Capital Structure Earnings Management And Risk Of Financial Distress

This book analyzes the impacts that family control of firms has on capital structure choices, leverage and the risk of financial distress, earnings management practices, and the relation between accounting choices and firm market value. For these purposes, longitudinal data on Italian family and non-family non-financial firms are closely analyzed. The Italian setting is of special interest in this context because family businesses account for 94% of GDP, families are particularly committed to maintaining control of firms, and the economy is bank based rather than market based. The analyses draw on the socioemotional wealth approach, which emphasizes the importance of the stock of emotional value in family firms, in combination with financial theories such as Pecking Order Theory, Trade-off Theory, and Agency Theory. The findings cast significant new light on differences between family and non-family firms and the effects of different forms of family influence. The book will have broad appeal for academics, managers, practitioners, and policymakers.

In 1958 an academic paper on corporate finance written by two professors (Merton Miller and Frances Modigliani, who were later awarded the Nobel prize for their research efforts) was published in The American Economic Review. One prime conclusion of their paper was that the exact form of a firm's capital structure did not affect the firm's value. Later papers by the same two authors and by many others modified the assumptions and changed this conclusion. We now think that capital structure decisions do affect a firm's value and corporate managers should understand better the financing alternatives that are available. One of the most important financial decisions is the decision to buy or lease assets. The leasing industry is large and getting larger. Unfortunately, it is very easy for a firm to evaluate incorrectly lease alternatives (see Chapter 12). The capital structure decision is one of the three most important financial decisions that management make (the distribution of earnings and the capital budgeting decisions are the other two contenders). Managers should increase their understanding of capital structure alternatives and remember that choosing the best capital structure is an art and not an exact simple calculation. But applying the art can be improved with understanding.

Inside the risk management and corporate governance issues behind capital structure decisions Practical ways of determining capital structures have always been mysterious and riddled with risks and uncertainties. Dynamic paradigm shifts and the multi-dimensional operations of firms further complicate the situation. Financial leaders are under constant pressure to outdo their competitors, but how to do so is not always clear. Capital Structure Decisions offers an introduction to corporate finance, and provides valuable insights into the decision-making processes that face the CEOs and CFOs of organizations in dynamic multi-objective environments. Exploring the various models and techniques used to understand the capital structure of an organization, as well as the products and means available for financing these structures, the book covers how to develop a goal programming model to enable organization leaders to make better capital structure decisions. Incorporating international case studies to explain various financial models and to illustrate ways that capital structure choices determine their success, Capital Structure Decisions looks at existing models and the development of a new goal-programming model for capital structures that is capable of handling multiple objectives, with an emphasis throughout on mitigating risk. Helps financial leaders understand corporate finance and the decision-making processes involved in understanding and developing capital structure Includes case studies from around the world that explain key financial models Emphasizes ways to minimize risk when it comes to working with capital structures There are a number of criteria that financial leaders need to consider before making any major capital investment decision. Capital Structure Decisions analyzes the various risk management and corporate governance issues to be considered by any diligent CEO/CFO before approving a project.

Essay from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1, University of Applied Sciences Kempten (University of Ulster), language: English, abstract: In accordance with the Signalling model by Ross (1977) an increase in gearing represents, in term of a company’s prospective cash flows, a positive signal to external investors. Because, due to the higher risk of financial distress, companies with less optimistic market prospective tend to avoid additional financial obligations. This implies that an increasing indebtedness means a higher quality of business and therefore better valuation. This leads, in turn, to the assumption that the corporate management can influence a firm’s value by changing its capital structure. If capital structure can affect value, how can firms identify an optimal capital structure and what will it look like? It is that mix of debt and equity that maximises the value of a firm and, at the same time, minimise overall cost of capital. In their seminal article, published in 1958 and 1963, Modigliani and Miller argue that under certain assumptions the value of a firm i s independent of its capital structure, but with tax-deductible interest payments, they are positively related. Moreover, there are other approaches with partly contradictory perceptions. For instance, Myers (1998, cited in Fairchild 2003, p.6) argues that there is no universal optimal mix of debt and equity; in fact it depends on firms or industries, and therefore should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Other researchers have added market imperfections, such as bankruptcy costs, agency costs, and gains from leverage- induced tax shields to the analysis and have maintained that an optimal capital structure may exist (Hatfieldet al.1994, p.1). First, this paper shows the basic determinants of a firm’s value in association with the impact of financial leverage on payoffs to stockholders. Secondly, it considers some arguments of capital structure theories, particularly the Modigliani and Miller theorem and the Traditional approach and contrasts them. Finally, the underlying factors of the model assumptions are examined and shown that they are important in the choice of a firm’s debt-equity ratio.

Essay from the year 2012 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 9, Maastricht University (SBE), course: intermediate financial management (IFM), language: English, abstract: Questions 1A) Business risk is the risk to firm’s stockholders without debt. Business risk can be measured by the standard deviation (later referred to as: SD) of “return of capital invested” ROIC= (EBIT (1-T))/Capital. Typical sources of business risk are factors associated with day-to-day operations of the business, such as input price-, demand-, sales price- and currency variability or the ability to innovate and the extent of operating leverage used. The establishment of long-term contracts can mitigate business risk with suppliers or distributors or with hedging strategies in case of currency risks. On the other hand, financial risk is the risk stockholders bear, because of the use of debt. In the case of debt usage the stockholders bear all the business risk, because debt holders receive a fixed interest payment. 1B/C) The additional risk from the debt can be measured, if one compares the levered beta to the unlevered beta. The levered beta should be higher than the unlevered and therefor react more severe to broad market movements, reflecting the additional risk. Moreover, since the beta is part of the CAPM model, the required return for equity holders rises which makes perfect sense, since equity holders want to be compensated for the additional risk from financial leverage. Leverage increases stockholders ROE, because the denominator of (Net income)/Equity is smaller since V_L consists of debt and equity, in contrast to a all equity financed company. Finally one can compare the SD of a levered and unlevered firm. The higher ROE comes at the cost of an increased SD, because of the higher variability of ROE.

Navigate the intricate terrain of corporate finance with "Capital Structure Dynamics." This comprehensive guide offers strategic insights into the art of balancing debt and equity, providing essential knowledge for students and financial professionals alike. Explore optimal capital structures, leverage ratios, and risk management strategies. Download now to deepen your understanding of financial decision-making, enhance company value, and make informed choices in the ever-evolving business landscape. Elevate your financial proficiency with this essential resource. Download your key to mastering capital structure and optimizing financial success today!

More than thirty leading scholars and finance practitioners discuss the theory and practice of using enterprise-risk management (ERM) to increase corporate values. ERM is the corporate-wide effort to manage the right-hand side of the balance sheet a firm's total liability structure-in ways that enable management to make the most of the firm's assets. While typically working to stabilize cash flows, the primary aim of a well-designed risk management program is not to smooth corporate earnings, but to limit the possibility that surprise outcomes can threaten a company's ability to fund its major investments and carry out its strategic plan. Contributors summarize the development and use of risk management products and their practical applications. Case studies involve Merck, British Petroleum, the American airline industry, and United Grain Growers, and the conclusion addresses a variety of topics that include the pricing and use of certain derivative securities, hybrid debt, and catastrophe bonds. Contributors: Tom Aabo (Aarhus School of Business); Albéric Braas and Charles N. Bralver (Oliver, Wyman & Company); Keith C. Brown (University of Texas at Austin); David A. Carter (Oklahoma State University); Christopher L. Culp (University of Chicago); Neil A. Doherty (University of Pennsylvania); John R. S. Fraser (Hyrdo One, Inc.); Kenneth R. French (University of Chicago); Gerald D. Gay (Georgia State University); Jeremy Gold (Jeremy Gold Pensions); Scott E. Harrington (University of South Carolina); J. B. Heaton (Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP); Joel Houston (University of Florida); Nick Hudson (Stern Stewart & Co.); Christopher James (University of Florida); A. John Kearney and Judy C. Lewent (Merck & Co., Inc.); Robert C. Merton and Lisa K. Meulbroek (Harvard Business School); Merton H. Miller (University of Chicago); Jouahn Nam (Pace University); Andrea M. P. Neves (CP Risk Management LLC); Brian W. Nocco (Nationwide Insurance); André F. Perold (Harvard Business School); S. Waite Rawls III (Continental Bank); Kenneth J. Risko (Willis Risk Solutions); Angelika Schöchlin (University of St. Gallen); Betty J. Simkins (Oklahoma State University); Donald J. Smith (Boston University); Clifford W. Smith Jr. (University of Rochester); Charles W. Smithson (Continental Bank); René M. Stulz (Ohio State University); D. S All the articles that comprise this book were first published in the Journal of Applied Corporate Finance. Morgan Stanley's ownership of the journal is a reflection of its commitment to identifying outstanding academic research and promoting its application in the practicing corporate and investment communities.

An intuitive introduction to fundamental corporate finance concepts and methods Lessons in Corporate Finance, Second Edition offers a comprehensive introduction to the subject, using a unique interactive question and answer-based approach. Asking a series of increasingly difficult questions, this text provides both conceptual insight and specific numerical examples. Detailed case studies encourage class discussion and provide real-world context for financial concepts. The book provides a thorough coverage of corporate finance including ratio and pro forma analysis, capital structure theory, investment and financial policy decisions, and valuation and cash flows provides a solid foundational knowledge of essential topics. This revised and updated second edition includes new coverage of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and its implications for corporate finance valuation. Written by acclaimed professors from MIT and Tufts University, this innovative text integrates academic research with practical application to provide an in-depth learning experience. Chapter summaries and appendices increase student comprehension. Material is presented from the perspective of real-world chief financial officers making decisions about how firms obtain and allocate capital, including how to: Manage cash flow and make good investment and financing decisions Understand the five essential valuation methods and their sub-families Execute leveraged buyouts, private equity financing, and mergers and acquisitions Apply basic corporate finance tools, techniques, and policies Lessons in Corporate Finance, Second Edition provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the basic methods and principles of corporate finance. From determining a firm’s financial health to valuation nuances, this text provides the essential groundwork for independent investigation and advanced study.