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Gives students the opportunity to explore issues facing the board of directors in a leveraged buyout. RJR Nabisco is valued under different operating strategies and the source of gains in leveraged buyouts is stressed.

A company is considering the elimination of a product line. As part of that consideration, it must develop possible strategies for closing the division, and identify the economic and non-economic implications of the strategy. The situation is complicated by the company's need for an infusion of equity capital.

Primarily an exercise in quantitative techniques-financial forecasting and simple equity valuation-this case also presents issues related to decision-making and judgments in forecasting, and handling ethical concerns. In February 1986, Alfin, an importer and marketer of perfumes, introduced a skin cream with certain purported medicinal qualities to reduce wrinkles. The product is considered a major breakthrough as an over-the-counter therapy and offers huge potential sales. Students must estimate Alfin's funding needs as a result of that growth, decide whether those needs should be financed with debt or equity, and determine the value of its common stock.

Gives students the opportunity to explore the effect of substantial free cash flow on corporate acquisition and operating strategies. Students are also given the opportunity to extract information from the common stock prices of the participating firms. A variety of valuation techniques are employed to assess the plausibility of a restructuring plan.

Gives students the opportunity to explore how a company uses the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) to compute the cost of capital for each of its divisions. The use of Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) formula and the mechanics of applying it are stressed.

Avon Products announced both a change in its business focus and a reduction of its dividend in June 1988. To offset the likely stock price effect of the dividend reduction, Avon announced at the same time an unusual exchange offer, under which it would take up to 25% of its common stock in exchange for an unusual preferred stock. The case traces the history of Avon from 1979-88. Requires students to evaluate Avon's efforts at diversification in the early 1980s, and to relate that effort to the company's dividend history. Also requires students to evaluate an unusual security. Suitable for first-year students or for a second-year capital markets course.

The CEO of a U.S. electronics firm is assessing the financial forecasts and the financing plan prepared by the chief financial officer. Given the cyclicality of the industry and the volatility of the firm's performance, the CEO is unsure as to the usefulness of forecasts based on straight line extrapolation of rapid sales growth and stable relationships of profits and assets to sales. The teaching objectives include: 1) how many years into the future should the forecasts run given the level of uncertainty, 2) how can one deal with the high uncertainty when preparing the forecasts or designing a financing plan, and 3) how to estimate the financing needs under conditions of adversity.

Describes how to value an acquisition opportunity as a capital budgeting problem. Cash flows are discounted at the cost of capital and debt is deducted to value the equity capital of the target company. A key contribution of the note is the discussion of five methods for establishing a terminal value for future cash flows extending beyond the normal planning horizon.

Spreadsheet supplement for case 289039.

A hypothetical case in which an assistant treasurer of a supranational bank is asked to determine in which currencies it has been cheaper ex post to borrow. An integral part of the case is a Lotus 1-2-3 worksheet containing monthly data on yen and dollar interest rates, exchange rates, and inflation rates from January 1976 to October 1985. The worksheet with accompanying questions prompts students to study the various parity relationships between the yen and the dollar numerically, graphically, or statistically. Students are challenged to draw inferences concerning the circumstances under which a treasurer should expect to prefer borrowing in one currency rather than others. Requires Case Software diskette (9-289-534).

Merck & Co., Inc. is evaluating a proposed cost-saving investment by its Spanish subsidiary. The case introduces techniques of discounted cash flow valuation analysis in a multicurrency setting. Can be used to teach basic international parity conditions as they relate to the value of operating cash flows.

In 1988 Playto Industries' Teach-Her doll, the company's first new product since Jim Clayton became president, was a winner in the East. Clayton planned to take Teach-Her national and to introduce another toy, Playto's Labs. But he needed $30 million--almost as much as the company's existing capitalization--to grow. Monument National Bank would lend no more than $20 million. The best option seemed to be subordinated bonds. Rates were high, but if Playto made the bonds convertible, rates fell from 12.5% to a more manageable 8.75%. Now Clayton has a knot in his stomach: interest coverage might drop to half of that in 1988, a competitor might imitate Teach-Her, Playto's Labs might flop--the company could end up in serious trouble. Five finance experts discuss the case.

Lisa's Waterbed Emporium Inc. is a mini case requiring completion of an income statement, statement of retained earnings and a balance sheet. The case tests the students' knowledge of these three statements as well as the individual accounts.

An account manager of a large bank is reviewing a request for term financing to assist with the repurchase of a minority interest in a large trucking company. The firm is considering a term loan as well as an investment by the venture capital arm of the bank. An equity investment would require agreement on the form of the investment and the price to be paid for any stock issued.

The bank has asked a commercial and industrial mechanical contractor for a forecasted cash budget, income statement and balance sheet. The bank is concerned with whether the company can repay its loan. The case is designed to teach students to incorporate a cash budget into the evaluation of a business that requires bank financing.

The proprietor of a small boat building company plans to expand his operations. First he must decide whether a limited company or partnership would be a better form of organization from the standpoint of taxation and personal liability.

Lisa's Waterbed Emporium Inc. is a mini case requiring completion of an income statement, statement of retained earnings and a balance sheet. The case tests the students' knowledge of these three statements as well as the individual accounts.

Presents common-sized financials for two companies, each of which is in a number of industries. The companies have different market niches, and students are asked to identify the companies from details provided. Also allows for financial comparisons among industries.

Spreadsheet Supplement for case 289031.

At the end of 1984 the Pabst Brewing Co. was the object of a takeover contest for the second time in three years. Nearly two years after a reorganization in early 1983 Pabst still suffered from low margins and high debt service costs. This case describes the takeover contests and asks students to analyze the position of S&P Co., one of the bidders. S&P had several choices including buying all of Pabst or buying part in a deal involving a third party. The decision requires students to estimate the value of Pabst to different bidders, and to consider both product market strategy and bidding strategy.