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The assistant portfolio manager for an asset management firm is asked to review the attractiveness of a Japanese telecom sector. The performance of this particular sector has been declining. He must analyse one of the leading companies within the sector to determine its value and if further analysis of the entire sector should be done. Students are exposed to industry analysis and are shown how to incorporate conclusions from this analysis into the discounted cash flow model.

RFA Capital Management Inc. is the asset management subsidiary of Realty Financial Advisors Inc. The two principals of the company were deciding whether to bid on a recent investment opportunity. An upcoming commercial mortgage backed securities transaction was looking for a risk buyer for its high yield debt bonds and the principals were interested in participating in the transaction. This was a relatively new investment class. They wondered how they could sell this opportunity to one of RFA Capital Management's institutional or private investors, what yield requirements they should demand and how to price these bonds. As time was a factor, they wondered whether they should bid on this investment opportunity without first lining up the capital. They also wondered what long-term opportunities this investment might provide.

The Western Investment Club was one of the largest student clubs at the University of Western Ontario. The club's portfolio had incurred a substantial loss over the previous year. Because of this loss, an analyst and member of the club felt a more in-depth analysis regarding the overall strategy of the portfolio was necessary. There were two strategic issues the analyst wanted to address. First she felt it was difficult to interpret the performance of the portfolio as no previous benchmark of comparison had been used. Second, she examined the composition of the portfolio over the past six years and noticed a divergence in the allocation to asset classes on an annual basis. She must determine how the allocation of assets affects the performance on the portfolio and whether or not the lack of an asset allocation strategy impedes the educational experience of the Western Investment Club members.

Two managers attending an executive education course attempt to develop a cost of capital estimate for a leading telecommunications company. The two managers are confused about the costs of various sources of capital, the calculation of the overall corporate cost of capital, and the appropriate use of the hurdle rate. They must investigate the concept of cost of capital, review historical data on risk premiums, develop a process for estimating the various components of the cost of capital, and determine the corporate cost of capital.

The accountant for Palmer Limited, a sheet metal sub-contractor, has been asked to provide a monthly cash budget along with the projected income statement and balance sheet for her client. The request came about because the banker is concerned about whether Palmer Limited can repay its loan.

Air New Zealand is a national airline faced with a number of important strategic and financial issues. The company's recent acquisition of Ansett Australia had proved to be disastrous and a severe financial drain for Air New Zealand. Key issues facing Air New Zealand include the long-term strategic positioning of the business, and determining anticipated financing needs, the appropriate gearing ratio or capitalization (debt-to-equity) rate, and available sources of financing. A recent research report had summarized two fundamental questions that impacted on the company's stock price and needed to be addressed: Would the New Zealand government relax Air New Zealand's ownership restrictions in order to allow Singapore Airlines to increase its stake from 25 per cent to 49 per cent? If so, would any proposal fix Air New Zealand's balance sheet to allow Air New Zealand and Ansett to once again become viable airline competitors? Supplement to this case is Air New Zealand: The Recapitalization Decision (B), product number 9B02N020.

This is a supplement to Air New Zealand: The Recapitalization Decision (A), product 9B02N017. The chairman of Air New Zealand is chairing the company's first annual meeting and is faced with a number of financial and strategic issues that have an impact on the survival of the airline.

Air New Zealand is a national airline faced with a number of important strategic and financial issues. The company's recent acquisition of Ansett Australia had proved to be disastrous and a severe financial drain for Air New Zealand. Key issues facing Air New Zealand include the long-term strategic positioning of the business, and determining anticipated financing needs, the appropriate gearing ratio or capitalization (debt-to-equity) rate, and available sources of financing. A recent research report had summarized two fundamental questions that impacted on the company's stock price and needed to be addressed: Would the New Zealand government relax Air New Zealand's ownership restrictions in order to allow Singapore Airlines to increase its stake from 25 per cent to 49 per cent? If so, would any proposal fix Air New Zealand's balance sheet to allow Air New Zealand and Ansett to once again become viable airline competitors? Supplement to this case is Air New Zealand: The Recapitalization Decision (B), product number 902N20. .

This is a supplement to Air New Zealand: The Recapitalization Decision (A), product 902N17. The chairman of Air New Zealand is chairing the company's first annual meeting and is faced with a number of financial and strategic issues that have an impact on the survival of the airline.

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Board is a nine member board appointed to administer the well-established Ontario Teachers' pension plan. At one time, there were concerns that the plans value of liabilities was exceeding the value of assets. Through the board's investment strategy, the plan turn itself around and now had a surplus. The board needed to consider the best investment options for this surplus to reduce the risk of surplus loss. One option is investment in timberland - land with the potential to grow commercial tree crops. The board's director of research and economics is preparing an analysis of the pros and cons of investing in timberland and must recommend whether the board should consider such an investment.

An associate director at Scotia Capital Markets must make a recommendation to his client, Empire Company Limited (Empire), regarding a possible bid for rival Oshawa Group Limited (Oshawa). Both companies are in the food retail and wholesale business. Empire was based in Atlantic Canada, with an expanding presence in Ontario and Quebec, while Oshawa competes on a national basis. There were increasing public signals and rumors that suggested that Oshawa's controlling shareholders (the Wolfe family), might be willing to entertain an offer for the company. To get a clearer picture of the value of the company, the associate director performed a discounted cash flow analysis and comparable analyses to determine the stand-alone and synergy values of the acquisition target. He also had to consider the methods of financing the acquisition and examine the effect of the ownership structure on the market for corporate control.

<p style="color: rgb(197, 183, 131);"><strong> AWARD WINNER - Regional Asia-Pacific Case Writing Competition</strong></p><br>The Internet investment craze was starting to catch on in Hong Kong. Tom.com Limited, a Hong Kong based Internet company, was planning an initial public offering at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. A portfolio manager for EuroGlobal Funds was to provide his professional opinion on the value of this investment and its appropriateness for different investors. He was aware of the difficulties in valuing Internet companies and the debate over the choice of valuation methods. Among these, one approach was to analyze the implied hyper-growth rate that Internet companies had to achieve in the next five years in order to justify their current valuations. He decided to apply this approach to Tom.com. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the different valuation methods and the development of Internet and e-commerce companies, especially topics such as business models and expected growth.

The Internet investment craze was starting to catch on in Hong Kong. Tom.com Ltd., a Hong Kong-based Internet company, was planning an initial public offering at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. A portfolio manager for EuroGlobal Funds was to provide his professional opinion on the value of this investment and its appropriateness for different investors. He was aware of the difficulties in valuing Internet companies and the debate over the choice of valuation methods. Among these, one approach was to analyze the implied hyper-growth rate that Internet companies had to achieve in the next five years to justify their current valuations. He decided to apply this approach to Tom.com.

The vice-president of acquisitions for Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust (CREIT) was contemplating two investment opportunities facing his firm. CREIT had been very aggressive recently in an attempt to increase the size and diversity of its portfolio. One potential deal that he was contemplating involved the purchase of a 161-unit apartment building in a Montreal suburb, while the other potential deal involved the purchase of a retail complex in a Chicago suburb. Both deals were under a due diligence period, meaning that CREIT had a short period of time to review the properties and decide whether or not to proceed with either purchase. He had to make his recommendation to the senior board of CREIT, and he wondered what specifically about each property was attractive or unattractive, whether the respective markets justified the price levels, and if the respective properties were consistent with CREIT's acquisitions strategy. The case introduces real estate investment trusts and demonstrates some generic concepts relating to the valuation of real estate assets, including discounted cash flow and comparable sales analysis.

Canada's largest privately owned department store, the T. Eaton Company Ltd., founded in 1869, had recently emerged from bankruptcy protection and was now planning to raise $175 million through an initial public offering (IPO). Investment bankers must determine the appropriate share price and consider the appropriateness of the timing for the issue. The case describes North American retail industry trends and the bankruptcy protection process and provides a detailed discussion of the IPO process and valuation considerations. Detailed comparables are provided for such firms as Federated, Nordstrom's and Dillard. The case provides an opportunity to apply a number of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow, price-to-earnings multiples and enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiples.

An investment advisor for National Securities Inc. had just met with a high-net-worth client to discuss equity investment opportunities in various industries or sectors. Her task was to help the client understand the importance of industry analysis as part of the stock selection process. In particular, she wanted to demonstrate how various industries were related to overall economic performance, as well as various industry life cycle stages. This case allows students to assess a particular industry, the auto parts industry, in order to categorize both the type and life cycle stage. This case is the first in a series of three cases that focus on a variety of stock investment decisions. (See 9A99N007 and 9A99N009.)

In 1999, an investment advisor for National Securities Inc. had just met with a client who was looking for some interesting stocks to add to his portfolio of investments. He wanted to understand how to analyze a particular company's financial statements and project earnings, and a target share price. This case allows students to assess a particular company's financial statements in order to determine, based on the Dupont method, the drivers behind internal growth. The price-earnings valuation method is also presented. This case is the second in a series of three cases that focus on a variety of stock investment decisions. (See 9A99N006 and 9A99N009.)

An investment advisor for National Securities Inc. was preparing to meet with a client. Based on the advisor's recommendation, the client had previously added an auto parts company to his portfolio of stock investments. Now, as he became more sophisticated, the client wanted to understand the potential benefits and risks of trading call options and put options. This case is the third in a series of three cases that focus on a variety of stock investment decisions. (See 9A99N006 AND 9A99N007.)

This note provides an overview of business valuation techniques. The discounted cash flow method is described in a simple six-step process. A numerical example is also provided. Other valuation methods are briefly discussed, including the price-earnings approach, break-up value, and an acquisition premium approach. This note is ideally suited for an executive audience. (A more in-depth note in this area can be found in A Note on Mergers and Acquisitions and Valuation, case number 9A95B023.)

Canada's largest privately owned department store, The T. Eaton Company Limited, founded in 1869, had recently emerged from bankruptcy protection and was now planning to raise $175 million through an initial public offering (IPO). Investment bankers must determine the appropriate share price and consider the appropriateness of the timing for the issue. The case describes North American retail industry trends and the bankruptcy protection process, and provides a detailed discussion of the IPO process and valuation considerations. Detailed comparables are provided for such firms as Federated, Nordstrom's and Dillard. The case provides an opportunity to apply a number of valuation techniques including discounted cash flow, price-to-earnings multiples and enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiples.