NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 – Financial Management
To get a strong foothold on the topic of Financial Management, students may refer to NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9. These notes are prepared by the Extramarks subject experts team with years of teaching experience. Students of Class 12 can learn and revise essential points, definitions, and Q&A from the study material offered by NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9.
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 is written in simple language with point-by-point explanations. Students can use the Class 12 Business Studies NCERT solutions for Chapter 9 for quick reference and take advantage of these notes while studying.
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Key Topics Covered In NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9
Following are the key topics covered in NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9.
| Business Finance |
| Financial Management and its Objectives |
| Financial Decisions |
| Financial Planning and its Importance |
| Capital structure and Factors |
| Fixed and Working Capital |
Business Finance
Business finance refers to the funds necessary to conduct business operations. Almost every business activity necessitates some form of funding.
You’ll need money to start a business, operate it, modernise it, expand it, and diversify it.
Financial Management and its Objectives
Financial management is concerned with the most efficient acquisition and use of funds. Financial management attempts to reduce the cost of money obtained, regulate risk, and ensure the appropriate use of those assets. It also tries to ensure that sufficient finances are available whenever they are needed and avoid unused funds. It goes without saying that a company’s financial management is critical to its long-term success.
Importance of Financial Management
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- The size and composition of the company’s fixed assets: Overinvestment in fixed assets may stifle money and expand the size of fixed assets, which isn’t good for the company, but underinvestment can suppress growth.
- The net amount of current assets, broken down into cash, inventories, and receivables: The quantity of working capital required by a firm is influenced by financial decisions such as fixed asset investments, credit policy, inventory management, etc.
- Breaking down long-term funding into debt, equity, and other forms: A financial manager needs to determine how a corporation’s debt and/or equity proportions must be pumped in. Finance managers’ actions impact debt, equity share capital, and preference share capital and are essential for financing management.
- The amount of long- and short-term finance that will be employed is as follows: The percentage of cash obtained from long-term and short-term sources is determined by the financing choice.
- All profit and loss account items: Financing decisions have an impact on the value of profit and loss account items.
All financial decisions made by financial managers in the past have a significant impact on present and future financial decisions. The quality of financial management determines the overall health of finance. Students may refer to Extramarks NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 to get the pointwise explanation of the chapter.
Objectives of Financial Management
The objectives of financial management covered under Extramarks NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 include
- Maximisation of Profit: The major goal of companies concerned with raising their earnings per share (EPS) is to achieve profit maximisation. It is also one of the classic financial management objectives, which emphasises the idea that all financial efforts should be made to enhance the company’s total profit.
- Maximisation of Wealth: The primary goal of financial management is to maximise shareholders’ wealth, commonly known as wealth maximisation. This goal focuses on boosting the company’s total shareholder wealth by targeting finance efforts toward growing the company’s share price. The wealth of the shareholders’ increases as the share price rises. In this case, financial management’s purpose is to maximise the current value of the company’s stock. The company’s financial actions have a significant impact on the market price of its shares.
- Shareholders benefit from a growth in the market value of their stock: It focuses on making financial decisions that add value to the firm, resulting in an increase in the price of the equity share. Other objectives, such as optimal money use, liquidity maintenance, and so on, are naturally achieved as this core goal is met. It entails deciding on the most effective option that will prove to be advantageous.
- Some other Objectives: Other goals might include making the best use of financial resources, selecting the best source, enabling simple access to money at reasonable prices, and so on.
Financial Decisions
Financial management is concerned with the resolution of three primary concerns connected to a company’s financial operations, namely, investment, financing, and dividend determination. It refers to choosing the optimum finance or investment option in a financial environment. As a result, the financial department is responsible for three major choices, which are detailed below:
- INVESTMENT DECISIONS: This section of NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 gives a brief on investment decisions.
- A company should determine where to invest its cash in order to maximise its profits. These are known as investment decisions, and they may be divided into two categories: long-term and short-term investment decisions.
- The many resources available to an organisation are limited and can be used in other ways. A company must adequately determine where to invest in order to maximise earnings.
- Investment choices are those made concerning how the firm’s finances are invested in various assets or various investment ideas.
- FINANCING DECISIONS: This section of Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 notes explains the following.
- Financing decisions entail determining the amount of money to be raised from various sources.
- Identification of financial sources is also part of these decisions.
- There are two basic ways to get money: from shareholders (equity) and borrowed money (debt).
- A corporation must choose the best combination of debt and equity-based on cost, risk, and profitability.
- While debt is less expensive than equity, it comes with a higher financial risk.
- Financial decisions must be made carefully since they affect the firm’s total cost of capital and include financial risk.
- In most cases, a combination of debt and equity money is favourable to the organisation.
- DIVIDEND DECISIONS
Take a look at the elaborate topic of Dividend Decisions on Extramarks website under the section of Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 notes for better understanding.
- Dividend distribution choices are made when a company’s profit or excess is distributed.
- A dividend is that portion of a company’s profit that is delivered to shareholders.
- The corporation must decide whether to pay it as dividends to equity owners or to keep it as retained earnings.
- As a result, the most crucial issue is how much profit should be divided and how much should be kept in the firm.
- This choice is often made with the goal of maximising shareholder strength while also keeping earnings to boost the organisation’s future earning capability.
Financial Planning and its Importance
Financial planning is the process of creating a financial blueprint for a company’s future activities. Financial planning aims to guarantee that sufficient finances are accessible at the appropriate moment.
Financial planning focuses on fund requirements and availability in light of financial decisions in order to ensure smooth operations.
The aim of the financial planning process is to anticipate all of the elements that are expected to change. It helps management to anticipate financial requirements in terms of both quantity and time. Expected shortages and surpluses are forecasted so that required actions can be made ahead of time to address them.
Importance of Financial Planning
This section of NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 defines the importance of financial planning.
- Helps in facing eventual situations: Things that are about to happen are predicted. It helps a business better prepare itself to deal with future challenges. Prepares a blueprint portraying alternative scenarios and prepares management ahead of time to deal with a modified current situation.
- Helps in complete utilisation of funds: Helps in the elimination of waste, resulting in better financial management.
- Improves coordination: Helps in the coordination of a variety of corporate operations. Some examples are providing clear rules, regulations, and processes to coordinate the tasks of the sales, manufacturing, and finance divisions.
- Evaluating performance: It is simpler to analyse segment-wise company performance by providing precise business objectives and presenting financial projections for various business segments.
- Supports in avoiding surprises and shocks: Helps a corporation anticipate future shocks and surprises.
- Reduces duplicity and wastage: Detailed action plans assist in minimising waste and eliminating duplication of work.
- Works as a link: Attempts to bridge the present and future gap. Makes the connection between investment and finance decisions.
Capital Structure and Factors
The company’s capital structure refers to the percentage of debt and equity utilised to support its operations. To put it another way, capital structure refers to the ratio of debt to equity capital in a company’s capital structure. It’s tough to state which capital structure is the best for a business. The capital structure should be structured to increase the value of equity owners’ equity shares, maximising their wealth. The company’s capital structure is determined by three primary factors: cost, risks, and returns.
FACTORS AFFECTING CAPITAL STRUCTURE
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 gives a clear insight on the factors that affect the choice of Capital Structure, which are as follows:
- Size of Business: Small firms prefer retained earnings and equity capital over debt or borrowed money because debt or borrowed capital has a fixed interest expense. On the other hand, large organisations do not have as much difficulty issuing debt, and they may obtain long-term financing from borrowed sources at a lower cost than small businesses.
- Cash Flow Position: Before obtaining funds, a company must analyse its projected cash flow to make sure that it will be able to meet its fixed financial commitments. A corporation with significant liquidity and a favourable cash flow situation can issue debt capital since it is less likely to face financial danger than a company with little cash.
- Tax Rate: The greater the tax rate, the more debt capital is preferred in the capital structure because interest on debt capital is a tax-deductible expenditure, making the loan cheaper.
- Interest Coverage Ratio implies the number of times a company’s income can cover its interest commitments, and a greater ICR lowers the risk of defaulting on interest payments.
- Cost of Debt: If a company has the ability to borrow cash at a cheaper interest rate, it can use debt to raise capital.
- Debt Service: It shows the company’s capacity to satisfy its financial commitments for interest and loan principal.
- Return of Investment: If a corporation produces a high rate of return, it has the option of using death as a source of funding.
- Cost of Equity: If a corporation has a high-risk profile, its shareholders may demand a high rate of return, which in turn will result in a higher cost of capital.
- Regulatory Framework: The standards for documentation procedures have an impact on the decision to use a specific source of funding.
- Floatation Cost: Choosing a funding source is determined by the cost of flotation to be spent to acquire such cash; the cost of flotation makes this programme less appealing.
- Flexibility: The loans chosen are determined by the company’s borrowing capacity and the amount of flexibility it wishes to maintain in selecting a future source of cash.
- Risk Consideration: A firm chooses debt as a source of capital based on its operational and overall business risks.
- Capital Structure of Other Companies: While the capital structure of other companies in the field can be used as an illustration when developing a company’s capital structure, the ultimate choice must be made based on the company’s ability to bear financial risk.
- Stock Market Conditions: In case the stock market is performing well and the economy is booming, corporations may decide to use more equity in their capital structure rather than debt. However, in the event of a downturn, corporations will choose more debt over equity in their capital structure to minimise further risks.
Fixed and Working Capital
Fixed Capital
Long-term assets are referred to as fixed capital. Fixed capital management is allocating a company’s money to various initiatives or assets that have long-term ramifications for the company.
It must be funded through long-term capital sources such as stock or preference shares, debentures, long-term loans, and the company’s retained earnings. Short-term financing should never be used to fund fixed assets.
Factors affecting the Fixed Capital
Extramarks NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 throws light on all the factors affecting the requirement for fixed capital:
- The technique of production: When a corporation uses capital-intensive technology, it depends less on manual labour and has a higher need for fixed capital. A corporation built on labour-intensive technology, on the other hand, will require less fixed capital since it will spend less on fixed assets.
- Nature of business: The nature of a company’s business is a significant component in determining its capital requirements. A manufacturing firm, for example, has a higher fixed capital demand than a trading company.
- The scale of operation: Because large-scale corporations acquire more machinery and plants for their operations and demand more space, they require more fixed capital than small-scale enterprises.
- Technology upgradation: When a corporation undergoes rapid industrial upgrading, it will require more fixed capital to replace outdated machinery with new machinery in order to upgrade technology. While the process of upgrading will be slow, the amount of fixed capital required will be lower.
- Level of collaboration: Because they may share available machinery with their collaborators, companies who favour partnerships will require less fixed capital.
- Growth prospects: Companies that extend their activities in order to achieve higher growth will require more fixed capital than companies that do not.
- Availability of finance and leasing facility: Companies might avoid purchasing fixed assets if they are supplied with leasing options. As a result, the amount of fixed capital required is reduced.
- Diversification: Diversifying a company’s range of manufacturing operations will necessitate additional fixed capital to manufacture goods.
Working Capital
Current assets are generally more liquid than fixed assets, although they contribute less to earnings. These assets are likely to be turned into cash or cash equivalents within a year. These help the company stay afloat. Short-term sources, such as current liabilities, are frequently used to fund a portion of current assets. The remaining is known as net working capital and is financed by long-term sources.
Factors affecting Working Capital
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 at Extramarks website presents a pointwise elaboration on the topic of factors affecting working capital.
- Types of Business: One of the most critical indicators of working capital requirements is the type of firm. Trading companies, for example, have shorter operational cycles since they do not process anything. As a result, they have a minimal working capital need.
On the other hand, a manufacturing company would require a considerable amount of operating capital. It is so because it has a long operational cycle, in which raw resources must first be turned into completed commodities before being sold.
- Fluctuations in Business Cycles: Working capital requirements vary depending on the stage of the business cycle. For example, both output and sales are greater during a boom period. As a result, the need for working capital is likewise considerable. In contrast, during a depression, demand is low, and hence output and sales are down. As a result, there is less of a need for operating capital.
- Production Cycle: The time between receiving products and processing them into finished items is referred to as the production cycle. Working capital requirements increase as a company’s production cycle lengthens, and vice versa. This is because a longer manufacturing cycle would demand more working capital due to increased inventory and other related expenditures.
- The scale of Operations: Companies with a larger scale of operation require more working capital than those with a smaller scale of operation. It is due to the fact that businesses with a larger scale of operations are forced to have a more extensive stock of goods and debtors. A firm with a lower scale of operation, on the other hand, requires less working capital.
- Credit Availed: Suppliers may grant credit to a company/firm based on their creditworthiness. The more credit they acquire, the less they need in terms of operating capital.
- Growth Prospects: Stronger production, sales, and inputs suggest higher growth potential. As a result, a company’s more significant growth potential necessitates a higher working capital level.
- Credit Allowed: The average duration for collecting sale profits is referred to as credit policy. This is dependent on the clients’ creditworthiness. As a result, a firm with a flexible lending policy will need greater working capital.
- Seasonal Factors: During the peak season, companies require a large amount of working capital due to the high level of activity. However, during the lean season, they demand less as the activities decrease.
- Availability of Raw Materials: Lower stock levels might suffice if raw supplies are readily available and consistent. This will assist the firm/company avoid the storage of a significant quantity of raw materials, hence lowering the requirement for working capital. However, if the time between making an order and receiving items grows, the firm will need to maintain a considerable amount of raw material stock, resulting in a higher working capital demand.
- Operating Efficiency: Companies with a high level of operating efficiency will require less working capital, whereas companies with a low level of efficiency will require more working capital. This is because efficiency can help a company/firm reduce the number of raw materials required, the average time finished goods inventory is held, and so on.
- Level of Competition: In order to produce items on time, the corporation will need bigger stockpiles of finished goods as the market becomes more competitive. As a result, they keep a larger inventory, which necessitates a significant amount of money.
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 Financial Management
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By referring to Extramarks NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9, students can easily understand the topic, Financial Management.
Key Features of NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9
NCERT Solutions Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 9 provides detailed answer to all questions. Some of the compelling reasons for you to choose Extramarks are:
- All solutions are mentioned in a detailed and easy to understand manner.
- By laying a foundation and explaining the chapter’s fundamental principles, the answers help eliminate the student’s doubts and confusions.
- All solutions are prepared, keeping in mind the guidelines laid by CBSE.
Q.1 What is meant by capital structure?
Ans. Capital structure refers to the mix between owners and borrowed funds. Owner’s funds consist of equity share capital, Preference share capital, Reserves & surplus. Borrowed funds consist of Debentures, Loans, Deposits, etc. A company needs to decide upon the optimum mix of these sources, which refers to the capital structure.
Q.2 Sate the two objectives of financial planning.
Ans. The twin objectives of financial planning are:
(a) To ensure availability of funds whenever these are required: This includes a proper estimation of the funds required for different purposes such as for the purchase of long-term assets or to meet day-to-day expenses of business etc.
(b) To see that the firm does not raise resources unnecessarily: Excess fund is almost as bad as inadequate funding. Even if there is some surplus money, good financial planning would put it to the best possible use so that the financial resources are not left idle and don’t unnecessarily add to the cost.
Q.3 Name the concept of financial management which increases the return to equity shareholders due to the presence of fixed financial charges.
Ans. The concept of financial management which increases the return to equity shareholders due to the presence of fixed financial change is called trading on equity.
Trading on equity refers to the increase in profit earned by the equity shareholders due to the presence of fixed financial charges like interest.
Q.4 Amrit is running a ‘transport service’ and earning good returns by providing this service to industries. Giving reason, state whether the working capital requirement of the firm will be‘less’ or ‘more’.
Ans. Amrit requires a large amount of working capital.Apart from the investment in fixed assets every business organisation needs to invest in current assets.Working capital investment facilitates smooth day-to-day operations of the business.
Q.5 Ramnath is into the business of assembling and selling of televisions. Recently he has adopted a new policy of purchasing the components on three months credit and selling the complete product in cash. Will it affect the requirement of working capital? Give reason in support of your answer.
Ans. Yes it will affect the requirement of working capital.
If the company purchases raw material on credit basis and sells finished goods on cash basis, it will have low working capital.
For example, just as a firm allows credit to its customers it also may get credit from its suppliers. To the extent it avails the credit on purchases, the working capital requirement is reduced.
Q.6 What is financial risk? Why does it arise?
Ans. Proportion of debt in the total capital determines the overall financial risk. Financial risk is the situation that the company will not be able to meet its fixed financial charges. With higher degree of debt in the overall capital, i.e. high Debt Equity ratio, the overall cost of capital declines and profitability (EPS) increases. However, due to higher repayment and interest payment obligations, the financial risk increases.
Q.7 Define current assets? Give four examples of such assets.
Ans. Current assets are the assets that can be readily converted into cash within 12 months. Debtors, B/R, stock, short term investments, etc. are some of the current assets. These assets shall be financed through current liabilities.
Q.8 What are the main objectives of financial management? Briefly explain.
Ans. The primary objective of financial management is to maximise shareholder’s wealth. To achieve the wealth maximisation objective, management needs to achieve the following specific objectives:
- Ensure availability of sufficient funds at reasonable cost and reasonable risk.
- Effective utilisation of funds, to ensure returns are more than cost of funds.
- Ensuring safety of funds by creating reserves, reinvesting profits, etc.
- Avoiding idle finance, else it will unnecessarily add to cost of finance.
Q.9 Financial management is based on three broad financial decisions. What are these?
Ans. Three broad financial decisions are:
(a) Investment Decision: The financial manager is required to study, analyse and evaluate various investment proposals and take decisions in the interest of the enterprise. These decisions, respectively, affect the liquidity and profitability of an enterprise.
(b) Financing decision: Financing decision involves determining the quantum of finance to be raised from various sources. It involves the identification of various available sources from were funds can be raised. The firm has to decide the proportion of funds to be raised from the various sources, depending on the risk and returns involved.
(c) Dividend decision: Financial management is also concerned with the appropriation of profits. The company has to meet various obligations out of its profit.
Q.10 Sunrises Ltd. dealing in readymade garments, is planning to expand its business operations in order to cater to international market. For this purpose the company needs additional Rs. 80,00,000 for replacing machines with modern machinery of higher production capacity. The company wishes to raise the required funds by issuing debentures. The
debt can be issued at an estimated cost of 10%.The EBIT for the previous year of the company was Rs.8,00,000 and total capital investment was Rs.1,00,00,000. Suggest whether issue of debenture would be considered a rational decision by the company. Give reason to justify your answer. (Ans. No, Cost of Debt (10%) is more than ROI which is 8%).
Ans. A company can issue debenture for raising fund if the cost of the debt is less than cost of capital.
In this case, the cost of capital for sunrises limited is 10% for the total capital of ₹80,00,000, cost of capital will be ₹8,00,000.
As per the previous year earnings statement, the company had net earnings of ₹8,00,000 for the capital investment of ₹1,00,000.
So total return on investment:
ROI = Return/Investment
ROI = 8,00,000/1,00,00,000 = 8 percent
Under the assumption, that company will operate under the same efficiency, the additional investment of 80,00,000 will be having net ROI of 8% which will be 6,40,000 against the cost of debt 8,00,000.
As for the project the cost of is 10% which is generating ROI of 8%. It would not advisable decision for a company to issue debenture when cost of debt is higher than cost of capital.
Q.11 How does working capital affect both the liquidity as well as profitability of a business?
Ans. Working capital is the excess of current assets over current liabilities. It affects both liquidity as well as profitability of a business.
Increase in working capital increases the liquidity of the business. But current assets have low returns so this decreases the profitability of the business.
Q.12 Aval Ltd. is engaged in the business of export of canvas goods and bags. In the past, the performance of the company had been upto the expectations. In line with the latest demand in the market, the company decided to venture into leather goods for which it required specialised machinery. For this, the Finance Manager Prabhu prepared a financial blueprint of the organisation’s future operations to estimate the amount of funds required and the timings with the objective to ensure that enough funds are available at right time. He also collected the relevant data about the profit estimates in the coming years. By doing this, he wanted to be sure about the availability of funds from the internal sources of the business.
For the remaining funds, he is trying to find out alternative sources from outside.
- Identify the financial concept discussed in the above paragraph. Also, state the objectives to be achieved by the use of financial concept so identified. (Financial Planning).
- ‘There is no restriction on payment of dividend by a company’. Comment. (Legal & Contractual Constraints)
Ans. a)
The concept discussed is ‘Financial Planning’.
The objective of financial planning is to ensure that enough funds are available at right time. If adequate funds are not available the firm will not be able to honour its commitments and carry out its plans.
Financial planning includes a proper estimation of the funds required for different purposes such as for the purchase of long-term assets or meet day-to-day expenses of business etc.
Excess funding is almost as bad as inadequate funding. Even if there is some surplus money, good financial planning would put it to the best possible use so that the financial resources are not left idle and don’t unnecessarily add to the cost.
b)
There is no restriction on payment of dividend by a company.
Legal constraints: Certain provisions of the Companies Act place restrictions on payouts as dividend. Such provisions must be adhered to while declaring the dividend.
Contractual Constraints: While granting loans to a company, sometimes the lender may impose certain restrictions on the payment of dividends in future. The companies are required to ensure that the dividend does not violate the terms of the loan agreement.
Q.13 What is working capital? Discuss five important determinants of working capital requirement?
Ans. Working capital is the excess of current assets over current liabilities. It is calculated by deducting current liabilities from current assets. If current assets are equal to current liabilities, it means that current assets are totally financed by current liabilities. If current assets are greater than current liabilities, then the excess is surely financed by non-current liabilities or long-term loans and share capital. Every business organisation needs to invest in current assets for the smooth functioning of day to day operations.
The important determinants of working capital requirement are:
(a) Nature of the business: In case of cash nature of business, inventories and book debts are lesser, so small working capital will be sufficient. On the other hand, trading and manufacturing business enterprises have larger stock and book debts, so their net working capital is higher.
(b) Technology and production cycle: In case of longer span of production cycle, higher working capital will be required. The quantum of working capital may be reduced by taking advance payment for goods, cash sales and improvement in production technology, etc.
At the same time, use of modern technology, machines and equipments makes the production process faster. Conversion of raw material into finished goods becomes quicker. Labour cost is reduced. As such working capital requirement becomes lesser.
(c) Trade/business cycle fluctuations: The operation of trade cycle results in boom, recession, depression and recovery in the economy. In boom situations, demand for goods increases resulting in the increase of price, production and expansion of business activities. It will require larger amount of working capital to meet the demand and for the modernisation of plant.
In case of depression and recession, business activities slow down, demand goes on a decline, low level of inventory is required, and debtors are also reduced. As such lesser working capital is required.
(d) Credit policy: Credit policy has dual effect on the quantum of capital. Firstly the credit terms allowed by firm to other firms and secondly the credit terms allowed by other firms to the firm. More credit sales will require more working capital and in the same way in case of cash sales, lesser working capital will be sufficient.
On the other hand, in case of liberal terms from the suppliers i.e. credit sales for longer duration or payment after sales, lesser working capital will be required and vice-versa.
(e) Growth prospects: Higher growth prospects is related to higher production and thus requires more amount of working capital.
Q.14 “Capital structure decision is essentially optimisation of risk-return relationship.” Comment.
Ans. Capital structure is the combination of differ financial sources used by a company for raising funds. It means the ratio of debts to equity and the ratio of debt to total capitalisation. Funds can be either owner’s funds or borrowed funds. Owners funds are in the form of shares, retained earnings, etc. Borrowed funds constitute loans, debentures and bonds. Both the sources have risk and cost associated with them. Cost of debt is less as interest paid is a tax deductible expense but this puts an additional liability on the company to pay interest irrespective of profit or loss. But higher return can be achieved through debt at lower cost.
Raising funds through equity is costlier as it involves payment of dividend and also voting rights are provided to shareholders that affect the decision making of the organisation. Capitalisation is the sum total of debt and equity. The cost of procuring funds should be less. While borrowing funds, it should be kept in mind that the cost of servicing of debts would be reasonably low.
Q.15 “A capital budgeting decision is capable of changing the financial fortunes of a business.” Doyou agree? give reasons for your answer?
Ans. The financial manager is required to study, analyse and evaluate various investment proposals and take decisions in the interest of the enterprise. Decisions for investments for a short term (regarding working capital) are called Working Capital decisions and those for long term (regarding investment in fixed assets/ branch) are called Capital Budgeting decisions. These decisions, respectively, affect the liquidity and profitability of an enterprise.
These decisions are very crucial for any business since they affect its earning capacity over the long run. The size of assets, the profitability and competitiveness are all affected by the capital budgeting decisions. Moreover, these decisions normally involve huge amounts of investment and are irreversible except at a huge cost. A bad capital budgeting decision normally has the capacity to severely damage the financial fortune of a selected or rejected. If there is only one project then its viability in terms of the rate of return viz., investment and its comparability with the industry’s average is seen.
Q.16 Explain the factors affecting dividend decision?
Ans. Factors affecting the dividend decision are:
- Shareholder’s preference: Preference of shareholders should be kept in mind while deciding the dividend distribution or retention of profits. If shareholders in general desire that at least a certain amount is to be paid as dividend the companies are likely to declare the same. There are always some shareholders who depend upon a regular income from their investments.
- Taxation Policy: A dividend distribution tax is charged on companies, but dividend is tax free in hands of shareholders. Companies may pay lower dividends if tax rate is high & vice-versa, whereas, shareholders may prefer higher dividends.
- Earnings: Dividends are paid out of current and past earning. Therefore, earnings are a major determinant of the decision about dividend.
- Stability of Earnings: Other things remaining the same, a company having stable earning is in a position to declare higher dividends.
- Growth Opportunities: Companies having good growth opportunities retain more money out of their earnings so as to finance the required investment.
- Access to Capital Market: Large and reputed companies generally have easy access to the capital market and therefore may depend less on retained earning to finance their growth. These companies tend to pay higher dividends than the smaller companies.
Stock Market Reaction: Investors, in general, view an increase in dividend as a good news and stock prices react positively to it. Similarly, a decrease in dividend may have a negative impact on the share prices in the stock market.
Q.17 Explain the term ‘Trading on equity’? Why,when and how it can be used by company.
Ans. Trading on equity refers to the use of more debt along with equity shares in the capital structure with a view to increase earnings per share. This is possible only if the return on investment is greater than rate of interest on debt. Trading on equity refers to the additional profits that equity shares earn because of high degree of financial leverage, i.e., funds raised by issuing more debts. Difference between return on investment and rate of interest on debt increases, earning per share increases.
Let us understand through a practical example:
XYZ Ltd. requires ₹ 4,00,000 for a project. He has two options:
- Raise entire amount by issue of equity shares, or
- Raise ₹ 1,50,000 through issue of equity shares and ₹2,50,000 by issue of 10% debentures.
Also consider that tax rate is 30%.
The EPS in different options will be:
|
Particulars |
Option (a) |
Option (b) |
| Earnings before interest and tax | 1,00,000 | 1,00,000 |
| Less: Interest | – | 25,000 |
| Earnings before tax | 1,00,000 | 75,000 |
| Less: Tax @ 30% | 30,000 | 22,500 |
| Earnings after tax | 70,000 | 52,500 |
| Divide: No. of shareholders | 40,000 | 15,000 |
| Earnings per share | 1.75 | 3.5 |
Option (b) has better EPS as it has the advantage of trading on equity. But this can be used only when the return on investment is higher than the rate of interest on debt.
Q.18 ‘S’ Limited is manufacturing steel at its plant in India. It is enjoying a buoyant demand for its products as economic growth is about 7–8 per cent and the demand for steel is growing. It is planning to set up a new steel plant to cash on the increased demand. It is estimated that it will require about Rs.5000 crores to set up and about Rs.500 crores of working capital to start the new plant.
a. Describe the role and objectives of financial management for this company.
b. Explain the importance of having a financial plan for this company. Give an imaginary plan to support your answer.
c. What are the factors which will affect the capital structure of this company?
d. Keeping in mind that it is a highly capital-intensive sector, what factors will affect the fixed and working capital. Give reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. Financial management is required to ascertain:
- Amount of fixed assets: Capital budgeting means taking investment decisions regarding the purchase of fixed assets. These decisions are very crucial for any business since they affect its earning capacity over the long run.
- Composition of funds used: Composition is the mix of short term and long term sources of finance used by the company.
- Debt equity proportion in the capital structure: Capital structure is the composition between owners’ funds and outsiders’ long-term funds. It tells how much amount has been invested by the owner of the business and how much amount has been borrowed from outside.
- Composition of current assets: Current assets are called gross working capital. Current assets include cash, debtors, stock and short-term investments.
The primary objective of financial management is to maximise shareholder’s wealth. To achieve the wealth maximisation objective, management needs to achieve the following specific objectives:
- Ensure availability of sufficient funds at reasonable cost and reasonable risk.
- Effective utilisation of funds, to ensure returns are more than cost of funds.
- Ensuring safety of funds by creating reserves, reinvesting profits, etc.
- Avoiding idle finance, else it will unnecessarily add to cost of finance.
- Financial planning will help the company to raise adequate funds. This will solve the problem of overcapitalization.
- It will help to minimise wastage of time, efforts and money.
- It will help the company to forecast more accurately.
- Factors that affect capital structure of the company are:
- Cash Flow Position: Size of projected cash flows must be considered before issuing debt. It must be kept in mind that a company has cash payment obligations.
- Interest Coverage Ratio (ICR): The higher the ratio, lower is the risk of company failing to meet its interest payment obligations
- Return on Investment (ROI): If the ROI of the company is higher, it can choose to use trading on equity to increase its EPS.
- Risk Consideration: Use of debt increases the financial risk of a business. Financial risk refers to a position when a company is unable to meet its fixed financial charges namely interest payment preference dividend and repayment obligations.
- Factors affecting fixed capital requirement are:
- Nature of Business: The type of business has a bearing upon the fixed capital requirement. A trading concern needs lower investment in fixed assets compared with a manufacturing organisation.
- Scale of Operations: A large organisation operating at a higher scale needs bigger plant, more space etc. and therefore, requires higher investment in fixed assets when compared with the smaller organisation.
- Choice of Technique: Some organisations are capital intensive whereas others are labour intensive. A capital intensive organisation requires higher investment in plant and machinery compared to others.
- Technology Up gradation: In certain industries, which employ higher technology, the assets become obsolete sooner. Consequently, their replacements become due faster, requiring higher capital requirement.
- Growth prospects: If an organisation has growth plans, it requires higher investment in fixed assets and consequently higher fixed capital, compared to organisations which do not have immediate expansion prospects.
Factors affecting working capital requirement are:
- Nature of Business: The basic nature of a business influences the amount of working capital required. A trading organisation usually needs a lower amount of working capital compared to a manufacturing organisation.
- Scale of Operations: For organisations which operate on a higher scale of operation, the quantum of inventory, debtors required is generally high.
- Seasonal Factors: Most business have some seasonality in their operations. In peak season, because of higher level of activity, higher amount of working capital is required.
- Production Cycle: Production cycle is the time span between the receipt of raw material and their conversion into finished good Duration and the length of production cycle, affects the amount of funds required for raw materials and expenses.
