Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

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FM – May 2016 – L3 – Q7 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Comparing the cost of financing equipment replacement through an outright purchase funded by a loan versus a finance lease.

Question

MK Plc is considering the best way to finance the replacement for a particular high specification piece of equipment that has become too costly to maintain. The replacement equipment is estimated to have a useful life of 4 years with no residual value after that time.

Two alternative financing schemes are being evaluated:

Scheme A: Buy the equipment outright funded by a bank loan
Scheme B: Enter into a four-year finance lease

Scheme A: Buy outright, funded by a bank loan
MK Plc could purchase the equipment outright at a cost of N200 million on July 1, 2016. MK Plc can normally borrow at an annual interest rate of 13% per year.

Scheme B: Four-year finance lease
The equipment would be delivered on July 1, 2016, and MK Plc would pay a fixed amount of N58,790,000 each year in advance, starting on July 1, 2016, for four years. At the end of four years, ownership of the equipment will pass to MK Plc without further payment.

Other Information:

MK Plc has a cost of equity of 20% and WACC of 16%
MK Plc is liable to company tax at a marginal rate of 30%, which is settled at the end of the year in which it arises
Tax depreciation allowances on the full capital cost are available in equal instalments over the first four years of operation

You are required to:

a.

Calculate which payment method is expected to be cheaper for MK Plc and recommend which should be chosen solely on the present value of the two alternatives as at July 1, 2016. (13 Marks)

b.

Discuss the appropriateness of the discount rate used in (a). (2 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Discount rate, Equipment Financing, Financing, Lease, Loan, Present Value
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – May 2016 – L3 – Q5 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Preparation of a report identifying factors in choosing the appropriate debt finance mix and restrictions on debt raising for a company.

Question

BADEJO Limited, a small company, is currently considering a major capital investment project for which additional finance will be required. It is not currently feasible to raise additional equity finance, consequently debt finance is being considered. The decision has not yet been finalized whether this debt finance will be short or long term and whether it will be at fixed or variable rates. The financial controller has asked you, as the company’s Accountant, to prepare a report for the forthcoming meeting of the board of directors.

You are required to:

a.

Prepare a draft report to the board of directors which identifies and briefly explains:
The main factors to be considered when deciding on the appropriate mix of short, medium, or long-term finance for BADEJO Limited. (8 Marks)

b.

The practical considerations which could be factors in restricting the amount of debt BADEJO Limited could raise. (7 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Capital Investment, Debt Capacity, Debt Finance, Financing Mix, Long-Term Finance, Short-term Finance
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – May 2016 – L3 – Q3 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Calculation of bond issue price, yield to maturity, and duration, and discussion of conflicts between shareholders and bondholders.

Question

(a)

Skylet Limited is a major player in the aviation industry with a credit rating of AA. The company plans to raise ₦5 billion from the bond market. The features of the bond are:

Maturity: 4 years
Coupon payment: Annual
Coupon rate: 5%
Redemption value: Par

The current annual spot yield curve for government bonds is as follows:

Term	Spot Rate
One-year	3.3%
Two-year	3.8%
Three-year	4.5%
Four-year	5.3%

The following table of spreads (in basis points) is given for the aviation industry:

Rating	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year	4 Year
AAA	12	23	36	50
AA	27	40	51	60
A	43	55	67	80

You are required to calculate:
i. The issue price of the bond. (6 Marks)
ii. The yield to maturity. (3 Marks)
iii. The duration. (6 Marks)

(b)

Discuss why conflicts of interest might exist between shareholders and bondholders. (5 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Bond pricing, Credit Rating, Duration, Shareholder-Bondholder Conflict, Spot Rates, Yield to Maturity
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – May 2016 – L3 – Q2 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Analysis of the impact of a rights issue on shareholder wealth, financial ratios, and evaluation of its appropriateness.

Question

BeeJay Plc is a medium-sized manufacturing company which is considering a 1-for-5 rights issue at a 15% discount to the current market price of ₦4.00 per share. Issue costs are expected to be ₦220,000, and these costs will be paid out of the funds raised. It is proposed that the funds raised from the rights issue will be used to redeem some of the existing debentures at par.

(a)

Ignoring issue costs and any use that may be made of the funds raised by the rights issue, calculate:
i. the theoretical ex-rights price per share.
ii. the value of the rights per existing share. (3 Marks)

(b)

Calculate the current earnings per share and the revised earnings per share if the proceeds of the rights issue are used to redeem some of the existing debentures. (4 Marks)

(c)

Evaluate whether the proposal to redeem some of the debentures would increase the wealth of the shareholders of BeeJay Plc. Assume that the price/earnings ratio of BeeJay Plc remains constant. (2 Marks)

(d)

Discuss the reason why a rights issue could be an attractive source of finance for BeeJay Plc. Your discussion should include an evaluation of the effect of the rights issue on the debt/equity ratio and interest cover. (11 Marks)

Answer

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Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – May 2017 – L3 – Q4 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Analyze and propose the use of convertible bonds for funding a warehouse project.

Question

You are a financial consultant to a major company based in Kano. The company plans to build a major warehouse in Abuja. You plan to convince the company’s manager to raise the needed funds through a convertible bond issue. Based on the company’s current bond rating of BBB, you have projected the following offer terms:

Maturity: 6 years
Annual Coupon: 1%
Conversion Ratio: 50 shares
Par Value per Bond: ₦1,000
Issue Price: 98% of par value
Current Stock Price: ₦16
Risk-free Rate: 0.5%
Coupon on Straight Bonds: 2% (trading at par)

The proposal suggests raising up to ₦20,000,000. However, with key financial ratios close to the boundaries of the rating category, offering the full amount could threaten the BBB rating.

Given an average business risk profile, the following rating guidelines apply:

Rating Category	Minimum Interest Cover	Default Spread
BBB	2.39	0.5%
BBB-	2.04	1.0%

Selected Financial Data about the Company:

Estimated EBIT: ₦2,200,000
Current Interest Expenses: ₦800,000

Required:

a.
i. Determine the value of the convertible bond offer. (5 Marks)
ii. Discuss why the convertible bond cannot generally be considered as “cheap debt” despite its low coupon, given its financing advantage quantified in economic terms. (3 Marks)

b.
i. Compute the company’s current interest coverage ratio. (1 Mark)
ii. How much money should be raised with the convertible bond issue (in thousands of naira) to avoid the threat of a rating downgrade, based on the quoted rating guidelines? (4 Marks)

c. Advise the company on the advantages of convertible bonds for companies on one hand and for investors on the other hand. (7 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Convertible Bonds, Financial Ratios, Financing Strategy
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – May 2017 – L3 – Q2 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Calculate gearing ratio, rights issue impacts, and shareholder implications.

Question

LL Plc. is a large engineering company. Its ordinary shares are quoted on the Stock Exchange.

LL Plc.’s Board is concerned that the company’s gearing level is too high and that this is having a detrimental impact on its market capitalisation. As a result, the Board is considering a restructuring of LL Plc.’s long-term funds, details of which are shown here as at 28 February, 2017:

Funding Source	Total Par Value (₦m)	Market Value
Ordinary Share Capital (50k)	67.5	₦2.65/share ex-div
7% Preference Share Capital (₦1)	60.0	₦1.44/share ex-div
4% Redeemable Debentures (₦100)	45.0	90% ex-int

The debentures are redeemable in 2022. LL Plc.’s earnings for the year to 28 February, 2017 were ₦32.4 million and are expected to remain at this level for the foreseeable future. Retained earnings, as at 28 February, 2017 were ₦73.2 million.

The Board is considering a 1 for 9 rights issue of ordinary shares, and this additional funding would be used to redeem 60% of LL Plc.’s redeemable debentures at par. However, some of LL Plc.’s directors are concerned that this issue of extra ordinary shares will cause the company’s ordinary share price and its earnings per share (EPS) to fall by an excessive amount, to the detriment of LL Plc.’s shareholders. Accordingly, they are arguing that the rights issue should be designed so that the EPS is not diluted by more than 5%.

The Directors wish to assume that the income tax rate will be 21% for the foreseeable future and the tax will be payable in the same year as the cash flows to which it relates.

Required:
a. i. Calculate LL Plc.’s gearing ratio using both book and market values. (5 Marks)

ii. Discuss, with reference to relevant theories, why LL Plc.’s Board might have concerns over the level of gearing and its impact on LL Plc.’s market capitalisation. (6 Marks)

b. Assuming that a 1 for 9 rights issue goes ahead, calculate the theoretical ex-rights price of LL Plc.’s ordinary share and the value of a right. (3 Marks)

c. Discuss the Directors’ view that the rights issue will cause the share price and the EPS to fall by an excessive amount, to the detriment of LL Plc.’s ordinary shareholders. Your discussion should be supported by relevant calculations. (6 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Capital structure, EPS, Rights Issue, Share Price
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – Nov 2014 – L3 – SC – Q6b – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Examine reasons for conflict of interest between shareholders and bondholders.

Question

Discuss any FIVE reasons why conflict of interest may exist between shareholders and bondholders. (5 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Bondholders, Conflict of Interest, Financing decisions, Governance, Risk Management, Shareholders
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets
Series: NOV 2014

FM – Nov 2014 – L3 – SB – Q4 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Compare bond issuance methods, steps for IPO success, and Efficient Market Hypothesis application.

Question

A pharmaceutical company wholly owned by the family of Chief Adedutan Jolomi has been in business for many years. The directors have decided to seek quotation on the Alternative Securities Market (ASEM).

A new drug on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was developed by the company. The production of the new drug will require more funding since short-term finance will not be sufficient. They believed it was time to introduce the drug into the market.

The directors of the company believed that launching the product would significantly increase the company’s share of the market because the country was anxiously looking forward to an effective EVD drug. Production and launch of this product is costly, and the company’s shareholders may not be able to raise such funds. This informed the directors’ decision to seek additional finance to be sourced partly in corporate bond and partly by the issue of shares.

They plan to issue the corporate bond in the first quarter of 2015 and the shares through an Initial Public Offer (IPO) towards the end of the year 2015. To decide on the appropriate method for the offer, the directors are interested in being educated on the issue.

Required:

(a) Compare and contrast the methods of issuing bonds through private placement and by public offer. State their advantages and advise on which method would be more appropriate in the above situation. (12 Marks)
(b) Advise the directors on the steps that need to be taken to improve the chances and success of its proposed Initial Public Offer (IPO). (4 Marks)
(c) Explain the three forms of Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), indicating which of them is most likely to apply in practice. (4 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Corporate Bonds, EMH, Financing Strategy, IPO, Private placement, Public offer
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets
Series: NOV 2014

FM – May 2021 – L3 – Q2 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Evaluate financing options for Gap Plc, including rights issue and debt issue, using CAPM, market dynamics, and strategic implications.

Question

You should assume that the current date is 31 December 2019.
You work for Eko Corporate Finance (ECF). One of the clients for whom you are responsible is Gap Plc (GP).

Gap Plc is a listed company and is seeking to raise ₦560 million to invest in new projects during 2020. Currently, Gap Plc is financed by equity. However, at a recent board meeting, the finance director stated that, since other companies in Gap Plc’s industry have average gearing ratios (measured by debt/equity by market value) of 30% (with a maximum of 40%) and an average interest cover of 6 times (with a minimum of 5 times), perhaps the company should access the debt markets. The finance director presented to the board two alternative sources of finance to raise the ₦560 million.

Equity Issue:
The ₦560 million would be raised by a 1 for 2 rights issue, priced at a discount on the current market value of GP’s shares.

Debt Issue:
The ₦560 million would be raised by an issue of 7% coupon bonds, redeemable on 31 December 2029. The yield to maturity (YTM) of the bonds would be equal to the YTM of the bonds of Eko Ventures (EV), another listed company in Gap Plc’s market sector. Eko Ventures has a similar risk profile to Gap Plc and has recently issued its bonds. Eko Ventures’ bonds have a coupon of 7%, will be redeemed in four years at par, and their current market price is ₦110 per ₦100 nominal value.

There were concerns expressed by a number of board members regarding the debt issue since it has been the long-standing policy of the company not to borrow. Their concerns were how Gap Plc’s shareholders and the stock market would react. The company’s cost of capital would increase as a result of the borrowing, leading to a fall in the company’s value.

An extract from Gap Plc’s most recent management accounts is shown below:

₦m
Operating profit	200
Taxation at 20%	(40)
Profit after tax	160

Additional Information:

Gap Plc has an equity beta of 1.1
The risk-free rate is expected to be 3% p.a.
The market return is expected to be 8% p.a.
Gap Plc’s current share price is ₦5 per share ex-dividend.
Gap Plc has 320 million ordinary shares in issue.

Required:

a. Calculate, using the CAPM, Gap Plc’s cost of capital on 31 December 2019. (1 Mark)

b. Assuming a 1 for 2 rights issue is made on 1 January 2020:
i. Calculate the discount the rights issue represents on Gap Plc’s current share price. (1 Mark)
ii. Calculate the theoretical ex-rights price per share. (1 Mark)
iii. Discuss whether the actual share price is likely to be equal to the theoretical ex-rights price. (4 Marks)

c. Alternatively, assuming debt is issued on 1 January 2020:
i. Calculate the issue price and total nominal value of the bonds that will have to be issued to give a YTM equal to that of Eko Ventures’ bonds in the above calculation. (5 Marks)
ii. Discuss the validity of the use of the YTM of Eko Ventures’ bonds in the above calculations. (3 Marks)

d. Outline the advantages and disadvantages of the two alternative sources for raising the ₦560 million, discuss the concerns of the board regarding the bond issue (using the gearing and interest cover information provided by the finance director), and advise Gap Plc’s board on which source of finance should be used. (5 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: CAPM, Debt Financing, Gearing Ratio, Interest Cover, Rights Issue
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – May 2022 – L3 – Q2 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Evaluate the financing options for Effe's expansion and provide advice on creditworthiness for a bond investment.

Question

Effe is a Nigerian company specialising in the provision of information systems solutions to large corporate organisations. It is going through a period of rapid expansion and requires additional funds to finance the long-term working capital needs of the business.

Effe has issued one hundred million N1 ordinary shares, which are listed on the stock market at a current market price of N15 with typical increases of 10% per annum expected in the next five years. Dividend payout is kept constant at a level of 10% of post-tax profits. Effe also has N1,000 million of bank borrowings.

It is estimated that a further N300 million is required to satisfy the funding requirements of the business for the next five-years beginning July 1, 2021. Two major institutional shareholders have indicated that they are not prepared to invest further in Effe at the present time and so a rights issue is unlikely to succeed. The directors are therefore considering various forms of debt finance. Three alternative structures are under discussion as shown below:

Five-year unsecured bank loan at a fixed interest rate of 7% per annum;
Five-year unsecured bond with a coupon of 5% per annum, redeemable at par and issued at a 6% discount; and
A convertible bond, issued at par, with an annual coupon rate of 4.5% and a conversion option in five years’ time of five shares for each ₦100 nominal of debt.

There have been lengthy boardroom discussions on the relative merits of each instrument. Summarised below are the queries of three different directors concerning the instruments.

Director A: “The bank loan would seem to be more expensive than the unsecured bond. Is this actually the case?”
Director B: “Surely, the convertible bond would be the cheapest form of borrowing with such a low interest rate?”
Director C: “If we want to increase our equity base, why use a convertible bond, rather, than a straight equity issue?”

Required:

a. Write a response to the queries raised by the three directors and advise on the most appropriate financing instrument for Effe. In your answer, include calculations of appropriate yield for each instrument. Ignore tax. (15 Marks)
b. Advise a prospective investor in the five-year unsecured bond issued by Effe on what information he should expect to be provided with and what further analysis he should undertake in order to assess the credit worthiness of the proposed investment. (5 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Convertible Bonds, Credit Analysis, Debt Instruments, Equity Financing, Yield Calculations
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – May 2023 – L3 – Q4 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Evaluate the implications of equity financing decisions, analyze pre-emptive rights, estimate share price, and explore factors affecting price movement.

Question

The directors of Kenny plc wish to make an equity issue to finance an ₦800 million expansion scheme, with an expected net present value of ₦110 million. It is also to re-finance an existing 15% term loan of ₦500 million and pay off a penalty of ₦35 million for early redemption of the loan.

Kenny has obtained approval from its shareholders to suspend their pre-emptive rights and for the company to make a ₦1,500 million placement of shares, which will be at the price of 185 kobo per share. Issue costs are estimated to be 4 per cent of gross proceeds. Any surplus funds from the issue will be invested in commercial paper, which is currently yielding 9 per cent per year.

Kenny’s current capital structure is summarised below:

₦ million
Ordinary shares (25 kobo per share)	800
Share premium	1,120
Revenue reserves	2,310
Total Equity	4,230
15% term loan	500
11% bond	900
Total Capital	5,630

The company’s current share price is 190 kobo, and bond price is ₦102. Kenny can raise bond or medium-term bank finance at 10 per cent per year.

The stock market may be assumed to be semi-strong form efficient, and no information about the proposed uses of funds from the issue has been made available to the public.

Taxation may be ignored.

Required:

a. Discuss FOUR factors that Kenny’s directors should have considered before deciding which form of financing to use. (6 Marks)

b. Explain what is meant by pre-emptive rights, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. (4 Marks)

c. Estimate Kenny’s expected share price once full details of the placement, and the uses to which the finance is to be put, are announced. (8 Marks)

d. Suggest two reasons why the share price might not move to the price that you estimated in (c) above. (2 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Equity Issue, Market Efficiency, NPV, Pre-emptive rights, Share Valuation
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – Nov 2021 – L3 – Q7 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Analyze the effects of a 1-for-5 rights issue for James Obasi plc, calculate theoretical ex-rights price, and assess investor options and impacts.

Question

James Obasi plc, a medium-sized drone manufacturing firm, is considering a 1-for-5 rights issue at a 15% discount to the current market price of N4.00 per share. Expected issue costs are N2 million, payable from the funds raised. The proceeds from the rights issue will be used to redeem some of the company’s existing bonds at par.

Financial Information:

Statement of Financial Position (N’000):

Required:

a. Ignoring issue costs and any use of the funds raised by the rights issue, calculate: i. The theoretical ex-rights price per share. ii. The value of rights per existing share. (4 Marks)

b. Identify the alternative actions available to an owner of 1,500 shares in James Obasi plc concerning the rights issue and determine the effect of each action on the investor’s wealth. (6 Marks)

c. Calculate the current earnings per share and the revised earnings per share if the rights issue funds are used to redeem some of the existing bonds.
(5 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Corporate Tax, Debt Redemption, Debt-equity ratio, Ex-Rights Price, Financial Position, Interest Cover, Investor Options, Rights Issue, Shareholder Wealth
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – Nov 2021 – L3 – Q3 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Analyze financing alternatives for ZY Plc's new investment and assess rights issue and bond issue implications.

Question

ZY Plc is an all-equity financed, publicly listed company in the food processing industry. The ZY family holds 40% of its ordinary shares, with the remainder owned by large financial institutions. ZY Plc currently has 10 million ₦1 ordinary shares in issue.

Recently, the company secured a long-term contract to supply food products to a large restaurant chain, necessitating an investment in new machinery costing ₦24 million. This machinery will be operational starting January 1, 2022, with payment due the same day, and sales commencing shortly afterward.

The company’s policy is to distribute all profits as dividends. If ZY Plc continues as an all-equity financed company, it will pay an annual dividend of ₦9 million indefinitely, starting December 31, 2022.

To finance the ₦24 million investment, ZY Plc is considering two options:

A 2-for-5 rights issue, where the annual dividend would remain at ₦9 million. The cum-rights price per share is expected to be ₦6.60.
Issuing 7.5% irredeemable bonds at par with interest payable annually in arrears. For this option, interest would be paid out of the ₦9 million otherwise allocated to dividends.

Under either financing method, the cost of equity is anticipated to remain at its current rate of 10% annually, with no tax implications.

Required:

a. Calculate the issue and ex-rights share prices of ZY Plc., assuming a 2-for-5 rights issue is used to finance the new project as of January 1, 2022. Ignore taxation. (4 Marks)

b. Calculate the value per ordinary share in ZY Plc on January 1, 2022, if 7.5% irredeemable bonds are issued to finance the new project. Assume that the cost of equity remains at 10% each year. Ignore taxation. (4 Marks)

c. Write a report to the directors of ZY Plc that includes: i. A comparison and contrast of the rights issue and bond issue methods for raising finance, referencing calculations from parts (a) and (b) and any assumptions. (6 Marks)
ii. A discussion on the appropriateness of the following alternative methods of issuing equity finance in the specific context of ZY Plc: – A placing – An offer for sale – A public offer for subscription (6 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Bond Issue, Cost of Equity, Dividend Policy, Equity Financing, Financial strategy, Financing Alternatives, Investment Financing, Public Offering, Rights Issue, Share Valuation
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – Nov 2018 – L3 – Q2 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Evaluate financing options for machine acquisition using present value and compare traditional financing with Islamic finance.

Question

Tamilore Limited (TL) is an agro-based firm, specializing in yam and rice production in Benue State of Nigeria. One of the harvesters is due to be replaced on November 30, 2018, the last day of TL’s current financial year. An investment appraisal exercise has recently been completed which confirmed that it is financially beneficial to replace the machine at this point. TL is now considering how best to finance the acquisition of the harvester to be replaced. TL is already highly geared.

A government development agency has offered the following two alternative methods of financing the machine:

Alternative 1
A loan of N49,200,000 at 6% interest rate to buy the machine on November 30, 2018. If this option is selected, the machine will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 5 years.

Alternative 2
Enter into a finance lease. This will involve payment of annual rental of N12 million with the first payment due on November 30, 2019. The lease payments will be for the entire estimated useful life of the machine, which is 5 years, after which ownership will pass to TL without further payment.

Other information

(i) Whether leased or purchased outright, maintenance would remain the responsibility of TL and would be N450,000 payable annually in advance.
(ii) TL is liable to tax at a rate of 25%, payable annually at the end of the year in which the tax charge or tax saving arises.
(iii) TL is able to claim capital allowances on the full capital cost of the machine in equal installments over the first four years of the machine.
(iv) Assume that TL has sufficient taxable profits to benefit from any savings arising therefrom.
(v) All workings in N’000.

Required:

a. Show that the implied interest rate in the lease agreement is 7%. (3 Marks)

b. Advise, using present value method, whether Tamilore Limited should borrow to buy the machine or lease it. (12 Marks)

c. Instead of lease financing, one director has suggested an equivalent Islamic finance.

i. Explain briefly the principles of Islamic finance. (2 Marks)

ii. Explain three main advantages of Islamic finance. (3 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Capital allowances, Financing decisions, Investment Appraisal, Islamic Finance, Lease vs Buy, Present Value Analysis, Tax implications
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

FM – Nov 2022 – L3 – Q3 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Evaluate the financing structure and calculate required return, WACC, and factors influencing beta.

Question

Zakai (ZK) Plc is a listed company that owns and operates a large number of farms throughout the country. A variety of crops are grown.

Financing Structure:
The following is an extract from the statement of financial position of ZK Plc as at 30 September 2021:

The ordinary shares were quoted at ₦3 per share ex div on 30 September 2021. The beta of ZK Plc’s equity shares is 0.8; the annual yield on treasury bills is 5%, and financial markets expect an average annual return of 15% on the market index.

The market price per preference share was ₦0.90 ex div on 30 September 2021. Loan stock interest is paid annually in arrears and is allowable for tax at 30%. The loan stock was priced at ₦100.57 ex interest per ₦100 nominal on 30 September 2021. Loan stock is redeemable on 30 September 2022.

Assume that taxation is payable at the end of the year in which taxable profits arise.

A New Project:
Difficult trading conditions have caused ZK Plc to decide to convert a number of its farms into camping sites with effect from the 2022 holiday season. Providing the necessary facilities for campers will require major investment, and this will be financed by a new issue of loan stock. The returns on the new campsite business are likely to have a very low correlation with those of the existing farming business.

Required:

a. Using the capital asset pricing model, calculate the required rate of return on equity of ZK Plc as at 30 September 2021. Ignore any impact from the new campsite project. (3 Marks)

b. Briefly explain the implications of a beta of less than 1, such as that for ZK Plc. (2 Marks)

c. Calculate the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of ZK Plc as at 30 September 2021 (use your calculation in answer to requirement (a) above for the cost of equity). Ignore any impact from the new campsite project. (10 Marks)

d. Without further calculations, identify and explain the factors that may change ZK Plc’s equity beta during the year ending 30 September 2022. (5 Marks)

(Total 20 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Beta Analysis, CAPM, Cost of Capital, Equity Valuation, Financing Structure, Investment decisions
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets
Series: NOV 2022

FM – Nov 2022 – L3 – Q2 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Evaluating financing options (rights issue vs convertible loans) for Balama Plc's expansion.

Question

Balama Plc. (Balama) is a listed manufacturer of dairy products. In recent years, the company has experienced only a modest level of growth, but following the recent retirement of the chief executive, his replacement is keen to expand Balama’s operations.

The board of directors has recently agreed to support a proposal by the new chief executive that the company purchase new manufacturing equipment to enable it to expand its range of dairy products. The new equipment will cost N50 million, and the company is seeking to raise new finance to fund the expenditure in full. However, the board of directors is undecided as to how the new finance is to be raised. The directors are considering either a 1 for 5 rights issue at a price of N2.50 per share with a theoretical ex-rights price of N2.92 or a convertible loan of N50 million.

The loan will be secured against the company’s freehold land and buildings. The company’s share is presently quoted at a price of N3.00 per share.

Required:

a. Explain the terms ‘rights issue’ and ‘convertible loans’. (3 Marks)

b. Explain how the ‘theoretical ex-rights’ price of N2.92 is calculated and why the actual price might be different. Show your workings. (4 Marks)

c. Prepare a report for the board of directors that fully evaluates the two potential methods of financing the company’s expansion plans. (13 Marks)

(Total 20 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Convertible Loans, Cost of Capital, Equity Financing, Financial strategy, Financing Expansion, Loan financing, Rights Issue, Shareholder Value
Level: Level 3

Topic: Financing Decisions and Capital Markets
Series: NOV 2022

FM – Nov 2017 – L3 – Q3 – Financing Decisions and Capital Markets

Calculate theoretical ex-rights price, evaluate shareholder options, discuss EMH implications, and analyze market timing for Peter Plc’s equity financing.

Question

Peter Plc. is a large, listed manufacturing company that is currently considering how best to raise new equity finance. One option is to undertake a public issue of new shares, a course of action recently approved by the shareholders. Alternatively, the company is considering a 1 for 4 rights issue at a 10% discount to the current market price of N5.00 per share.

The company has approached several investment banks regarding the potential new rights issue and public issue. During these discussions, one investment bank stated that the precise timing of a rights issue would be of no consequence. The bank is of the opinion that a public issue of new shares should not be undertaken at the present time. It recommended that if the company wishes to pursue a public issue, it should be deferred for a minimum of six months. The bank explained that, at present, the stock market is significantly undervaluing Peter Plc.’s shares. Consequently, the company would have to issue far more shares to raise the required amount of finance than it would in six months.

The Finance Director of Peter Plc. is uncertain about this and, at a recent board meeting where the matter was discussed, made the following statement:

“According to the Efficient Market Hypothesis, all share prices are correct at all times, with prices moving randomly when new information is publicly announced. The analysts at investment banks are unable to predict future share prices.”

Required:

(a) Calculate the theoretical ex-rights price per share and the value of the rights per existing share, assuming the company chooses this option. (2 Marks)
(b) Discuss the alternative courses of action open to the owner of 500 shares in Peter Plc. as regards the rights issue, in each case, determining the effect on the wealth of the investor. (4 Marks)
(c) Discuss the factors that will influence the actual ex-rights price per share. (4 Marks)
(d) Discuss the meaning and significance of the three forms of the Efficient Market Hypothesis and, with specific reference to these, discuss both the recommendation that the company waits for six months before undertaking a public issue and the Finance Director’s statement. (10 Marks)

(Total 20 Marks)

Answer

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Tags: Efficient Market Hypothesis, Investment decisions, Rights Issue, Share Valuation, Stock Market, Theoretical ex-rights price
Level: Level 3