Reference no: EM132105546

Question: 1) There are three (3) types of textbook based homework items located at the end of each chapter. These include Discussion Questions (DQ), Exercises (E), and Problems (P). Some homework items have been custom created.

Complete the following homework scenario:

Required: Compare the results of the three (3) methods by quality of information for decision making. Using what you have learned about the three (3) methods, identify the best project by the criteria of long term increase in value. (You do not need to do further research.) Convey your understanding of the Time Value of Money principles used or not used in the three (3) methods. Review the video titled "NPV, IRR, MIRR for Mac and PC Excel" to help you understand the foundational concepts:

Scenario Information: Assume that two gas stations are for sale with the following cash flows: CF1 is the Cash Flow in the first year, and CF2 is the Cash Flow in the second year. This is the timeline and data used in calculating the Payback Period, Net Present Value, and Internal Rate of Return. The calculations are done for you. Your task is to select the best project and explain your decision. The methods are presented and the decision each indicates is given below.

Investment Sales Price CF1 CF2 Gas Station A $50,000 $0 $100,000 Gas Station B $50,000 $50,000 $25,000

Three (3) Capital Budgeting Methods are presented:

1. Payback Period: Gas Station A is paid back in 2 years: CF1 in year 1, and CF2 in year 2. Gas Station B is paid back in one (1) year. According to the payback period, when given the choice between two mutually exclusive projects, the investment paid back in the shortest time is selected.

2. Net Present Value: Consider the gas station example above under the NPV method, and a discount rate of 10%:

• NPV gas station A = $100,000/(1+.10)2 - $50,000 = $32,644

• NPV gas station B = $50,000/(1+.10) + $25,000/(1+.10)2 - $50,000 = $16,115

3. Internal Rate of Return: Assuming 10% is the cost of funds. The IRR for Station A is 41.421%.; for Station B, 36.602.
Summary of the Three (3) Methods:

• Gas Station B should be selected, as the investment is returned in 1 period rather than 2 periods required for Gas Station A.

• Under the NPV criteria, however, the decision favors gas station A, as it has the higher net present value. NPV is a measure of the value of the investment.

• The IRR method favors Gas Station A, as it has a higher return, exceeding the cost of funds (10%) by the highest return.

2) Please note that this assignment is based on a pretend scenario and fictitious money. However, the assignment is based on actual stock pricing in real time situations. Do not invest your personal money for this assignment.

This is the week you have been waiting for - to see if you are walking home a ‘pretend' millionaire, or whether you would be finding a side job to recoup your losses.

For Week 10, review your investment for the last time. You must:

1. Record the current price of the stock for each company you selected in Week 3's Stock Journal. You may use any price during this week (e.g., day one price, the opening, the low, the high, the close, or any price you find when you check it during the day). Using a MS Excel spreadsheet or MS Word document, put your Week 8 and Week 10 stock prices side-by-side, to show the comparison.

2. Determine the total value of your investment.

3. Provide your final opinion / assessment of your investments. Did you make money or lose money? Discuss your results and, based on hindsight, describe what you would do differently.

4. Discuss what you learned from this assignment. Do you believe this assignment will help you in the future in any way?

3) Careers in Finance

Finance is an exciting field in need of intelligent, skilled people. The job opportunities range from corporate finance; financial planning; investment banking; insurance; and real estate from individuals, institutions, government, and businesses. Finance managers acquire, spend, and manage money and other financial assets.

Use the Internet and / or Strayer Resource Center to research career options within the field of finance. Consider the Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, and the Websites of finance professional associations such as the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP), The National Association for Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), and Financial Management Association International (FMA).

Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:

1. Describe two (2) financial career options that an individual with a finance education might pursue and explain the value that such a position adds to a company.

2. Explain the essential skills that would make a person successful in each of the described positions.

3. Recommend one (1) of the career options. Identify the most attractive features of the position.

4. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:

• Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.

• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Describe the forms of business organizations and the role of financial managers within an organization.

• Use technology and information resources to research issues in finance.

• Write clearly and concisely about finance using proper writing mechanics.