What does a beta higher than 1.0 for a stock indicate about its systematic risk?
Correct Answer: B
Beta measures a stock's sensitivity to movements in the overall market and represents its level of systematic (non-diversifiable) risk. A beta greater than 1.0 indicates that the stock tends to move more than the market in response to market-wide changes. For example, if the market increases by 1%, a stock with a beta of 1.2 is expected, on average, to increase by approximately 1.2%. Conversely, it would also decline more sharply during market downturns. From a capital market theory perspective, higher beta implies higher risk and therefore a higher required rate of return to compensate investors. Financial managers use beta in the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) to estimate the cost of equity. Option B correctly describes the implication of a beta greater than one.
Question 22
What is the relationship between the length of the cash cycle and the amount of cash a firm needs to operate?
Correct Answer: D
The cash conversion cycle measures the time between cash outflows for production and cash inflows from customer payments. A longer cash cycle means that cash is tied up for a longer period in inventory and receivables before being recovered through sales. As a result, firms with longer cash cycles require larger cash balances or greater access to short-term financing to support ongoing operations. Financial managers aim to shorten the cash cycle by improving inventory turnover, accelerating collections, and managing payables efficiently. Option D correctly reflects this fundamental relationship emphasized in working capital management.
Question 23
What is a primary benefit of maintaining inventory?
Correct Answer: D
A primary benefit of maintaining inventory is that it allows a company to meet customer demand promptly and consistently. Inventory ensures that goods are available when customers want them, which supports sales, customer satisfaction, and competitive performance. Without adequate inventory, firms face stockouts that may lead to lost sales, damaged customer relationships, and reduced market share. Financial management recognizes that although inventory carries costs such as storage, insurance, obsolescence, and tied-up capital, it also provides important operational and strategic benefits. Choice D is correct because inventory exists largely to support uninterrupted operations and customer service. Choice A is incorrect because increasing the cash conversion cycle is generally a cost, not a benefit. Choice B is incorrect because simply holding inventory does not automatically decrease cost of goods sold. Choice C is also incorrect because maintaining inventory usually increases, rather than reduces, storage costs. Therefore, D is the correct answer because the main reason firms hold inventory is to ensure product availability and fulfill customer demand in a timely manner while supporting stable operations.
Question 24
Why is understanding exchange rate risk crucial for multinational corporations?
Correct Answer: B
Understanding exchange rate risk is crucial because exchange-rate movements can change the value of a multinational corporation's future cash flows, assets, liabilities, and reported earnings. A firm may sell products abroad, import raw materials, repay foreign-currency loans, or own subsidiaries in other countries. If exchange rates move unfavorably, the domestic-currency value of those transactions can decline, reducing profitability and potentially lowering the overall value of the firm. Exchange rate risk affects both operating decisions and financing decisions. For example, it can influence where a firm produces goods, which currency it borrows in, how it prices exports, and whether it should hedge future receipts or payments. This makes exchange-rate analysis a central part of international financial management, not a side issue. Choice A is incorrect because exchange rates are not stable. Choice C is incorrect because understanding the risk does not eliminate the complexity of international operations. Choice D is also incorrect because multinational business generally makes financial planning more difficult, not simpler. Therefore, B is correct because exchange-rate fluctuations can materially affect shareholder value and the financial performance of multinational corporations. ========
Question 25
Why might a firm use a combination of methods to calculate the cost of common equity?
