Course Module Headline - Week 1 header image

Finance, Part 1

This week, we will begin building a foundation of knowledge in financial management with a special focus on the time value of money, risk, return, capital asset planning, and the capital budgeting process.

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Compute the future value of an investment made today
  • Compute the present value of cash to be received at some future date
  • Compute the return on an investment
  • Calculate the interest earned on an investment
  • Describe two types of annuities 
  • Explain EAR and APR
  • Explain the capital asset planning model (CAPM)
  • Compare three approaches to estimate expected return 
  • Compare and contrast systematic and unsystematic risk
  • Explain the importance of capital budgeting
  • Identify the three decision criteria to evaluate capital budgeting projects
  • Describe the NPV method and its advantages
  • Describe the payback method and its shortcomings
  • Describe the IRR method and its strengths & weaknesses
  • Describe the profitability index
  • Use a financial calculator
  • Describe the process for estimating the cash flows from investing in a project
  • Describe a process for predicting cash flows

Professor's Notes

Lecture

Back to Top

Time Value of Money

Here you will meet your instructor for the finance segment of the course, Ami Dutta. You will also begin using a financial calculator and explore the time value of money.

Play Download Media

Note: If you are experiencing issues with the video player, please use your personal computer to download the media file from the Download Media section of this course.

Lecture

Back to Top

Risk, Return and Capital Asset Pricing Model

In this lecture, we will examine three ways to estimate expected return. We will also discuss the capital asset planning model (CAPM).

Play Download Media

Note: If you are experiencing issues with the video player, please use your personal computer to download the media file from the Download Media section of this course.

Lecture

Back to Top

Capital Budgeting Process and Decision Criteria

This lecture examines the process of investing in long term assets that will generate cash flows into the future and help to increase the value of the firm.

Play Download Media

Note: If you are experiencing issues with the video player, please use your personal computer to download the media file from the Download Media section of this course.

Lecture

Back to Top

Cash Flow and Capital Budgeting

In this lecture, we will focus on the process by which a finance manager estimates the cash flows from investing in a project.

Play Download Media

Note: If you are experiencing issues with the video player, please use your personal computer to download the media file from the Download Media section of this course.

Reading

Back to Top

Read Textbook

BUS 5602: Essentials of Business Development 2

Introduction to Corporate Finance

  • Chapter 3: The Time Value of Money
  • Chapter 8: Capital Budgeting Process and Decision Criteria
  • Chapter 9: Cash Flow and Capital Budgeting

Read Case

“HBS Hansson Private Label, Inc."

Discussion

Back to Top

In capital budgeting, the financial manager identifies investment opportunities that are worth more to the company than they cost to acquire. For the company you selected for your business plan:

  • What process do you use to evaluate capital investment decisions?
  • What capital budgeting methods do you use (e.g. payback period, IRR, NPV)?
  • Do you think these are appropriate methods for your company?

Use the Harvard Business Case, “HBS Hansson Private Label, Inc.” as the basis for answering the following questions:

  • Estimate the project’s NPV
  • Do you recommend Tucker Hansson to proceed with the investment?

Post your replies to this week's discussion board.

Due Sunday, 11:59 p.m., ET

Assignment

Back to Top

Suggested Practice Problems

  • Chapter 3 Problems 3-1, 3-3, 3-10, 3-16, 3-30, and 3-34
  • Chapter 8 Problems 8-2 (a, b, c, and e), 8-6, 8-10, 8-15, and 8-18
  • Chapter 9 Problems 9-4, 9-8, and 9-18

Answers to Suggested Practice Problems

Go to Week 2
Close