Company A is a listed company that produces pottery goods which it sells throughout Europe. The pottery is then delivered to a network of self employed artists who are contracted to paint the pottery in their own homes. Finished goods are distributed by network of sales agents.The directors of Company A are now considering acquiring one or more smaller companies by means of vertical integration to improve profit margins.
Advise the Board of Company A which of the following acquisitions is most likely to achieve the stated aim of vertical integration?

• A.A listed international logistics firm.
• B.A company in a similar market to Company A.
• C.A company that produces accessories.
• D.A pottery factory in the Middle East.

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A company has:
* 10 million $1 ordinary shares in issue
* A current share price of $5.00 a share
* A WACC of 15%
The company holds $10 million in cash. No interest is earned on this cash.
It will invest this in a project with an expected NPV of $4 million.
In a semi-strong efficient stock market, which of the following is the most likely share price immediately after the announcement of the new investment?

• A.$6.80
• B.$5.40
• C.$5.30
• D.$6.40

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A listed company in a high growth industry, where innovation is a key driver of success has always operated a residual dividend policy, resulting in volatility in dividends due to periodic significant investments in research and development.
The company has recently come under pressure from some investors to change its dividend policy so that shareholders receive a consistent growing dividend. In addition, they suggested that the company should use more debt finance.
If the suggested change is made to the financial policies, which THREE of the following statements are true?

• A.It may give a signal to the market that the company is entering a period of stable growth.
• B.The company's financial risk will increase due to its increased use of debt finance.
• C.Retained earnings have a lower cost than debt finance.
• D.The directors will not have to take shareholder dividend preferences into consideration in future.
• E.There may be a change to the shareholder profile due to 'the clientele effect'.

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Company E is a listed company. Its directors are valuing a smaller listed company, Company F, as a possible acquisition.
The two companies operate in the same markets and have the same business risk.
Relevant data on the two companies is as follows:

Both companies are wholly equity financed and both pay corporate tax at 30%.
The directors of Company E believe they can "bootstrap" Company F's earnings to improve performance.
Calculate the maximum price that Company E should offer to Company F's shareholders to acquire the company.
Give your answer to the nearest $million.

• A.4,500
• B.3,150
• C.1,890
• D.2,700

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A manufacturing company is based in Country L whose currency is the L$.
One of the company's products is exported to Country M, a rapidly growing economy, whose currency is the M$.
In the most recent financial year:
* 100,000 units of the product were sold to customers in country M
* The unit selling price was M$12
The spot rate today is L$1 = M$5
The company has an objective of growth in total sales value in L$ of 10% a year.
If the L$ strengthens by 5% next year against the M$, what volume of sales of this product is needed next year to achieve the objective?

• A.105,000 units
• B.115,500 units
• C.104,500 units
• D.110,000 units

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