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(a) Explain the term 'agency costs' and give any three examples of such costs.
(b) On 1 November 2002, Malaba Limited was in the process...
(Solved)
(a) Explain the term 'agency costs' and give any three examples of such costs.
(b) On 1 November 2002, Malaba Limited was in the process of raising funds to undertake
four investment projects. These projects required a total of Sh.20 million.
Given below are details in respect of the projects:
Required:
(i) The levels of total new financing at which breaks occur in the Weighted
Marginal Cost of Capital (WMCC) curve.
(ii) The weighted marginal cost of capital for each of the 3 ranges of levels of total
financing as determined in (i) above.
(iii) Advise Malaba Limited on the projects to undertake assuming that the projects
are not divisible.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Mwamba Limited is considering replacing a production machinery at its Mtwapa plant.
The existing machinery at the plant was bought 3 years ago at a cost...
(Solved)
Mwamba Limited is considering replacing a production machinery at its Mtwapa plant.
The existing machinery at the plant was bought 3 years ago at a cost of Sh.50 million. It
is expected to have a useful life of 5 more years with no scrap value at the end of this
period. The machinery could be disposed of immediately with net proceeds of Sh.35
million after tax.
The new machinery will cost Sh.80 million, with a useful life of 5 years and expected
terminal value of Sh.5 million. With the introduction of the new machinery, sales are
expected to increase by Sh.25 million per annum over the next 5 years. Variable costs
are 60 per cent of sales and the corporate tax rate is at 30 per cent per annum.
The operation of the new machinery will also require an immediate investment of Sh.8
million in working capital which will be recovered at the end of its useful life.
Installation costs of the new machinery will amount to Sh.6 million.
Assume that capital allowances are to be provided for on a straight-line basis and
Mwamba Limited's cost of capital is 12 per cent per annum.
Required:
(i) The initial cash outflow for the replacement decision.
(ii) The annual incremental after tax operating cash flows.
(iii) The NPV of the replacement decision and advise Mwamba Limited on whether
to replace the machinery.
(iv) The minimum after tax annual operating cash flows that will make the
replacement feasible
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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In evaluating investment decisions, cash flows are considered to be more relevant than
profitability associated with the project.
Explain why this is the case.
(Solved)
In evaluating investment decisions, cash flows are considered to be more relevant than
profitability associated with the project.
Explain why this is the case.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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The following information relates to the current trading operations of Maji Mazuri Enterprises (MME) Ltd:
(Solved)
The following information relates to the current trading operations of Maji Mazuri Enterprises (MME) Ltd:
The management of the company is in the process of reviewing the
company's credit management system with the objectives of reducing the operating
cycle and improving the firm's liquidity. Two alternative strategies, now being
considered by management are detailed as follows:
Alternative A: change of credit terms:
The proposal requires the introduction of a 2% cash discount which is expected to have
the following effects:
-50 per cent of the credit customers (and all cash customers) will take advantage
of the 2 per cent cash discount.
- There will be no change in the level of annual sales, the percentage of credit
- sales and the contribution of sales ratio.
- There will be savings in collection expenses of Sh.2,750,000 per month.
- Bad debts will remain at 2 per cent of total credit sales.
- The average collection period will be reduced to 32 days.
Alternative B: contracting the services of a factor:
The factor would charge a fee of 2% of total credit sales and advance MME Ltd. 90%
of total credit sales invoiced by the end of each month at an interest rate of 1.5% per
month.
The effects of this alternative are expected to be as follows:
- No change is expected in the level of annual sales, proportion of credit sales
and contributions -
-margin ratio.
- Savings on debt administration expenses of Sh.1,400,000 per month will result
-All bad debt losses will be eliminated
-The average collection period will drop to 20 days.
Required:
i) Evaluate the annual financial benefits and costs of each alternative (Assume 360 –day year)
ii) Advise MME Ltd. management on the alternative to implement.
iii) Explain briefly other factors that should be considered in reaching the decision in (ii) above.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Discuss the main factors which a company should consider when determining the appropriate mix of long-term and short-term debt in its capital structure.
(Solved)
Discuss the main factors which a company should consider when determining the appropriate mix of long-term and short-term debt in its capital structure.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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P. Muli was recently appointed to the post of investment manager of Masada Ltd. a quoted
company. The company has raised Sh.8,000,000 through a rights issue.
P....
(Solved)
P. Muli was recently appointed to the post of investment manager of Masada Ltd. a quoted company. The company has raised Sh.8,000,000 through a rights issue.
P. Muli has the task of evaluating two mutually exclusive projects with unequal economic lives. Project X has 7 years and Project Y has 4 years of economic life. Both projects are expected to have zero salvage value. Their expected cash flows are as follows:
The amount raised would be used to finance either of the projects. The company expects to pay a dividend
per share of Sh.6.50 in one year's time. The current market price per share is Sh.50.
Masada Ltd. expects the future earnings to grow by 7% per annum due to the undertaking of
either of the projects. Masada Ltd. has no debt capital in its capital structure.
Required:
(a) The cost of equity of the firm.
(b) The net present value of each project.
(c) The Internal Rate of return (IRR) of the projects. (Rediscount cash flows at 24% for project X and 25% for Project Y).
(d) Briefly comment on your results in (b) and (c) above.
(e) Identify and explain the circumstances under which the Net Present Value (NPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) methods could rank mutually exclusive projects in a conflicting way.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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The management of Afro Quatro Ltd. want to establish the amount of financial needs for the
next two years. The balance sheet of the firm as...
(Solved)
The management of Afro Quatro Ltd. want to establish the amount of financial needs for the next two years. The balance sheet of the firm as at 31 December 2001 is as follows:
For the year ended 31 December 2001, sales amounted to Sh.240,000,000. The firm projects
that the sales will increase by 15% in year 2002 and 20% in year 2003.
The after tax profit on sales has been 11% but the management is pessimistic about future
operating costs and intends to use an after-tax profit on sales rate of 8% per annum.
The firm intends to maintain its dividend pay out ratio of 80%. Assets are expected to vary
directly with sales while trade creditors and accrued expenses form the spontaneous sources of
financing. Any external financing will be effected through the use of commercial paper.
Required:
(a) Determine the amount of external financial requirements for the next two years.
(b) (i) A proforma balance sheet as at 31 December 2003.
(ii) State the fundamental assumption made in your computations in (a) and b(i) above.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Ngomongo Holdings Limited has investment interests in three companies. Kirinyaga
Video Limited (KVL), Kilgoris Hauliers Limited (KHL) and Turkana Fisheries Limited
(TFL). The following financial data relate...
(Solved)
Ngomongo Holdings Limited has investment interests in three companies. Kirinyaga Video Limited (KVL), Kilgoris Hauliers Limited (KHL) and Turkana Fisheries Limited (TFL). The following financial data relate to these companies.
Required:
(i) For Kirinyaga Video Ltd. (KVL) and Kilgoris Hauliers Ltd. (KHL),
determine and compare:
- Dividend yields
- Price/Earnings ratios
-Dividend covers.
(ii) Using the dividends growth model, determine the market value of 1,000 shares
held in Turkana Fisheries Ltd. (TFL) as at 31 December 2001.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Discuss the drawbacks of using the following approaches in estimating a
security's value:
(i) Book value;
(ii) Replacement value;
(iii) Substitution value;
(iv) Intrinsic value.
(Solved)
Discuss the drawbacks of using the following approaches in estimating a
security's value:
(i) Book value;
(ii) Replacement value;
(iii) Substitution value;
(iv) Intrinsic value.
Date posted:
February 11, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Three years ago, Mrs. Rehema Waziri was retrenched from the Civil Service. She invested
substantially all her terminal benefits in the shares of ABC Ltd., a...
(Solved)
Three years ago, Mrs. Rehema Waziri was retrenched from the Civil Service. She invested substantially all her terminal benefits in the shares of ABC Ltd., a company quoted on the stock exchange. The dividend payments from this investment makes up a significant position of Mrs Waziri's income. She was alarmed when ABC Ltd. dropped its year 2001 dividend to Sh.1.25 per share from Sh.1.75 per share which it had paid in the previous two years. Mrs Waziri has approached you for advice and you have gathered the information given below regarding the financial condition of ABC Ltd. and the finance sector as a whole.
Notes:
1. Industry ratios have been roughly constant for the past four years.
2. Inventory turnover, total assets turnover and fixed assets turnover are based on the year-end balance sheet figures.
Required:
(a) The financial ratios for ABC Ltd for the past three years corresponding to industry ratios given above.
(b) Arrange the ratios calculated in (a) above in columnar form and summarize the strengths and weaknesses revealed by these ratios based on:
(i) Trends in the firm's ratios
(ii) Comparison with industry averages.
(The summary should focus on the liquidity, profitability and turnover ratios).
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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In relation to the stock exchange
(i) Explain the role of the following members:
- Floor brokers
-Market makers
-Underwriters
(ii) Explain the meaning of the...
(Solved)
In relation to the stock exchange
(i) Explain the role of the following members
- Floor brokers
- Market makers
- Underwriters
(ii) Explain the meaning of the following terms:
-Bull and bear markets
- Bid-ask spread
- Short selling
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Highlight four advantages and disadvantages to a company of being listed on a stock
exchange.
(Solved)
Highlight four advantages and disadvantages to a company of being listed on a stock
exchange.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Explain fully the effect of the use of debt capital on the weighted average cost of capital of a company.
(Solved)
Explain fully the effect of the use of debt capital on the weighted average cost of capital of a company.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Rafiki Hardware Tools Company Limited sells plumbing fixtures on terms of 2/10 net 30. Its
financial statements for the last three years are as follows:
(Solved)
Rafiki Hardware Tools Company Limited sells plumbing fixtures on terms of 2/10 net 30. Its
financial statements for the last three years are as follows:
Required:
(a) For each of the three years, calculate the following ratios:
Acid test ratio, Average collection period, inventory turnover, Total debt/equity, Net
profit margin and return on assets.
(b) From the ratios calculated above, comment on the liquidity, profitability and gearing
positions of the company
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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The management of Furaha Packers Ltd. is planning to carry out two activities at the
same time to:
(i) determine the best credit policy for its customers
(ii)...
(Solved)
The management of Furaha Packers Ltd. is planning to carry out two activities at the
same time to:
(i) determine the best credit policy for its customers
(ii) find out the optimal level of ordering orange juice from its suppliers.
The following data have been collected to assist in making the decisions:
1. Annual requirements of orange juice are 2,100,000 litres
2. The carrying cost of the juice is Sh.8 per litre per year
3. The cost of placing an order is Sh.1,400.
4. The required rate of return for this type of investment is 18% after tax.
5. Debtors currently are running at Sh.60 million and have an average collection
period of 40 days.
6. Sales are expected to increase by 20% if the credit terms are relaxed and to
result in an average collection period of 60 days.
7. 60% of sales are on credit.
8. The gross margin on sales is 30% and is to be maintained in future.
FINANCIAL
Required:
(i) Use the inventory (Baumol) model to determine the economic order quantity
and the ordering and holding costs at these levels per annum.
(ii) Determine if the company should switch to the new credit policy.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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The dividend per share of Mavazi Limited as at 31 December 2000 was Sh.2.50.
The company's financial analyst has predicted that dividends would grow at
20% for...
(Solved)
The dividend per share of Mavazi Limited as at 31 December 2000 was Sh.2.50.
The company's financial analyst has predicted that dividends would grow at
20% for five years after which growth would fall to a constant rate of 7%. The
analyst has also projected a required rate of return of 10% for the equity market.
Mavazi's shares have a similar risk to the typical equity market.
Required:
The intrinsic value of shares of Mavazi Ltd. As at 31 December 2000.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Briefly discuss the disadvantages of the constant growth dividend model as a valuation model.
(Solved)
Briefly discuss the disadvantages of the constant growth dividend model as a valuation model.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Highlight the various measures that would minimize agency problems between the
owners and the management.
(Solved)
Highlight the various measures that would minimize agency problems between the
owners and the management.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Define agency relationship from the context of a public limited company and briefly
explain how this arises.
(Solved)
Define agency relationship from the context of a public limited company and briefly
explain how this arises.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)
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Mumias Milling Company purchased a grinder 3 years ago at a cost of Sh.3.5 million.
The grinder had a life of 8 years at the time...
(Solved)
Mumias Milling Company purchased a grinder 3 years ago at a cost of Sh.3.5 million.
The grinder had a life of 8 years at the time of purchase. It is being depreciated at 15%
per year on a declining balance. The company is considering replacing it with a new
grinder costing Sh.7 million with an expected useful life of 5 years.
Due to increased efficiency, the profit before depreciation is expected to increase by
Sh.400,000 a year. The old and new grinders will now be depreciated at 25% per year on
a declining balance for tax purposes.
The salvage value of the new grinder is estimated at Sh.210,000. The market value of the
old grinder, today, is Sh.4 million. It is estimated to have a zero salvage value after 5
years.
The company's tax is 30% and the after tax cost of capital is 12%.
Required
Should the new grinder be bought? Explain.
Date posted:
February 8, 2019
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Answers (1)