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

NPV, Roxanne invested $560,000 in a new business 7 years ago. The business ...

Roxanne invested $560,000 in a new business 7 years ago. The business was expected to bring in $8,000 each month for the next 26 years (in excess of all costs). The annual cost of

Accounting framework - convention of conservation, Accounting Framework - C...

Accounting Framework - Convention of Conservation Conservatism refers to the principle and practices that are established through way of tradition, reluctance to change from e

Semi-strong-form of efficiency, Semi-Strong form level of Efficiency This...

Semi-Strong form level of Efficiency This level states that share prices reflects all available public information. (past and present information). If the market has achieved thi

Compare potential liability of owners of proprietorships, Compare and contr...

Compare and contrast the potential liability of owners of proprietorships, partnerships (general partners), and corporations. The sole proprietor has infinite liability for mat

Total revenue change, Write an essay explaining that the quantities of good...

Write an essay explaining that the quantities of goods and services that we can produce are limited by both our available resources and by technology. Assume we want to increase

Caselet 2, SUGGESTION REGARDING CREDIT LIMIT. SHOULD IT BE APPROVED OR NOT,...

SUGGESTION REGARDING CREDIT LIMIT. SHOULD IT BE APPROVED OR NOT, WHAT SHOULD BE THE AMOUNT OF CREDIT LIMIT THAT ELECTRONICS GIVE TO BOOTH PLASTICS

Components of a callable bond, Components of a Callable Bond A callable...

Components of a Callable Bond A callable bond can be thought of as the sale of a call option by the investor to the issuer as it allows the issuer to repurchase the bond from t

Define intermediation, Define intermediation . The monetary system mak...

Define intermediation . The monetary system makes it possible for deficit and surplus economic units to come together exchanging funds for securities to their mutual benefit.

Define floating rate notes, Define Floating Rate Notes Floating-rate n...

Define Floating Rate Notes Floating-rate notes (FRNs) are commonly medium-term bonds along with their coupon payments indexed to some reference rate.  Common reference rates a

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