Discuss the following:
Initial Public Offerings
Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of going public. Have you been with an organization during the time it went public? If so, describe your experience. If you have not personally experienced an IPO, describe what you think employees in general feel when their organization goes public-what might be employee: desires, expectations, or concerns?
Warrants versus Convertibles
Discuss some of the differences between warrants and convertibles. What would be some of the advantages or disadvantages to the organization using one or the other? Research and name a company that has used one of these securities.
Credit Policy
Discuss the rationale behind a liberalization of credit policy and its effect on sales and accounts receivable, in particular any associated financing impacts. What organizations have been in the news due to their poor credit ratings, and how has that affected their business?
Maturity Matching
Provide an example that underscores the importance of maturity matching and its importance to sound financial money management. See Chapter 20, page 808 for additional background. Discuss its merits. Explain why this principle is important when assessing the use of long-term versus short-term financing, and how a mismatch can be costly to an organization.
Hedging
Hedging is often referred to as a means of dealing with risk. Describe some techniques that fall under this concept that could help you deal with an anticipated price increase. Describe the pros and cons of hedging versus not hedging the risk. Give examples where possible.