Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, Second Edition

Contents

PART 1 INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1 The Financial Manager and the Firm

1.1 THE ROLE OF THE FINANCIAL MANAGER

Stakeholders

It's All about Cash Flows

Building Intuition: Cash Flows Matter Most to Investors

Three Fundamental Decisions in Financial Management

Building Intuition: Sound Investments are Those Where the Value of the Benefits Exceeds Their Cost

Building Intuition: Financing Decisions Affect the Value of the Firm

1.2 FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Sole Proprietorships

Partnerships

Corporations

Hybrid Forms of Business Organization

1.3 MANAGING THE FINANCIAL FUNCTION

Organizational Structure

Positions Reporting to the CFO

External Auditors

The Audit Committee

The Compliance and Ethics Director

1.4 THE GOAL OF THE FIRM

What Should Management Maximize?

Why Not Maximize Profits?

Building Intuition: The Timing of Cash Flows Affects Their Value

Building Intuition: The Riskiness of Cash Flows Affects Their Value

Maximize the Value of the Firm's Stock

Building Intuition: The Financial Manager's Goal Is to Maximize the Value of the Firm's Stock

Can Management Decisions Affect Stock Prices?

1.5 AGENCY CONFLICTS: SEPARATION OF OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL

Ownership and Control

Agency Relationships

Do Managers Really Want to Maximize Stock Price?

Aligning the Interests of Management and Stockholders

Sarbanes-Oxley and Other Regulatory Reforms

1.6 THE IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS IN BUSINESS

Business Ethics

Are Business Ethics Different from Everyday Ethics?

Types of Ethical Conflicts in Business ...