Market Beta, Corporate Finance

Assignment Help:
The management of Nelson plc wish to estimate their firm’s equity beta. Nelson has had a stock market quotation for only two months and the financial management feels that it would be inappropriate to estimate beta from the actual share price behavior over such a short period. Instead it is proposed to ascertain, and where necessary adjust, the observed equity betas of other companies operating in the same industry, and with the same operating characteristics as Nelson, as these should be based on similar levels of systematic risk and be capable of providing an accurate estimate of Nelson’s beta

Three companies have been identified as firms having operations in the same industry as Nelson with identical operating characteristics. However, only one company, Oak plc, operates exclusively in the same industry as Nelson. The other two companies have some dissimilar activities or opportunities in additional to those which are the same as those of Nelson.

Details of the three companies are as follows;

a. Oak plc has an observed equity beta of 1.12. The capital structure at market value is 60% equity, 40% debt.

b. Beech plc has an observed equity beta of 1.11. It is estimated that 30% of the current market value of Beech is caused by risky growth opportunities which have an estimated beta of 1.9. The growth opportunities are reflected in the observed beta. Beech’s other activities are the same as Nelson’s. Beech is financed entirely by equity.


c. Pine plc has an observed equity beta of 1.14. Pine has two divisions, East and West. East’s operating characteristics are considered to be identical to those of Nelson. The operating characteristics of West are considered to be 50% more risky than those of East. In terms of financial valuation East is estimated as being twice as valuable as west. The capital structure of Pine at market values is 75% equity, 25% debt.

Nelson is financed by equity. The tax rate is 40%.

Required

a. Assuming all debt is virtually risk-free, make three estimate of the equity beta of Nelson plc. The three estimates should be based, separately, on the information provided for Oak, Beech and Pine.

b. Explain why the estimated beta of Nelson, when eventually determined from observed share price movements, may differ from the value derived from the approach in (a) above.

c. State the reason why a company has a very volatile share price and is generally considered to be extremely risky can have a lower beta value, and therefore lower financial risk, than an equally geared firm whose share price is much less volatile.

Related Discussions:- Market Beta

Impact of cost structure, You are required to provide a report of approx 50...

You are required to provide a report of approx 500 words or less (excluding attachments and references), accompanied by relevant calculations, in MS Word, MS Excel and/or PDF forma

Securitization- technique of bundling and off-loading risks, Question: ...

Question: (a) i. Expected loss= Exposure amount* probability of default* loss given default ii. Positive covenants= covenants that showing the direction to a company. P

Benefits of building a collar strategy, a)    Put options on Chicken King w...

a)    Put options on Chicken King with a strike price of $42.50 and 2 months to maturity are properly priced to sell for $3.68 (no bid-ask spread).  Call options with the same stri

Calculate the stock rate of distribution, A owns all of the stock of X.  Th...

A owns all of the stock of X.  The stock's basis is $100.  X has a total of current and accumulated earnings and profits of $50.  X distributes $200 cash to A "with respect to his

EBIT, Firm A has $10,000 in assets entirely financed with equity. Firm B al...

Firm A has $10,000 in assets entirely financed with equity. Firm B also has $10,000 in assets, but these assets are financed by $5,000 in debt (with a 10 percent rate of interest)

How do mergers affect small businesses?, How do mergers affect small busine...

How do mergers affect small businesses? A: According to a recent study by Federal Reserve and Wharton Financial Institutions Center economists, not a great deal. Their analysis

IRR & WACC, I have been given 3 different types of projects. They state th...

I have been given 3 different types of projects. They state the IRR and how much the project will add. The question goes on to give a WACC with break points. The question wants

Epact 179d accelerated depreciation, Explain in detail, using the time valu...

Explain in detail, using the time value of money,if its better to receive a 685k tax deduction in 1 year vs 17,564.10 each year for 39 years.(inflation, opportunity cost, etc...) T

Renowned Cola, corporate finance, Financial Accounting Calculate the market...

corporate finance, Financial Accounting Calculate the market value of Renowned Cola''''s debt at year-end 2005. What is the book value of debt? Why do usually use market or book va

Core principles for effective banking supervision, Question: a) The ne...

Question: a) The new capital management framework provides an upgrade of the old version in terms of new risk management techniques. What is the scope of application for the n

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd