This course provides an advanced exploration of corporate finance, equipping learners with critical skills to analyse financial statements and make informed financial decisions. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the time value of money, interest rates, and the valuation of bonds and stocks. The course covers key investment decision-making tools, including capital budgeting, and explores risk-return dynamics through the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and portfolio theory. Additionally, learners will evaluate the effects of capital structure, leverage, and financial distress on firm value. Special topics such as mergers and acquisitions, risk management, and international corporate finance are also covered.

Module Aim

The course aims at exposing students to the main corporate finance principles that would assist them analyse and examined corporate finance in the decision-making process.

Module Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to: 
1.    Critically evaluate the role of corporations in financial markets and their financial decision-making processes.
2.    Analyse and interpret financial statements to derive insights into a firm’s financial health and performance.
3.    Apply advanced financial principles to assess the time value of money and interest rate dynamics in decision-making.
4.    Develop and implement investment evaluation strategies using capital budgeting and valuation methods for bonds and stocks.
5.    Assess risk-return trade-offs in capital markets using the Capital Asset Pricing Model and optimal portfolio theories.
6.    Evaluate the implications of capital structure, debt, and taxes on firm valuation and financial strategy.
7.    Conduct comprehensive valuations considering leverage and analyse the effects of financial distress and managerial incentives.
8.    Synthesise complex information to assess mergers, acquisitions, risk management strategies, and international corporate finance.