Reference no: EM132376049
The purpose of this assignment is to explain core concepts related to stock, equity, debt, and the roles they play in making tactical financial decisions.
Read the Chapter 20 Mini Case on pages 844-846 in Financial Management: Theory and Practice. Using complete sentences and academic vocabulary, please answer questions a and b.
Mini Case
Paul Duncan, financial manager of EduSoft Inc., is facing a dilemma. The firm was founded 5 years ago to provide educational software for the rapidly expanding primary and secondary school markets. Although EduSoft has done well, the firm's founder believes an industry shakeout is imminent. To survive, EduSoft must grab market share now, and this will require a large infusion of new capital.
Because he expects earnings to continue rising sharply and looks for the stock price to follow suit, Mr. Duncan does not think it would be wise to issue new common stock at this time. On the other hand, interest rates are currently high by historical standards, and the firm's B rating means that interest payments on a new debt issue would be prohibitive. Thus, he has narrowed his choice of financing alternatives to: (1) preferred stock, (2) bonds with warrants, or (3) convertible bonds.
As Duncan's assistant, you have been asked to help in the decision process by answering the following questions.
1. How does preferred stock differ from both common equity and debt? Is preferred stock more risky than common stock? What is floating rate preferred stock?
2. How can knowledge of call options help a financial manager to better understand warrants and convertibles?