Spring 2015

Loyola University Chicago—John Felice Rome Center

 

BUSINESS FINANCE (FINC 332)

Spring Semester 2015

Day & Time:  Mondays/Wednesdays 5:00-6:15pm

Location:  TBA

Prof. David Pollon

Email:  davidpollon@yahoo.com

 

Course Description

 

Principles underlying the financial management of a business: time value of money, securities valuation, capital budgeting, cost of capital, sources of funds, capital structure policy, cash management and dividend policy.

 

Pre-requisite: ACCT 201 (Financial Accounting), ECON 201 (Introduction to Microeconomics), and ISOM 241 (Business Statistics)

 

Course Learning Objectives

 

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

 

1)      Apply fundamental financial techniques to solve common business problems

2)      Evaluate financial opportunities using relevant theory and practice

3)      Critique strategic issues from a financial perspective

 

Course Learning Activities

 

Textbook Readings:   

Chapter readings are assigned according to the schedule that follows.  Textbook reading is required and is designed both to reinforce what is discussed in class, and to cover topics for which classroom time is insufficient.

 

End-of-Chapter Problems

Homework problems will be assigned for each chapter.  These problems will not be collected or graded, but selected problems will be discussed in class.  These problems mirror exam questions.

 

Assessment Tools

 

Exams = 90% of the final course grade

There will be three equally weighted exams, each worth 30% of the final course grade.  Grades are awarded based on each student’s correct answers and his ability to clearly explain the calculation process.

 

Class Participation = 10% of the final course grade

This part of the student’s grade is based on the contribution to class discussions by way of asking and answering questions, and assisting in bringing about a productive learning environment.  Attendance is also included in this part of the course grade.

 

Grading Scale

 

93-100 = A      86-88 = B+      75-77 = C+      63-67 = D+     below 60 = F

89-92 = A-      81-85 = B        71-74 = C        60-62 = D

78-80 = B-       68-70 = C-      

 

Attendance Policy

 

Attendance is included in the Class Participation element of the course grade.  However, students missing

more than seven classes, whether excused or unexcused, will fail the course.

 

Course Textbook

 

Besley and Brigham. 2013. CFIN3. South-Western, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 1-133-626408

 

Supporting / Optional Reading Material

 

Brigham, Eugene F. and Joel F. Houston. 2012. Fundamentals of Financial Management: ConciseEdition, 7th ed. Thomson South-Western  *Chapters from this textbook are indicated in ( ).

 

Course Schedule

 

1) Monday, January 19, 2015 An Overview of Managerial Finance

Finance manager’s responsibilities, business ethics, agency relationships

• Readings: Chapter 1 (no homework) (1)*

 

2) Wednesday, January 21, 2015 The Financial Markets and the Investment Banking Process

Financial markets and institutions

• Readings: Ch. 3 (2)

 

3) M 1/26 Financial Statements

Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow

• Readings: Ch. 2 (no homework) (3)

 

4) W 1/28 Analysis of Financial Statements

Ratio analysis

• Readings: Ch. 2 continued (4)

 

5) M 2/2 The Time Value of Money

Future value, present value

• Readings: Ch. 4 (5)

 

6) W 2/4 The Time Value of Money

Annuities, uneven cash flow streams

• Readings: Ch. 4 (5)

 

7) M 2/9 The Cost of Money

Interest rates

• Readings: Ch. 5 (6)

 

8) W 2/11 Bonds

Characteristics and valuation

• Readings: Ch. 6 (7)

 

9) M 2/16 ***Exam #1***

• Readings: Ch. 1-6 (1-7)

 

10) W 2/18 Stocks

Valuation and Characteristics

• Readings: Ch. 7 (9)

 

11) M 2/23 Special Topics

 

12) W 2/25 Special Topics

 

13) M 3/2 Risk and Rates of Return

Defining and measuring risk, Capital Asset Pricing Model

• Readings: Ch. 8 (8)

 

 

Course Schedule continued

 

14) W 3/4 Capital Budgeting Techniques

Payback, net present value, internal rate of return

• Readings: Ch. 9 (11)

 

MIDTERM BREAK

No University classes held week of March 9

 

15) M 3/16 Special Topics

 

16) W 3/18 Special Topics

 

17) M 3/23 The Cost of Capital

Weighted average cost of capital

• Readings: Ch. 11 (10)

 

18) W 3/25 Capital Structure

Business and financial risk, optimal capital structure, degree of leverage

• Readings: Ch. 12 (13)

 

19) M 3/30 Review

• Readings: Ch. 7-9, 11-12 (8-11,13)

 

20) W 4/1 ***Exam #2***

• Readings: Ch. 7-9, 11-12 (8-11,13)

 

No university classes held Monday, April 6 due to Easter Recess

 

21) W 4/8 Special Topics

 

22) M 4/13 Dividend Policy

Signaling, stock splits, free cash flow

• Readings: Ch. 13 (14)

 

23) W 4/15 Working Capital Policy

Cash conversion cycle

• Readings: Ch. 14 (15)

 

24) M 4/20 Managing Short-Term Assets

Credit policy, managing receivables, inventory level and control

• Readings: Ch. 15 (15)

 

25) W 4/22 Managing Short-Term Liabilities

Accounts payable, short-term bank loans

• Readings: Ch. 16 (15)

 

26) Special Makeup Day TBA Review

• Readings: Ch. 13-16 (14-15)

 

27) ***Exam #3***

To take place during Final Examination Week

• Readings: Ch. 13-16 (14-15)