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

Exchange Rate Parity Conditions, 1) According to the IFE (RIP), if U.S. inv...

1) According to the IFE (RIP), if U.S. investors expect a 3% rate of domestic inflation over one year, and a 6% rate of inflation in European countries that use the EUR, and requir

Equity instruments, QUASI-INSTRUMENTS These instruments are considered ...

QUASI-INSTRUMENTS These instruments are considered as debt instruments for a time-frame and are converted into equity at the option of the investor (or at company's option) aft

Blade inc case study, what are the advantages blades could gain from import...

what are the advantages blades could gain from importing or exporting to a foreign country such azs thailand?

Explain the cash flow of the volatility, 1. Let's look at the cash flow of ...

1. Let's look at the cash flow of the volatility (variance) spread swap: - ( σ 2 Nasdaq - σ 2 S & P 500 ) N 2 It is noticeable from this expression that investor

The chinese pension fund system, The Chinese Pension Fund System Mainlan...

The Chinese Pension Fund System Mainland China has a rapidly aging population. This is attributable to two main factors - the one-child policy plus substantial improvements in l

Characteristics of hedge funds, Characteristics of Hedge Funds Hedge Fu...

Characteristics of Hedge Funds Hedge Funds are commonly referred to as "absolute return strategies", which means that many are designed to seek positive returns in most market

Stepped spread floaters, Stepped spread floaters have a provision to ...

Stepped spread floaters have a provision to change the quoted margin at certain intervals over a floater's life. The quoted margin could either step to a higher l

Case study - danish mortgage bonds, (a) The subsequent is a discussion base...

(a) The subsequent is a discussion based upon IFR Special Report in issue 1239 during the Year 1998. Danish mortgage bonds have extended been domestic investors' referred d

Calculate the total cashflows, Calculate the Total Cashflows from 2007 - 20...

Calculate the Total Cashflows from 2007 - 2011.  Suppose that the company will require to increase their annual investment in fixed assets (representing new equipment) at the simil

Illustrate methods to manage cash resources, Q. Illustrate Methods to Manag...

Q. Illustrate Methods to Manage cash resources? There are several methods which may be of use in managing resources. The particular tool selected will depend on its reliability

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