,140
Profit after tax (corporation tax rate is 10%) 788
HDL Summary Statement of Financial Position as at 30 November 2019 (€000)
Premises, depreciated historic cost 8,200
Stocks and prepayments 450
Trade creditors (295)
Bank overdraft (70)
Net current assets 85
Bank loans due in greater than one year (4,300)
Total net assets 3,985
Ordinary share capital (shares of €1 each) 1,000
Profit and loss reserves 2,985
Shareholders’ equity 3,985
The premises were bought for €9 million but could now be sold for €11.2 million.
Cont…./
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 3 of 7
Question 1 Continued…/
There are some listed dog food companies comparable to HDL, albeit with lower levels of
debt. You have extracted the following average valuation multiples for those companies:
Cooper has seen recent generous valuations of ‘infant’ online companies based on applying
a multiple to sales. He is keen to apply that valuation basis to HDL.
Required:
(a) Calculate a per share valuation of HDL based on book values. Provide reasons why
this valuation is of limited relevance.
(6 marks)
(b) Calculate a per share valuation of HDL based on liquidation values. Explain the
potential relevance of this valuation in the current scenario.
(5 marks)
(c) Prepare two different earnings-based multiple valuations of HDL’s equity shares.
Explain which one of the two valuations is likely to be the most appropriate. Give
reasons why the use of comparable listed company multiples might still not
appropriately value HDL.
(17 marks)
(d) Comment on the likelihood of a sales multiple based valuation being accepted by an
equity investor in HDL. Describe the risks of such valuations for an equity investor.
(5 marks)
(e) Explain which risks equity investors are rewarded for, and not rewarded for, according
to the Capital Asset Pricing Model (‘CAPM’).
(7 marks)
(TOTAL: 40 MARKS)
Price / Earnings Ratio 12.0x
Enterprise Value / NOPAT Ratio 11.5x
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 4 of 7
Section B – Answer TWO of the three questions in Section B
Question 2
Griffin Hospitality plc (‘GH’) operates 25 four-star hotels across the UK and Ireland. Part of
the CEO’s strategy is to exploit the Group’s scale and operational expertise by acquiring
poorly managed independent hotels. GH’s chairman is supportive of any acquisitions that are
accretive to earnings per share (i.e. increase earnings per share). GH has a Weighted Average
Cost of Capital (‘WACC’) of 9.0%.
The Northbrook Hotel Limited (‘NHL’) may be a suitable target and GH’s projections for its
performance over the next three years are included below. These projections include the
benefit of annual synergies of €0.3m after-tax that GH believes it could achieve on
acquisition, after incurring once-off implementation costs of €0.5m. Cashflows are forecast to
continue to grow at 1.5% per annum post 2022 as a result of inflation. NHL currently has net
debt of €4.5m and pays corporation tax at 12.5%.
€000 2020
Forecast
2021
Forecast
2022
Forecast
Depreciation 75 80 83
Operating profit (EBIT) 1,395 1,515 1,608
Capex 112 98 85
(2020 cashflows are assumed to arise in exactly one year’s time and so on for 2021 and 2022)
Required:
(a) Calculate a maximum possible bid by GH for the equity of NHL.
Comment briefly on the key risk in your valuation calculation even if the 2020-2022
forecast and WACC are accurate.
(17 marks)
(b) Given its projections, what should GH bid for the equity of NHL if it wishes to retain
half the value created by the acquisition for its own shareholders.
(5 marks)
(c) Explain in detail why ‘earnings per share accretion’ is not a suitable financial
threshold for approving acquisitions.
(8 marks)
(TOTAL: 30 MARKS)
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 5 of 7
Question 3
Lean Manufacturing plc’s (‘LM’s’) CFO, Sean Kelly, was reflecting with satisfaction on
improved working capital and capex management at the company. LM now had the highest
Return on Capital in its sector (11.2% in the last fiscal year based on NOPAT of €22.5m and
Long Term Debt plus Equity Capital of €200.6m).
Nonetheless Sean was concerned by the recent appearance of an activist investor on the
company’s share register. The shareholder had not raised any issues to date but had asked
several questions about the absence of debt in LM’s capital structure at their initial meeting.
A prominent investment bank had recently pitched the idea of an LM bond issue to Sean, with
the proceeds being used to return capital to shareholders. They believed LM could issue
€50m face-value, 5 year, 5.5% coupon debt at 105% of nominal value, without any material
adverse impact on LM’s equity risk profile. LM pays corporation tax at 12.5%.
Sean was considering the options for distributing the bond proceeds to shareholders. Low
interest rates are currently giving LM a cost of equity of 8.6%. Sean, however, is concerned
that when interest rates eventually start to rise, LM’s cost of equity will increase and its share
price will fall. LM has now matured to have relatively stable surplus annual cashflows and
Sean believes LM could sustain a regular dividend pay-out ratio of approximately 33%.
Required:
(a) Explain why the activist investor may be dissatisfied with LM’s returns to shareholders
despite its sector-leading Return on Capital.
(6 marks)
(b) Calculate the impact on LM’s WACC of the possible bond issue.
(14 marks)
(c) Provide recommendation(s) to Sean for distributing ongoing surplus cashflows and the
bond proceeds to shareholders.
(10 marks)
(TOTAL: 30 MARKS)
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 6 of 7
Question 4
Answer both parts of this question.
Part (a)
A friend is excited about the potential returns from investing in shares listed in Imaginland, a
liberalising former communist country. Her stockbroker, however, has cautioned her about
potential ‘agency problems’ investing in a country and in listed companies where there might
not be a well-developed corporate governance regime.
Explain the issue being raised by the stockbroker and the features your friend might look for
in the Imaginland regime to satisfy herself that she will be adequately protected as a
shareholder.
(15 marks)
Part (b)
Theoretical models exist that suggest both a company’s choice of capital structure and its
dividend policy are irrelevant to the value of the firm.
Briefly explain the core rationale for each of these theories and the assumptions they depend
upon which are very unlikely to apply in reality.
(15 marks)
(TOTAL: 30 MARKS)
- oOo -
GENERAL FINANCE FORMULAE
Present value of a perpetuity PV0 = CF1 / r
Terminal Value TV0 = CF1 / (r – g)
Ke = rf + β(rm - rf)
WACC = Ke x (E / D+E) + [Kd * (1-t)] x (D/ D+E)
PRESENT VALUE DISCOUNT FACTORS
Discount Rate
Time 4% 4.5% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13%
0 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000
1 0.9615 0.9569 0.9524 0.9434 0.9346 0.9259 0.9174 0.9091 0.9009 0.8929 0.8850
2 0.9246 0.9157 0.9070 0.8900 0.8734 0.8573 0.8417 0.8264 0.8116 0.7972 0.7831
3 0.8890 0.8763 0.8638 0.8396 0.8163 0.7938 0.7722 0.7513 0.7312 0.7118 0.6931
4 0.8548 0.8386 0.8227 0.7921 0.7629 0.7350 0.7084 0.6830 0.6587 0.6355 0.6133
5 0.8219 0.8025 0.7835 0.7473 0.7130 0.6806 0.6499 0.6209 0.5935 0.5674 0.5428
6 0.7903 0.7679 0.7462 0.7050 0.6663 0.6302 0.5963 0.5645 0.5346 0.5066 0.4803
7 0.7599 0.7348 0.7107 0.6651 0.6227 0.5835 0.5470 0.5132 0.4817 0.4523 0.4251
8 0.7307 0.7032 0.6768 0.6274 0.5820 0.5403 0.5019 0.4665 0.4339 0.4039 0.3762
9 0.7026 0.6729 0.6446 0.5919 0.5439 0.5002 0.4604 0.4241 0.3909 0.3606 0.3329
10 0.6756 0.6439 0.6139 0.5584 0.5083 0.4632 0.4224 0.3855 0.3522 0.3220 0.2946
Page 7 of 7
___________________________________
AUTUMN TRIMESTER EXAMINATIONS
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019/2020
___________________________________
ACC40700
Strategic Corporate Finance
Professor Fanis Tsoligkas
Professor Anthony Brabazon
Dr John McCallig
Mr Jack Massey*
Time Allowed: 2 Hours
Instructions for Candidates
Answer QUESTION 1 (compulsory) AND two of the remaining three questions (2, 3 AND 4).
Student Number
Seat Number
Instructions for Invigilators
Closed book examination
Use of non-programmable calculators permitted
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 2 of 7
Section A - You must answer this question
Question 1
Healthy Dog Limited (‘HDL’) is a family owned dog food manufacturing company founded
five years ago. The company has developed both a highly regarded range of innovative
products and a trusted brand. The vast majority of HDL’s sales are to pet shops, but it also
sells directly to consumers online.
HDL’s founder and CEO, Cooper Boylan, needs additional finance to grow the business
internationally and is considering issuing new shares to a private equity investor. Cooper
has historically raised debt to expand the business but the company’s banks are reluctant to
extend further credit given its leverage is already well above industry norms.
Cooper would like your help valuing his company and has shared the recent summary
financial statements below.
HDL Summary Profit & Loss Account for year ended 30 November 2019 (€000)
Sales 13,450
Depreciation 110
EBIT 1,140
Profit after tax (corporation tax rate is 10%) 788
HDL Summary Statement of Financial Position as at 30 November 2019 (€000)
Premises, depreciated historic cost 8,200
Stocks and prepayments 450
Trade creditors (295)
Bank overdraft (70)
Net current assets 85
Bank loans due in greater than one year (4,300)
Total net assets 3,985
Ordinary share capital (shares of €1 each) 1,000
Profit and loss reserves 2,985
Shareholders’ equity 3,985
The premises were bought for €9 million but could now be sold for €11.2 million.
Cont…./
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 3 of 7
Question 1 Continued…/
There are some listed dog food companies comparable to HDL, albeit with lower levels of
debt. You have extracted the following average valuation multiples for those companies:
Cooper has seen recent generous valuations of ‘infant’ online companies based on applying
a multiple to sales. He is keen to apply that valuation basis to HDL.
Required:
(a) Calculate a per share valuation of HDL based on book values. Provide reasons why
this valuation is of limited relevance.
(6 marks)
(b) Calculate a per share valuation of HDL based on liquidation values. Explain the
potential relevance of this valuation in the current scenario.
(5 marks)
(c) Prepare two different earnings-based multiple valuations of HDL’s equity shares.
Explain which one of the two valuations is likely to be the most appropriate. Give
reasons why the use of comparable listed company multiples might still not
appropriately value HDL.
(17 marks)
(d) Comment on the likelihood of a sales multiple based valuation being accepted by an
equity investor in HDL. Describe the risks of such valuations for an equity investor.
(5 marks)
(e) Explain which risks equity investors are rewarded for, and not rewarded for, according
to the Capital Asset Pricing Model (‘CAPM’).
(7 marks)
(TOTAL: 40 MARKS)
Price / Earnings Ratio 12.0x
Enterprise Value / NOPAT Ratio 11.5x
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 4 of 7
Section B – Answer TWO of the three questions in Section B
Question 2
Griffin Hospitality plc (‘GH’) operates 25 four-star hotels across the UK and Ireland. Part of
the CEO’s strategy is to exploit the Group’s scale and operational expertise by acquiring
poorly managed independent hotels. GH’s chairman is supportive of any acquisitions that are
accretive to earnings per share (i.e. increase earnings per share). GH has a Weighted Average
Cost of Capital (‘WACC’) of 9.0%.
The Northbrook Hotel Limited (‘NHL’) may be a suitable target and GH’s projections for its
performance over the next three years are included below. These projections include the
benefit of annual synergies of €0.3m after-tax that GH believes it could achieve on
acquisition, after incurring once-off implementation costs of €0.5m. Cashflows are forecast to
continue to grow at 1.5% per annum post 2022 as a result of inflation. NHL currently has net
debt of €4.5m and pays corporation tax at 12.5%.
€000 2020
Forecast
2021
Forecast
2022
Forecast
Depreciation 75 80 83
Operating profit (EBIT) 1,395 1,515 1,608
Capex 112 98 85
(2020 cashflows are assumed to arise in exactly one year’s time and so on for 2021 and 2022)
Required:
(a) Calculate a maximum possible bid by GH for the equity of NHL.
Comment briefly on the key risk in your valuation calculation even if the 2020-2022
forecast and WACC are accurate.
(17 marks)
(b) Given its projections, what should GH bid for the equity of NHL if it wishes to retain
half the value created by the acquisition for its own shareholders.
(5 marks)
(c) Explain in detail why ‘earnings per share accretion’ is not a suitable financial
threshold for approving acquisitions.
(8 marks)
(TOTAL: 30 MARKS)
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 5 of 7
Question 3
Lean Manufacturing plc’s (‘LM’s’) CFO, Sean Kelly, was reflecting with satisfaction on
improved working capital and capex management at the company. LM now had the highest
Return on Capital in its sector (11.2% in the last fiscal year based on NOPAT of €22.5m and
Long Term Debt plus Equity Capital of €200.6m).
Nonetheless Sean was concerned by the recent appearance of an activist investor on the
company’s share register. The shareholder had not raised any issues to date but had asked
several questions about the absence of debt in LM’s capital structure at their initial meeting.
A prominent investment bank had recently pitched the idea of an LM bond issue to Sean, with
the proceeds being used to return capital to shareholders. They believed LM could issue
€50m face-value, 5 year, 5.5% coupon debt at 105% of nominal value, without any material
adverse impact on LM’s equity risk profile. LM pays corporation tax at 12.5%.
Sean was considering the options for distributing the bond proceeds to shareholders. Low
interest rates are currently giving LM a cost of equity of 8.6%. Sean, however, is concerned
that when interest rates eventually start to rise, LM’s cost of equity will increase and its share
price will fall. LM has now matured to have relatively stable surplus annual cashflows and
Sean believes LM could sustain a regular dividend pay-out ratio of approximately 33%.
Required:
(a) Explain why the activist investor may be dissatisfied with LM’s returns to shareholders
despite its sector-leading Return on Capital.
(6 marks)
(b) Calculate the impact on LM’s WACC of the possible bond issue.
(14 marks)
(c) Provide recommendation(s) to Sean for distributing ongoing surplus cashflows and the
bond proceeds to shareholders.
(10 marks)
(TOTAL: 30 MARKS)
© UCD 2019/2020 Page 6 of 7
Question 4
Answer both parts of this question.
Part (a)
A friend is excited about the potential returns from investing in shares listed in Imaginland, a
liberalising former communist country. Her stockbroker, however, has cautioned her about
potential ‘agency problems’ investing in a country and in listed companies where there might
not be a well-developed corporate governance regime.
Explain the issue being raised by the stockbroker and the features your friend might look for
in the Imaginland regime to satisfy herself that she will be adequately protected as a
shareholder.
(15 marks)
Part (b)
Theoretical models exist that suggest both a company’s choice of capital structure and its
dividend policy are irrelevant to the value of the firm.
Briefly explain the core rationale for each of these theories and the assumptions they depend
upon which are very unlikely to apply in reality.
(15 marks)
(TOTAL: 30 MARKS)
- oOo -
GENERAL FINANCE FORMULAE
Present value of a perpetuity PV0 = CF1 / r
Terminal Value TV0 = CF1 / (r – g)
Ke = rf + β(rm - rf)
WACC = Ke x (E / D+E) + [Kd * (1-t)] x (D/ D+E)
PRESENT VALUE DISCOUNT FACTORS
Discount Rate
Time 4% 4.5% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13%
0 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000
1 0.9615 0.9569 0.9524 0.9434 0.9346 0.9259 0.9174 0.9091 0.9009 0.8929 0.8850
2 0.9246 0.9157 0.9070 0.8900 0.8734 0.8573 0.8417 0.8264 0.8116 0.7972 0.7831
3 0.8890 0.8763 0.8638 0.8396 0.8163 0.7938 0.7722 0.7513 0.7312 0.7118 0.6931
4 0.8548 0.8386 0.8227 0.7921 0.7629 0.7350 0.7084 0.6830 0.6587 0.6355 0.6133
5 0.8219 0.8025 0.7835 0.7473 0.7130 0.6806 0.6499 0.6209 0.5935 0.5674 0.5428
6 0.7903 0.7679 0.7462 0.7050 0.6663 0.6302 0.5963 0.5645 0.5346 0.5066 0.4803
7 0.7599 0.7348 0.7107 0.6651 0.6227 0.5835 0.5470 0.5132 0.4817 0.4523 0.4251
8 0.7307 0.7032 0.6768 0.6274 0.5820 0.5403 0.5019 0.4665 0.4339 0.4039 0.3762
9 0.7026 0.6729 0.6446 0.5919 0.5439 0.5002 0.4604 0.4241 0.3909 0.3606 0.3329
10 0.6756 0.6439 0.6139 0.5584 0.5083 0.4632 0.4224 0.3855 0.3522 0.3220 0.2946
Page 7 of 7
