Solution Manual For Foundations Of Financial Management 12th Edition
Stanley B Block, Geoffrey A Hirt Chapter 1-21
Chapter 1
Discussion Questions
1-1. Regulation was greatly increased with the Dodd – Frank Act and other measures.
1-2. The student should be prepared to pay a higher price for the promised $2 from the Royal
Bank. The risk is lower.
1-3. The goal of shareholder wealth maximization implies that the firm will attempt to achieve
the highest possible valuation in the marketplace. It is the one overriding objective of the
firm and should influence every decision. The problem with a profit maximization goal is
that it fails to take account of risk, the timing of the benefits is not considered, and profit
measurement is a very inexact process.
1-4. Agency theory examines the relationship between the owners of the firm and the
managers of the firm. In privately owned firms, management and the owners are usually
the same people. Management operates the firm to satisfy its own goals, needs, financial
requirements and the like. As a company moves from private to public ownership,
management now represents all owners. This places management in the agency position
of making decisions in the best interest of all shareholders.
1-5. Because institutional investors such as pension funds (Ontario Teachers‘, CPP) and
mutual funds own a large percentage of major companies, they are having more to say
about the way publicly owned companies are managed. As a group, they have the ability
to vote large blocks of shares for the election of a board of directors, which is supposed to
run the company in an efficient, competitive manner. The threat of being able to replace
poor performing boards of directors makes institutional investors quite influential. Since
these institutions, like pension funds and mutual funds, represent individual workers and
investors, they have a responsibility to see that the firm is managed in an efficient and
ethical way.
1-6. Insider trading occurs when someone has information that is not available to the public
and then uses the information to profit from trading in a company‘s common stock. The
provincial securities commissions are responsible for protecting against insider trading.
1-7. Regulations set the ―rules of the game‖ in which the firm operates. Shareholder wealth
maximization can and should still be sought within the rules, for economic efficiency to
be achieved. Society judge‘s deregulation benefits against the costs of regulation.
1-8. Management operates within a competitive market and they should be paid their
opportunity cost. If managers do not act to maximize shareholder wealth, share prices
will become depressed. To the extent manager‘s compensation is tied to share price
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-1 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
, performance, shareholders can fire managers, and there exists a market for corporate
control, management will be compensated based on their economic contribution.
1-9. Daily functions- cash management, inventory control, receipt and disbursement of funds.
Occasional- share issue, bond issue, capital budgeting and dividend decisions.
1-10. There is unlimited liability for the sole proprietorship and partnership forms of
ownership. Under the limited partnership, only the general partner(s) has unlimited
liability, with limited partners obligated only to the extent of their initial contribution.
Finally, all shareholders in a corporation have limited liability, although owner/
shareholders of small businesses often have to give banks their personal guarantees.
1-11. The corporate form is best suited to large organizations because of the easy divisibility of
ownership through issuance of shares. Also, the corporation has continued existence
independent of any shareholder.
1-12. Money markets refer to those markets dealing with short-term securities that have a life
of one year or less. Capital markets refer to securities with a life of more than one year.
1-13. A primary market refers to the use of the financial markets to raise new funds. After the
securities are sold to the public (institutions and individuals), they trade in the secondary
market between investors. It is in the secondary market that prices are continually
changing as investors buy and sell securities based on the expectations of corporate
prospects. A liquid secondary market promotes a successful primary market.
1-14. Government debt loads require financing. This puts large demands ($1 trillion in
accumulated federal and provincial debt in 2017) on the capital markets, putting upward
pressure on interest rates and a corporation‘s ability to invest in capital projects. When
governments finance their deficits abroad they place Canada‘s economic levers outside of
our control and debt servicing payments can impact the foreign exchange markets. As the
government debt load relative to GDP been reduced in recent years there has been less
pressure on interest rates, corporations have borrowed more, but there have been less
‗risk free‘ government securities available (causing liquidity problems particularly in the
money markets).
1-15. Stakeholders include: shareholders, creditors, employees, unions, environmentalists,
consumer groups, Canada Revenue Agency, government regulatory bodies, customers,
managers and others.
Internet Resources and Questions
1. www.nobelprize.org
2. www.fin.gc.ca
3. www.bankofcanada.ca
4. http://www.onex.com/Our-Goals/Index?Key‘GenPage=1073751432
http://www.rbc.com/aboutus/visionandvalues.html
5. http://www.bce.ca/responsibility/corporateresponsibility
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-2 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
,Problems
1-1. Incubus Corporation
a. Common stock (contributed capital) $40,000
Retained earnings (deficit) (7,000)
$33,000
b. Common stock $40,000
Retained earnings (‒7,000 + 15,000 ‒ 6,000) 2,000
$42,000
c. Common stock $60,000
Retained earnings (+2,000 + 12,000 ‒ 6,000) 8,000
$68,000
1-2. Puppet Corporation
a. Common stock $20,000
Retained earnings 2,000
$22,000
b. Common stock $20,000
Retained earnings (+2,000 + 9,000 ‒ 3,000) 8,000
$28,000
c. Common stock $30,000
Retained earnings (+8,000 + 5,000 ‒ 2,500) 10,500
$40,500
1-3. Two to Ten Dollar Corporation would be expected to have the higher valuation because
the $10 per share dividend (although achieved later) is expected to be sustained for a
much longer period of time. Building earnings for longer term sustainability is more
valuable than quick returns that peter out.
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-3 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
, 1-4. Share value is a combination of expected earnings (or cash flow) and the risk inherent in
those cash flows. Although the financial institution reports lower earnings it is because
of restructuring charges that lower reported earnings. Cash flows are not likely to be
effected. Future earnings should be more reliable and therefore less risky than those of
the new health services company. Therefore the market is likely to suggest a higher
value for the financial institution.
1-5. Board of Directors Decision
a. A combination of high profit margins and strong consumer acceptance should be
positive for share value. However a new product introduces a high degree of risk that
will mitigate higher share values.
b. More detailed financial information for investors should increase their confidence in the
activities of the firm and lower the risk of their investment. This will be offset by the
likely increase costs of providing this information. In an environment of questionable
ethics by management this should be slightly positive to share value.
c. Pollution control devices will increase firm costs. The local residents will view the firm
more positively which should have some positive cash flow effects as they may be more
willing to purchase the firm‘s products and will decrease possible litigations or
harassment. Overall it is likely to be a neutral or slightly negative effect on share value.
d. Aligning management compensation motivators with shareholder goals should be
positive for share values with implemented. The effect however may be small.
There is no correct answer. It depends on the tradeoff between risk, returns and costs.
Chapter 2
Discussion Questions
2-1. The price-earnings ratio will be influenced by the earnings and sales growth of the firm,
the risk or volatility in performance, the debt-equity structure of the firm, the dividend
payment policy, the quality of management, and a number of other factors. The ratio
tends to be future-oriented, and will be higher the more positive the outlook
2-2. Book value per share is arrived at by taking the cost of the assets and subtracting out
liabilities and preferred stock and dividing by the number of common shares outstanding.
It is based on the historical costs of the assets. Market value per share is based on current
assessed value of the firm in the marketplace and may bear little relationship to original
cost. Besides the disparity between book and market value caused by the historical cost
approach, other contributing factors are the growth prospects for the firm, the quality of
management, and the industry outlook. To the extent these are quite negative, or positive,
market value may differ widely from book value.
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-4 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
Stanley B Block, Geoffrey A Hirt Chapter 1-21
Chapter 1
Discussion Questions
1-1. Regulation was greatly increased with the Dodd – Frank Act and other measures.
1-2. The student should be prepared to pay a higher price for the promised $2 from the Royal
Bank. The risk is lower.
1-3. The goal of shareholder wealth maximization implies that the firm will attempt to achieve
the highest possible valuation in the marketplace. It is the one overriding objective of the
firm and should influence every decision. The problem with a profit maximization goal is
that it fails to take account of risk, the timing of the benefits is not considered, and profit
measurement is a very inexact process.
1-4. Agency theory examines the relationship between the owners of the firm and the
managers of the firm. In privately owned firms, management and the owners are usually
the same people. Management operates the firm to satisfy its own goals, needs, financial
requirements and the like. As a company moves from private to public ownership,
management now represents all owners. This places management in the agency position
of making decisions in the best interest of all shareholders.
1-5. Because institutional investors such as pension funds (Ontario Teachers‘, CPP) and
mutual funds own a large percentage of major companies, they are having more to say
about the way publicly owned companies are managed. As a group, they have the ability
to vote large blocks of shares for the election of a board of directors, which is supposed to
run the company in an efficient, competitive manner. The threat of being able to replace
poor performing boards of directors makes institutional investors quite influential. Since
these institutions, like pension funds and mutual funds, represent individual workers and
investors, they have a responsibility to see that the firm is managed in an efficient and
ethical way.
1-6. Insider trading occurs when someone has information that is not available to the public
and then uses the information to profit from trading in a company‘s common stock. The
provincial securities commissions are responsible for protecting against insider trading.
1-7. Regulations set the ―rules of the game‖ in which the firm operates. Shareholder wealth
maximization can and should still be sought within the rules, for economic efficiency to
be achieved. Society judge‘s deregulation benefits against the costs of regulation.
1-8. Management operates within a competitive market and they should be paid their
opportunity cost. If managers do not act to maximize shareholder wealth, share prices
will become depressed. To the extent manager‘s compensation is tied to share price
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-1 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
, performance, shareholders can fire managers, and there exists a market for corporate
control, management will be compensated based on their economic contribution.
1-9. Daily functions- cash management, inventory control, receipt and disbursement of funds.
Occasional- share issue, bond issue, capital budgeting and dividend decisions.
1-10. There is unlimited liability for the sole proprietorship and partnership forms of
ownership. Under the limited partnership, only the general partner(s) has unlimited
liability, with limited partners obligated only to the extent of their initial contribution.
Finally, all shareholders in a corporation have limited liability, although owner/
shareholders of small businesses often have to give banks their personal guarantees.
1-11. The corporate form is best suited to large organizations because of the easy divisibility of
ownership through issuance of shares. Also, the corporation has continued existence
independent of any shareholder.
1-12. Money markets refer to those markets dealing with short-term securities that have a life
of one year or less. Capital markets refer to securities with a life of more than one year.
1-13. A primary market refers to the use of the financial markets to raise new funds. After the
securities are sold to the public (institutions and individuals), they trade in the secondary
market between investors. It is in the secondary market that prices are continually
changing as investors buy and sell securities based on the expectations of corporate
prospects. A liquid secondary market promotes a successful primary market.
1-14. Government debt loads require financing. This puts large demands ($1 trillion in
accumulated federal and provincial debt in 2017) on the capital markets, putting upward
pressure on interest rates and a corporation‘s ability to invest in capital projects. When
governments finance their deficits abroad they place Canada‘s economic levers outside of
our control and debt servicing payments can impact the foreign exchange markets. As the
government debt load relative to GDP been reduced in recent years there has been less
pressure on interest rates, corporations have borrowed more, but there have been less
‗risk free‘ government securities available (causing liquidity problems particularly in the
money markets).
1-15. Stakeholders include: shareholders, creditors, employees, unions, environmentalists,
consumer groups, Canada Revenue Agency, government regulatory bodies, customers,
managers and others.
Internet Resources and Questions
1. www.nobelprize.org
2. www.fin.gc.ca
3. www.bankofcanada.ca
4. http://www.onex.com/Our-Goals/Index?Key‘GenPage=1073751432
http://www.rbc.com/aboutus/visionandvalues.html
5. http://www.bce.ca/responsibility/corporateresponsibility
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-2 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
,Problems
1-1. Incubus Corporation
a. Common stock (contributed capital) $40,000
Retained earnings (deficit) (7,000)
$33,000
b. Common stock $40,000
Retained earnings (‒7,000 + 15,000 ‒ 6,000) 2,000
$42,000
c. Common stock $60,000
Retained earnings (+2,000 + 12,000 ‒ 6,000) 8,000
$68,000
1-2. Puppet Corporation
a. Common stock $20,000
Retained earnings 2,000
$22,000
b. Common stock $20,000
Retained earnings (+2,000 + 9,000 ‒ 3,000) 8,000
$28,000
c. Common stock $30,000
Retained earnings (+8,000 + 5,000 ‒ 2,500) 10,500
$40,500
1-3. Two to Ten Dollar Corporation would be expected to have the higher valuation because
the $10 per share dividend (although achieved later) is expected to be sustained for a
much longer period of time. Building earnings for longer term sustainability is more
valuable than quick returns that peter out.
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-3 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
, 1-4. Share value is a combination of expected earnings (or cash flow) and the risk inherent in
those cash flows. Although the financial institution reports lower earnings it is because
of restructuring charges that lower reported earnings. Cash flows are not likely to be
effected. Future earnings should be more reliable and therefore less risky than those of
the new health services company. Therefore the market is likely to suggest a higher
value for the financial institution.
1-5. Board of Directors Decision
a. A combination of high profit margins and strong consumer acceptance should be
positive for share value. However a new product introduces a high degree of risk that
will mitigate higher share values.
b. More detailed financial information for investors should increase their confidence in the
activities of the firm and lower the risk of their investment. This will be offset by the
likely increase costs of providing this information. In an environment of questionable
ethics by management this should be slightly positive to share value.
c. Pollution control devices will increase firm costs. The local residents will view the firm
more positively which should have some positive cash flow effects as they may be more
willing to purchase the firm‘s products and will decrease possible litigations or
harassment. Overall it is likely to be a neutral or slightly negative effect on share value.
d. Aligning management compensation motivators with shareholder goals should be
positive for share values with implemented. The effect however may be small.
There is no correct answer. It depends on the tradeoff between risk, returns and costs.
Chapter 2
Discussion Questions
2-1. The price-earnings ratio will be influenced by the earnings and sales growth of the firm,
the risk or volatility in performance, the debt-equity structure of the firm, the dividend
payment policy, the quality of management, and a number of other factors. The ratio
tends to be future-oriented, and will be higher the more positive the outlook
2-2. Book value per share is arrived at by taking the cost of the assets and subtracting out
liabilities and preferred stock and dividing by the number of common shares outstanding.
It is based on the historical costs of the assets. Market value per share is based on current
assessed value of the firm in the marketplace and may bear little relationship to original
cost. Besides the disparity between book and market value caused by the historical cost
approach, other contributing factors are the growth prospects for the firm, the quality of
management, and the industry outlook. To the extent these are quite negative, or positive,
market value may differ widely from book value.
Foundations of Fin. Mgt. 12Ce 3-4 Block, Hirt, Danielsen, Short
