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Investment Analysis 2

Module description

This module involves developing and appraising critically a set of competing models of corporate valuation, including the dividend discount model (DDM), discounted free cash flows (FCFE) model, residual income model and their reconciliation. It covers forecasting of earnings and estimating of discount rate in valuation. It also establishes links between fundamental valuation models and value multiples. Finally, it discusses equity investment informed from firm’s fundamental analysis.

Additional Information:

Research in Teaching

The whole module is informed by academic research, in particular by the module lead.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Investment Analysis 2 aims to teach you various equity valuation techniques and apply them to the valuation of equities in major industrial sectors. This variety of geographic, industrial and other specialised circumstances requires careful selection of appropriate valuation methods and the interpretation of different standards of financial reporting and disclosure. This involves developing and appraising critically a set of competing models of corporate valuation. Ultimately, the aim is to give students the ability to produce equity research reports to professional standards.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. apply selectively and critically 'new' value enhancement and valuation paradigms
• 2. explain the proper focus of investment analysis in the modern equity environment
• 3. perform and respond creatively to cross-border financial analysis in industrial sectors
• 4. apply selectively traditional risk measures
• 5. identify and discuss ethical issues affecting corporate operations and reporting

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. review and select appropriate analytical techniques
• 7. access and critically review research reports and other data sources
• 8. draw well-defined and supported conclusions when analysing a complex and specialised problem.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. as an individual to present complex, technical reports.
• 10. plan and manage your own study

Syllabus plan

• Equity valuation approaches and models, reconciliation of models, and contemporary methods of operationalising the FCF model
• A guest investment practitioner’s talk on corporate valuation or some other flexible arrangement
• Forecasting and business environment analysis including the Ohlson model and forward earnings growth model
• On the implied cost of equity capital
• Links between fundamental valuation model and value multiples
• Equity investment informed from firm’s fundamental analysis
• Revision and mock exam

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The module is mainly informed by academic research. A large part is based on the module instructor’s own research in the last twenty years. 

Supplementary readings:

• Koller, T., Goedhart, M., Wessels, D., Schwimmer, B., & Manoury, F. (2015). Valuation: measuring and managing the value of companies (6^th ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.
• Palepu, K., Healy, P. Bernard, V. & Peek, E. (2015). Business analysis and valuation: IFRS edition (4^th ed.). Andover: Cengage Learning.

Plus supplementary journal articles as directed

Other supplementary reading:

• Gregory, A. (2001). Strategic valuation of companies (2^nd ed.). London: Financial Times/Prentice Hall.
• Lundholme, R., & Sloan, R. (2013). Equity valuation and analysis (3^rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
• Penman, S. (2012). Financial statement analysis and security valuation (5^th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

Key words search

Equity valuation; financial statement analysis; investment analysis