Working Capital Management, Financial Management

Assignment Help:
The management of Nelson plc wish to estimate their firm’s equity beta. Nelson has had a stock market quotation for only two months and the financial management feels that it would be inappropriate to estimate beta from the actual share price behavior over such a short period. Instead it is proposed to ascertain, and where necessary adjust, the observed equity betas of other companies operating in the same industry, and with the same operating characteristics as Nelson, as these should be based on similar levels of systematic risk and be capable of providing an accurate estimate of Nelson’s beta

Three companies have been identified as firms having operations in the same industry as Nelson with identical operating characteristics. However, only one company, Oak plc, operates exclusively in the same industry as Nelson. The other two companies have some dissimilar activities or opportunities in additional to those which are the same as those of Nelson.

Details of the three companies are as follows;

a. Oak plc has an observed equity beta of 1.12. The capital structure at market value is 60% equity, 40% debt.

b. Beech plc has an observed equity beta of 1.11. It is estimated that 30% of the current market value of Beech is caused by risky growth opportunities which have an estimated beta of 1.9. The growth opportunities are reflected in the observed beta. Beech’s other activities are the same as Nelson’s. Beech is financed entirely by equity.


c. Pine plc has an observed equity beta of 1.14. Pine has two divisions, East and West. East’s operating characteristics are considered to be identical to those of Nelson. The operating characteristics of West are considered to be 50% more risky than those of East. In terms of financial valuation East is estimated as being twice as valuable as west. The capital structure of Pine at market values is 75% equity, 25% debt.

Nelson is financed by equity. The tax rate is 40%.

Required

a. Assuming all debt is virtually risk-free, make three estimate of the equity beta of Nelson plc. The three estimates should be based, separately, on the information provided for Oak, Beech and Pine.

b. Explain why the estimated beta of Nelson, when eventually determined from observed share price movements, may differ from the value derived from the approach in (a) above.

c. State the reason why a company has a very volatile share price and is generally considered to be extremely risky can have a lower beta value, and therefore lower financial risk, than an equally geared firm whose share price is much less volatile.

Related Discussions:- Working Capital Management

Financial mangement enviroment, 1. role financial intermediaries 2. nature ...

1. role financial intermediaries 2. nature and role of money markets

Cost of sales and functioning costs, Entity A is significantly smaller than...

Entity A is significantly smaller than B in terms of revenue and would not impact LOP's revenue to the same extent. However A earns a noticeably better gross profit margin at 26% a

Calculate the risk premium and probabilities , Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is t...

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is trading at 68.15 (Sep 12th 2012 close). JNJ is a large health care conglomerate. It has done well so far this year (though not as well as the market) and

Operating cycle, discuss the applicability of operating cycle and any other...

discuss the applicability of operating cycle and any other financial knowledge to poultry business in uganda

Beta, what is the value of beta for this fund ? If the benchmark index for ...

what is the value of beta for this fund ? If the benchmark index for this mutual fund increased by 11.00% during the period covered by beta measure, what was the rate of return for

You are required to prepare an income statement, This is an individual assi...

This is an individual assignment.  You are employed as a Trainee Accountant by Finners Accountants Ltd. The Finance Manager, Mr B Proudfoot has asked you to review details from

Do you agree or disagree with this statement, Companies with rapidly growin...

Companies with rapidly growing levels of sales do not need to worry about raising funds from outside the firm.  Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  Explain. Disagree

Explain the features of new public management, Question 1: "The governa...

Question 1: "The governance of modern states demands that a relentless struggle be waged against the scourge of corruption." Discuss. Question 2: Explain clearly how th

Explain the operating profit margin - performance ratios, Operating profit ...

Operating profit margin Operating profit margin    =   (PBIT / Turnover) x 100% This is the ratio of operating profit to turnover or sales. A high operating profit margin is

Why auditors need to attain audit evidence, Why auditors need to attain aud...

Why auditors need to attain audit evidence When significant fluctuations/unexpected relationshipsare identified which are inconsistent with  other  relevant  information  or  t

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd