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Corporate Finance Theory

Analytical Thinking

Course Description

Development of a framework that is useful for understanding a broad range of important corporate financial decisions. Substantial emphasis will be placed on discussion of the determinants of corporate financing and payout policies, alternative methods of security issuance, and mergers and acquisitions.


Athena Title

Corporate Finance Theory


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in FINA 4200E


Prerequisite

FINA 3000 or FINA 3000H or FINA 3000E


Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will analyze and interpret corporate financial statements to assess firm performance.
  • Students will apply valuation methods (DCF, WACC, multiples) to value securities, projects, and firms.
  • Students will evaluate financing alternatives, including capital structure, payout policy, and security issuance, and assess their impact on firm value.
  • Students will recognize and explain the limitations of applying corporate finance theory to real-world problems, including mergers, distress, and stakeholder impacts.
  • Students will communicate financial reasoning clearly and collaborate effectively in problem-solving activities.

Topical Outline

  • Introduction to corporate finance: goals and principles
  • Financial statement analysis and forecasting
  • Valuation techniques: DCF, multiples, WACC
  • Capital budgeting and investment decision rules
  • Cost of capital and firm and security valuation
  • Capital structure: leverage, risk, and firm value
  • Payout policy (dividends and share repurchases)
  • Security issuance, risk management, and mergers & acquisitions
  • Applications, limitations, and real-world challenges

Institutional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.



Syllabus