Accounting and Finance

Corporate and International Finance

Module code: N1563
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Unseen examination, Coursework

This module has two aims:

  • to foster critical understanding of the important ideas and analytical tools used in corporate financial decision making
  • to develop an appreciation of the challenges to implementing these ideas and tools via debate in the corporate finance literature and events reported in the financial press.

Topics include:

  • the corporation
  • the nature of financial decision-making
  • interest rates
  • valuing bonds and stocks
  • investment decision rules
  • capital budgeting
  • capital markets and the pricing of risk
  • portfolio choice and the capital asset pricing model
  • the cost of capital
  • investor behaviour and capital market efficiency
  • capital structure in a perfect market
  • debt and taxes
  • financial distress
  • managerial incentives and information
  • payout policy
  • mergers and acquisitions.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of the essential principles and analytical tools of corporate finance
  • Critically discuss and evaluate these principles and analytical tools
  • Relate the principles and tools, and the debates surrounding them, to today's events, appreciating the difficulties of applying the theory to the real world.
  • Demonstrate the ability to form judgments and take decisions in the face of uncertainty while armed with inadequate ideas and tools.