Conflicts between Managers and Shareholders

Agency theory portrayed the fundamental problems in an organization that is self-interested behavior. Self interested behavior was usually direct to an unfavorable effect on any organization which was by and large for the purpose of getting highest share holder wealth. Company managers could have personal objectives that compete with the owner’s objective of maximization of shareholder wealth. Since the shareholders approved managers to administer the firm’s assets, a possible difference of interest occurred between the two groups. Self-Interested Behavior Agency theory argued that, in imperfect capital and labor markets, managers were trying to find make best use of their own values without regard for corporate shareholders. Agents have the capability to manage their own self-interest comparatively more then the best interests of the firm because of asymmetric information (e.g., managers know better than shareholders either they are talented and capable of meeting the shareholders’ objectives and vagueness. Facts of self-interested Continue reading

Relationship Between Operating Leverage and Financial Risk

All strategic investment decisions are going to involve some degree of risk. Risk entails not only the profitable versus unprofitable dichotomy, but also the variability in earnings or losses emanating from an investment project. One dimension of the risk-management question is captured in the concept of operating leverage. Operating leverage is the degree of magnification of earnings or losses (expressed as cash flows or profits) set off by different levels of output. The magnification results from the variable cost versus fixed cost mix in an investment period. Generally the higher the level of fixed commitment in relation to variable costs, the greater is the leverage (and magnification). This, of course, is the central notion in the familiar break-even analysis, where concern is given not only to the break-even point, but also the levels of earnings or losses around it. Operating leverage is a double-edged sword, however. Like financial leverage, operating Continue reading

Concepts and Process of Book Building

Book building is a method of price discovery. In this method, offer price of securities is determined on the basis of real demand for the shares at various price levels in the market. As defined by SEBI guidelines, 1995, “book building is a process undertaken by which a demand for the securities proposed to be issued by a body corporate is elicited and built up and the price for such securities is assessed for the determination of the quantum of such securities to be issued by means of a notice, circular, advertisement, document or information memoranda of offer document.” In book building method, the final issue price is not known in advance. Only a price band is determined and made public before opening of the bidding process. The spread of price between floor price and cap in the price band should not be more than 20%. It means that the Continue reading

Creative Accounting – Definition, Techniques and Ethical Considerations

Definition of  Creative Accounting   Creative accounting is accounting practice that falls outside the regulation and give benefit to certain people. It can be described as a practice with a clear aim to interrupt the financial reporting process which affects reported income to make it looked normal and provides no true economic advantages to relevant parties like shareholders. Concisely, creative accounting is the transformation of financial accounting figures from what they actually are to what users’ desire by taking advantage of the accounting policies which is permitted by accounting standards. Creative accounting is a practice that potentially being undertaken as a result from some individual care more on their own interest and indirectly causes issues arise in ethical dimension of creative accounting. From information perspective, agency theory gives a clear picture on creative accounting scenario. Whereby managers misuse their privileged position in manipulating financial reporting in their own interest which Continue reading

Debt Equity Ratio

Meaning of Debt Equity Ratio Capitalization of a company consists of funds raised by issuing various types of securities, i.e., ordinary shares, preference shares, debentures etc. To decide as to the ratio of various types of securities to total capitalization is a very difficult task but the decision in this important for the business to decide as to the ratio of ownership capital to the creditorship capital or loan capital. The ratio of borrowed capital to the owned capital may be called debt equity ratio. In other words, debt equity ratio is the ratio between borrowed capital on the one hand and owned capital on the other. Debt equity ratio is positively correlated with the capital gearing. If capital gearing in a company is high, debt equity ratio would also be high or vice versa. For example, if the total capital of Rs. 1,00,000 in a company consists of Rs. Continue reading

DuPont Analysis – Return on Equity (ROE) Analysis

Financial statement analysis is employed for a variety of reasons. Outside investors are seeking information as to the long run viability of a business and its prospects for providing an adequate return in consideration of the risks being taken. Creditors desire to know whether a potential borrower or customer can service loans being made. Internal analysts and management utilize financial statement analysis as a means to monitor the outcome of  policy decisions, predict future performance targets, develop investment strategies, and assess capital needs. As the role of the credit manager is  expanded cross-functionally, he or she may be required to answer the call to conduct financial statement analysis under any of these circumstances. The DuPont analysis is a useful tool in providing both an overview and a focus for such analysis. History of  DuPont Analysis The DuPont model of financial analysis was made by F. Donaldson Brown, an electrical engineer Continue reading