CBSE Class 12 Business Studies Financial Management Worksheet Set C

Key Concepts in nutshell:

Meaning of Business Finance: Money required for carrying out business activities is called business finance.
Financial Management: It is concerned with optimal procurement as well as usage of finance.
Role of Financial Management: It cannot be over-emphasized, since it has a direct bearing on the financial health of a business. The financial statements such as Profit and Loss A/C and B/S reflect a firms financial position and its financial health.
i) The size as well as the composition of fixed assets of the business
ii) The quantum of current assets as well as its break-up into cash, inventories and receivables.
iii) The amount of long-term and short-term financing to be used.
iv) Break- up of long-term financing into debt, equity etc.
v) All items in the profit and loss account e.g., interest, expenses, depreciation etc.
Objectives of Financial Management: Maximisation of owners‟ wealth is sole objective of financial management. It means maximization of the market value of equity shares.
Market price of equity share increases if the benefits from a decision exceed the cost involved.

Financial Decisions 

Investment Decision: It relates to how the firm‟s funds are invested in different assets .
Investment decision can be long-term or short-term. A long-term investment decision is also called a Capital Budgeting decision.
Factors affecting Capital Budgeting Decision/Investment Decision:
1. Cash flows of the project: If anticipated cash flows are more than the cost involved then such projects are considered.
2. The rate of return: The investment proposal which ensures highest rate of return is finally selected.
3. The investment criteria involved: Through capital budgeting techniques, investment proposals are selected.
Financing Decision: It refers to the quantum of finance to be raised from various sources of long-term of finance. It involves identification of various available sources.
The main sources of funds for a firm are shareholders funds and borrowed funds.
Shareholders funds refer to equity capital and retained earnings. Borrowed funds refer to finance raised as debentures or other forms of debt.

Factors Affecting Financing Decision

(a) Cost:The cost of raising funds through different sources is different. A prudent financial manager would normally opt for a source which is the cheapest.

(b) Risk:The risk associated with different sources is different.

(c) Floatation Costs:Higher the floatation cost, less attractive the source.

(d) Cash Flow Position of the Business: A stronger cash flow position may make debt financing more viable than funding through equity.

(e) Level of Fixed Operating Costs:If a business has high level of fixed operating costs (e.g., building rent, Insurance premium, Salaries etc.), It must opt for lower fixed financing
costs. Hence, lower debt financing is better. Similarly, if fixed operating cost is less, more

(f) Control Considerations: Issues of more equity may lead to dilution of management‟s control over the business. Debt financing has no such implication. Companies afraid of a takeover bid may consequently prefer debt to equity.

(g) State of Capital Markets:Health of the capital market may also affect the choice of source of fund. During the period when stock market is rising, more people are ready to invest in equity. However, depressed capital market may make issue of equity shares difficult for any company.

DIVIDEND DECISION: The decision involved here is how much of the profit earned by company (after paying tax) is to be distributed to the shareholders and how much of it should be retained in the business for meeting the investment requirements.

FACTORS AFFECTING DIVIDEND DECISION

(a) Earnings:Dividends are paid out of current and past earning. Therefore, earnings is a major determinant of the decision about dividend.

(b) Stability of Earnings:Other things remaining the same, a company having stable earning is in a position to declare higher dividends. As against this, a company having unstable earnings is likely to pay smaller dividend.

(c) Stability of Dividends:It has been found that the companies generally follow a policy of stabilising dividend per share.

(d) Growth Opportunities:Companies having good growth opportunities retain more money out of their earnings so as to finance the required investment.

(e) Cash Flow Position:Dividends involve an outflow of cash. A company may be profitable but short on cash. Availability of enough cash in the company is necessary for declaration of dividend by it.

(f) Shareholder Preference: While declaring dividends, managements usually keep in mind the preferences of the shareholders in this regard.

(g) Taxation Policy: The choice between payment of dividends and retaining the earnings is, to some extent, affected by difference in the tax treatment of dividends and capital gains.

(h) 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.

(i) 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 which have relatively low access to the market.

(j) Legal Constraints: Certain provisions of the Company‟s Act place restrictions on payouts as dividend. Such provisions must be adhered to while declaring the dividends.

(k) Contractual Constraints: While granting loans to a company, sometimes the lender may impose certain restrictions on the payment of dividends in future.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
Financial Planning is essentially preparation of financial blueprint of an organisations‟s future operations. The objective of financial planning is to ensure that enough funds are available at right time.

OBJECTIVES
(a) To ensure availability of funds whenever these are required: This include 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 raiseresources unnecessarily: Excess funding is almost as bad as inadequate funding.

IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING :
(i) It tries to forecast what may happen in future under different business situations. By doing so, it helps the firms to face the eventual situation in a better way. In other words, it
makes the firm better prepared to face the future.
(ii) It helps in avoiding business shocks and surprises and helps the company in preparing for the future.
(iii) If helps in co-ordinating various business functions e.g., sales and production functions, by providing clear policies and procedures.
(iv) Detailed plans of action prepared under financial planning reduce waste, duplication of efforts, and gaps in planning.
(v) It tries to link the present with the future.
(vi) It provides a link between investment and financing decisions on a continuous basis.
(vii) By spelling out detailed objectives for various business segments, it makes the evaluation of actual performance easier.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE: Capital structure refers to the mix between owners and borrowed funds.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

1. Cash Flow Position: Size of projected cash flows must be considered before issuing debt.
2. Interest Coverage Ratio (ICR): The interest coverage ratio refers to the number of times earnings before interest and taxes of a company covers the interest obligation.
3. Debt Service Coverage Ratio(DSCR): Debt Service Coverage Ratio takes care of the deficiencies referred to in the Interest Coverage Ratio (ICR).
4. Return on Investment (RoI): If the RoI of the company is higher, it can choose to use trading on equity to increase its EPS, i.e., its ability to use debt is greater.
5. Cost of debt: A firm‟s ability to borrow at a lower rate increases its capacity to employ higher debt. Thus, more debt can be used if debt can be raised at a lower rate.
6. Tax Rate: Since interest is a deductible expense, cost of debt is affected by the tax rate.
7. Cost of Equity: Stock owners expect a rate of return from the equity which is commensurate with the risk they are assuming. When a company increases debt, the financial risk faced by the equity holders, increases.
8. Floatation Costs: Process of raising resources also involves some cost. Public issue of shares and debentures requires considerable expenditure. Getting a loan from a financial institution may not cost so much.
9. Risk Consideration: As discussed earlier, use of debt increases the financial risk of a business.
10. Flexibility: If a firm uses its debt potential to the full, it loses flexibility to issue further debt.
11. Control: Debt normally does not cause a dilution of control.
12. Regulatory Framework: Every company operates within a regulatory framework provided by the law e.g., public issue of shares and debentures has to be made under SEBI guidelines.
13. Stock market conditions: If the stock markets are bullish, equity shares are more easily sold even at a higher price. However, during a bearish phase, a company may find raising of equity capital more difficult and it may opt for debt.
14. Capital Structure of other companies: A useful guideline in the capital structure planning is the debt-equity rations of other companies in the same industry. There are usually some industry norms which may help.

MANAGEMENT OF FIXED CAPITAL :
Fixed capital refers to investment in long-term assets. Management of fixed capital involves around allocation of firm‟s capital to different projects or assets with long-term implications for the business. These decisions are called investment decisions or capital budgeting decisions and affect the growth, profitability and risk of the business in the long run. These long-term assets last for more than one year.

IMPORTANCE OF CAPITAL BUDGETING DECISIONS :
(i) Long-term growth and effects: These decisions have bearing on the long-term growth.
The funds invested in long-term assets are likely to yield returns in the future.
(ii) Large amount of funds involved: These decisions result in a substantial portion of capital funds being blocked in long-term projects
(iii) Risk involved:Fixed capital involves investment of huge amounts. It affects the returns of the firm as a whole in the long-term. Therefore, investment decisions involving fixed capital influence the overall business risk complexion of the firm.
(iv) Irreversible decisions:These decisions once taken, are not reversible without incurring heavy losses.

Factors affecting the Requirement of Fixed Capital

1. Nature of Business: The type of business has a bearing upon the fixed capital requirements. For example, a trading concern needs lower investment in fixed assets compared with a manufacturing organisation.

2. Scale of Operations: A larger organisation operating at a higher scale needs bigger plant, more space etc. and therefore, requires higher investment in fixed assets when compared with the small organisation.

3. Choice of Technique: Some organisations are capital intensive whereas others are labour intensive. A capital-intensive organisation requires higher investment in plant and machinery as it relies less on manual labour.

4. Technology Up gradation: In certain industries, assets become obsolete sooner.
Consequently, their replacements become due faster. Higher investment in fixed assets may, therefore, be required in such cases.

5. Growth Prospects: Higher growth of an organisation generally requires higher investment in fixed assets.

6. Diversification: A firm may choose to diversify its operations for various reasons, With diversification, fixed capital requirements increases.

7. Financing Alternatives: A developed financial market may provide leasing facilities as an alternative to outright purchase. Availability of leasing facilities, thus, may reduce the funds required to be invested in fixed assets, there by reducing the fixed capital requirements. Such a strategy is specially suitable in high risk lines of business.

8. Level of Collaboration: At times, certain business organisations share each other‟s facilities. For example, a bank may use another‟s ATM or some of them may jointly establish a particular facility. Such collaboration reduces the level of investment in fixed assets for each one of the participating organisations.

Working Capital

Net working capital may be defined as the excess of current assets over current liabilities.

FACTORS AFFECTING WORKING CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Nature of Business: Trading Organisations – Less working capital Manufacturing Organisations – more working capital
2. Scale of Operations: Large scale organizations – more working capital Small scale organizations – less working capital
3. Business Cycle: Boom period - more working capita Depression period - less working capital
4. Seasonal factors: Peak season – more working capital Lean season – less working capital
5. Production cycle: Longer production cycle – more working capital Shorter production cycle – less working capital
6. Credit allowed: Conservative/strict credit policy – less working capital Liberal credit policy – more working capital
7. Credit availed: If credit is available easily from suppliers - less working capital If credit is not available easily from suppliers – more working capital
8. Operating efficiency: If current asses are managed efficiently – less working capital If current assets are not managed efficiently – more working capital
9. Availability of Raw Material: Easy and timely availability of raw material – less
working capital Difficulty and lengthy time period are involved in getting raw materials – more working capital
10. Growth Prospects: If there is possibility of growth potential - more working capital If there is no possibility of growth – less working capital
11. Level of Competition: If there is stiff and cut-throat competition – more working capital Less competition and monopoly like situation – less working capital
12. Inflation : During inflation – more working capital During recession – less working capital

Financial leverage/Capital Gearing/ Trading on Equity :
It is an assumption that by using fixed charge bearing securities in the capital structure of a company, return to the equity shareholders can be increased. But this is possible only when the rate of return of the company is higher than the rate interest which a company pays on its debt capital.
For example a company has Rs.10 crores capital. Option 1 the company uses only equity capital Option 2 the company uses 50% equity and 50% debt capital in its capital structure. Rate of interest on debt is 15%. Rate of Income-tax is 30% . Profit before interest and tax is Rs.2 crores. 

Very Short Answer

Question. Identify the decision taken in financial management which affects the liquidity as well as the profitability of business. 
Answer: It is short-term investment decision.

Question. A company wants to establish a new unit in which a machinery of worth 10 lakh is involved. Identify the type of decision involved in financial management. 
Answer: It is Long-term Investment Decision (also known as Capital Budgeting Decision).

Question. Name the financial decision which will help a businessman in opening a new branch of its business. 
Answer: Investment decision.

Question. "Cost of debt" is lower than the "cost of Equity share capital". Give reason why even then a company cannot work only with the debt. 
Answer: "Cost of debt" is lower than the "cost of Equity share capital", Because it increases the financial risk of the company and burden of interest.

Question. Name the financial decision which affects the liquidity as well as profitability of a business.
Answer: Short-term Investment Decision financial decision which affects the liquidity as well as profitability of a business.

Questions And Answers

Question. Name the cheapest source of finance to a company. 
Answer: Debt capital

Question. Name the decision to acquire a new and modern plant to upgrade an old one. 
Answer: Investment decision

Question. Canara Bank wants to open a new branch of his bank? What is this decision called? 
Answer: Investment decision

Question. What is the cost of raising funds called? 
Answer: Floatation cost

Question. How the EPS is computed?
Answer: Earnings available for equity shareholders/No. of equity shares

Question. How the Interest Coverage Ratio is computed?
Answer: EBIT/Interest

Question. How the Return on Investment is computed? 
Answer: EBIT/Capital Employed X 100

Question. Which is the most costly capital for a company?
Answer: Equity share capital

Question. Name the concept which increases the return on equity shares with a change in the capital structure of a company. 
Answer: Trading on Equity

Question. State why the working capital needs for a „Service-industry‟ are different from that of a Manufacturing industry. 
Answer: Service industries need less working capital because they do not require any inventory.
They do not have any manufacturing process.

Question. Name any two essential ingredients of sound working capital management. 
Answer: Inventory, debtors

Question. „Cost of debt‟ is lower than the „cost of equity share capital‟ Give reasons why even then a company cannot work only with the debt. 
Answer: A company cannot exist without equity share capital

Question. What is meant by Gross working capital?
Answer: Total investment on current assets (Current liabilities should not be deducted)

Question. Name that portion of current assets which is financed by fixed liabilities. 
Answer: Net working capital

Question. Why is working capital needed? Give any one reason. 
Answer: It is required to meet day to day expenses.

Question. Discuss about working capital affecting both liquidity as well as profitability of a business.
Answer: The working capital should neither be more or less than required. Both these situations are harmful. It is considered as a necessary evil.

Question. “Sound Financial Management is the key to the prosperity of business: 
Answer: Role of financial management

Question. State the two important objectives of financial planning. 
Answer: i) To ensure timely availability of finance ii) To ensure proper balance of finance.

Question. What do you mean by Financial Leverage? 
Answer: Trading on equity

Question. “Share Capital is better than debt capital” In the favour of this statement explain one factor which affects the capital structure. 
Answer: Cash flow position or other relevant point which favours equity capital.

Question. When debt capital is cheaper than the equity capital, why don‟t companies go for debt capital alone? 
Answer: A public company cannot be incorporated without equity share capital.

Question. How the control of existing shareholders affects? How this situation can be avoided? 
Answer: This situation can be avoided by raising debt capital rather than equity capital.

Question. “Tax benefit is available only in case of payment of interest and not on the payment of preference dividend “Why 
Answer: Interest on debt only tax deductable expense but not preference dividend.

Question. How can the return on equity be increased by using debt in the capital structure? with a suitable example. 
Answer: Trading on equity.

Question. A businessman who wants to start a manufacturing concern approaches you to suggest him whether the following manufacturing concerns would require large or small working capital:
i) Bread ii) Sugar iii) Furniture manufacturing against specific order
iv) Cool ers v) Motor Car
Answer: i) Bread – less ii) Sugar – More iii) Furniture manufacturing against specific order – less iv) Coolers – More v) Motor Car - More.