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Udemy

Corporate Finance: Financial Analysis and Decision-Making

via Udemy

Overview

Unlocking Financial Insights for Informed Decision-Making and Valuation Strategies: An In-Depth Course

What you'll learn:
  • Apply financial ratios (liquidity, profitability, efficiency) to assess the financial health of companies accurately.
  • Analyze financial statements using current ratio, quick ratio, and cash ratio to evaluate the company's liquidity position.
  • Evaluate solvency by calculating debt ratio, debt-to-equity ratio, and interest coverage ratio for a comprehensive assessment.
  • Assess operational efficiency using inventory turnover, receivables turnover, and asset turnover ratios to identify areas of improvement.
  • Utilize forecasting and budgeting techniques to predict sales and cash flow accurately for effective financial planning.
  • Perform break-even analysis and analyze leverage to determine the profitability and risk of the company.
  • Evaluate financing decisions by considering optimal capital structure and its impact on the cost of capital.
  • Manage current assets, including cash, inventory, and receivables, to optimize operational efficiency.
  • Apply time value of money principles to calculate present and future values of cash flows for investment analysis.
  • Value bonds, common stock, and preferred stock using appropriate valuation methods such as discounted cash flow and comparable analysis.
  • Calculate the cost of debt, cost of equity, and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) to assess the investment's financial feasibility.
  • Apply capital budgeting techniques (NPV, IRR, payback period) to evaluate investment projects' profitability and viability.
  • Use risk tools such as standard deviation, beta, and diversification to assess and manage investment risk.
  • Understand the role of investment banking in initial public offerings (IPOs), debt offerings, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
  • Analyze equity financing options and evaluate their impact on the company's financial structure.
  • Evaluate the impact of dividend policy on shareholder wealth and the company's financial stability.
  • Examine convertible bonds and warrants as financial instruments for corporate financing strategies.
  • Understand the process of corporate acquisitions and post-acquisition integration for effective business expansion
  • Evaluate the impact of foreign currency on financial statements in international operations and assess exchange rate risk.
  • Apply financial analysis techniques to assess profitability and financial performance in foreign markets.

Welcome to our comprehensive online course on corporate finance and financial statement analysis. In this course, we will provide an in-depth exploration of the key concepts and tools used in corporate finance.

We will start with an introduction to financial statements, covering the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. You will learn how to analyze these statements to assess a company's financial performance and make informed decisions.

Financial ratios will be a central focus of the course. We will delve into liquidity ratios, such as the current ratio and quick ratio, to evaluate a company's short-term solvency. Profitability ratios, including return on equity and gross margin, will help you assess a company's profitability. Additionally, we will explore leverage ratios, such as debt-to-equity ratio and interest coverage ratio, to gauge a company's financial risk.

Forecasting and budgeting are crucial skills in corporate finance. You will learn techniques to create financial forecasts and budgets, enabling you to anticipate future financial outcomes and plan for growth. We will discuss methods such as trend analysis, regression analysis, and the use of financial models to make reliable projections.

Leverage and break-even analysis will be covered extensively. You will understand the impact of debt and fixed costs on a company's profitability and risk. We will calculate and interpret various leverage ratios, such as the debt ratio and equity multiplier, and explore break-even analysis to determine the level of sales needed to cover costs.

Financing decisions are fundamental to corporate finance, and we will explore different sources of financing available to companies. You will learn about debt financing, equity financing, and the trade-offs between them. We will discuss the cost of capital and capital structure optimization to help you make optimal financing decisions.

Effective management of current assets is vital for maintaining liquidity and operational efficiency. Topics covered include working capital management, cash flow analysis, inventory management, and accounts receivable management. You will gain practical insights into techniques for optimizing current assets to support the company's financial health.

Short-term financing options, such as bank loans, lines of credit, and trade credit, will be explored in detail. You will understand the benefits and risks associated with different short-term borrowing options and how to assess their suitability for a company's financing needs.

The time value of money is a fundamental concept in finance, and we will cover it extensively. You will learn about present value, future value, annuities, and the calculation of interest rates. These skills will enable you to evaluate investment opportunities, project valuation, and capital budgeting decisions.

Valuation methods for bonds, common stock, and preferred stock will be thoroughly explained. We will discuss discounted cash flow analysis, dividend discount models, and price-earnings ratios to assess the intrinsic value of these securities. You will gain insights into the factors that influence the valuation of financial instruments.

Capital budgeting techniques, including net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period analysis, will be covered in detail. You will learn how to evaluate investment projects and make informed decisions based on their expected cash flows and profitability.

Managing investment risk is crucial, and we will explore techniques for measuring and managing risk. You will gain a deep understanding of portfolio theory, diversification strategies, and risk-adjusted return metrics to optimize your investment decisions.

The course will also delve into investment banking and the role of underwriters in capital markets. You will learn about the process of issuing securities, initial public offerings (IPOs), and the various functions of investment banks in facilitating capital raising activities.

Long-term debt financing, including bonds and loans, will be discussed extensively. We will cover debt valuation, debt covenants, and the impact of long-term debt on a company's capital structure. You will gain insights into the factors to consider when evaluating and structuring long-term debt financing.

Additionally, we will explore financing through common stock and preferred stock, dividend policy, convertible bonds, and warrants. You will understand the complexities associated with these financing instruments and their implications for a company's capital structure and shareholder value.

Finally, we will examine the dynamics of corporate acquisitions and the challenges posed by foreign currency. You will gain insights into the complexities of international finance, including exchange rate risk and the management of foreign currency transactions.

Throughout the course, you will have access to comprehensive case studies, practical exercises, and downloadable resources, including Excel files and reference materials, to reinforce your learning and provide hands-on experience in applying the concepts.

Enroll now in this comprehensive corporate finance course to enhance your financial analysis skills, decision-making abilities, and strategic insights, and gain a competitive edge in the dynamic world of corporate finance.

Taught by

Robert (Bob) Steele

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4.4 rating at Udemy based on 954 ratings

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