BØK 3632 Financial Strategy

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

BØK 3632 Financial Strategy


Responsible for the course
Siv J Staubo

Department
Department of Financial Economics

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
The essence of business administration includes corporate finance (i.e. investment and financing). Good knowledge within these areas is a necessary prerequisite to understand the economic content of investment and financing decisions, obtain decision-relevant information, discuss and assess alternatives, make correct decisions and convey relevant and useful information.

The aim of this course within the field of corporate finance is to provide the students with essential basic knowledge and skills, so that they can take part in discussions on problems in finance and carry out simple analyses within the field, make correct decisions and communicate the results of the analyses in a comprehensible manner.

The course Financial Strategy is mainly focused on financing issues and management of financial risks. By studying the main activities carried out in a company as financing projects over multiple periods, emphasis is placed on evaluating all economic effects of the project and of taking a long-term perspective. The course therefore starts with capital structure and dividend decisions, followed by an introduction to option pricing and management of foreign exchange risk.


Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
After taking the course, the students shall be able to explain key concepts and give an account of the tools used in analyses of corporate finance problems (these tools include methods, techniques, models, theories, etc. applied in the subject area).

  • Examples of concepts that students should be able to explain: capital structure decisions in different tax regimes, how dividend decisions might affect firm value, how a project's investment and financing decisions can be valued separately, how foreign exchange risk affects financing decisions, the key concepts of options
  • Examples from the toolbox: valuation methods, cash flow effects of paying (distribution) policy, option pricing, foreign exchange relationships.

Acquired skills
After taking the course, the students shall be able to (a) apply knowledge (i.e. concepts and skills) in analyses and discussions on financial problems, (b) distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, and (c) give written answers to questions so that the readers understand the applied methods and conclusions. Examples:
  • When the tool is given, be able to apply the tool correctly
  • Based on simple situation descriptions, choose the right tool and apply it correctly
  • Based on more complex situation descriptions, be able to produce relevant information, link it to the suitable tool and apply the tool correctly

Reflection
After taking the course, the students shall be able to ask critical questions and reflect on crucial assumptions and theories within the field of corporate finance..


Prerequisites
The course Basic Financial Management from the Bachelor of Business Administration Program, or equivalent.

Compulsory reading
Books:
Bøhren, Øyvind og Dag Michalsen. 2012. Finansiell økonomi : teori og praksis. 4. utg. Fagbokforlaget. Kapittel 5-11
Korsvold, Pål og Geir Bjønnes Høidal. 2012. Finansiell risikostyring. Cappelen Damm akademisk

Other:
Rentetabeller. Siste utgave. Handelshøyskolen BI


Recommended reading
Books:
Korsvold, Pål E. og Geir Bjønnes Høidal. 2012. Finansiell risikostyring. Oppgaver og løsninger. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. Kapittel 1-4

Course outline

  1. Financial Leverage and Risk. BM ch. 6
  2. Capital Structure Decisions. BM ch. 7-8
  3. Adjusted Present Value. BM ch. 9
  4. Dividend Policy. BM ch. 10
  5. Option Pricing Theory. BM ch. 11
  6. FOREX and Risk Management. KB ch. 1-4

Computer-based tools
Students are recommended to use computer-based tools, e.g. spreadsheets. Such tools, however, are not allowed at the examination.

Learning process and workload
The course will include a combination of lectures and plenary tutorials where solutions to exercises will be explained.

Please note that whilst attendance is not compulsory, it is the students responsibility to obtain any information provided in class that is not included on the course homepage/It's learning or the text book.

The following is an indication of the time required:
Activity
Hours
Lectures
39
Plenary tutorials where exercises will be explained
6
Preparation for lectures and plenary tutorials
115
Preparation for the final exam
40
Total recommended use of time
200


E-learning
The e-learning platform It’s learning is used by the e-learning centre to administrate the mandatory exercises, and make students able to communicate with each other ant the Lecturer. Module sessions are carried out at the beginning of the semester and before exams. The e-learning students are also offered a study guide which is an educational guide to the syllabus.


Examination
A three-hour individual multiple-choice examination concludes the course.

Examination code(s)
BØK 36321 -Multiple-choice examination, counts 100% towards the grade in the course BØK 3632 Financial Strategy, 7,5 ECTS credits.

Examination support materials
A BI-approved exam calculator and interest rate tables are allowed.
Examination support materials at written examiniations are explained under examination information in the student portal @BI. Please note use of calculator and dictionary. https://at.bi.no/EN/Pages/Exa_Hjelpemidler-til-eksamen.aspx

Re-sit examination
A re-sit examination is offered every term.

Additional information

Semesters

Translations