Kaplan GB550 all discussions

Unit 1 discussion 1Discussion 1 of 2
What is the meaning of share value maximization? If a
firm attempts to maximize its fundamental stock price, is this good, or
bad, for society? Explain.

Discussion
2 of 2

Since this
is a finance class, it is important to explore the different careers and
certifications within the field of finance. Visit Kaplan University’s Career
Network at .kaplan.edu/CareerNetwork”>https://kucampus.kaplan.edu/CareerNetwork or via
your KU Campus home page. Write a few paragraphs, of 150 words or more,
discussing a career in finance and whether that career requires a certification
or not, the expected salary, and any specific requirements for the career. (.kaplan.edu/GB550_1204D/REFERENCE_A8kAhz5dIN8TaVt_VdlR3w.xml.html”>Read more about Career Services)
Unit 2

Discussion
1 of 2

Please read the Harvard Case Study —
eBay Inc.: Internet Success or Fairy Tale? by David F. Hawkins and Jacob
Cohen. This case study can be found in the Harvard Case Study website using the
following link: .hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/13637669″>http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/13637669

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Please answer the following questions about the case study:
Use the 2002 Financial Statement data to replicate the
Meyer’s report calculations that illustrate the following conclusion based
on the 2001 data reached in the report: eBay has never been profitable.
Why? Why not?Do you agree with Meyer’s report concept of “unfettered”
cash flow? Why? Why not?What other conclusions can you reach about the company
from the case study?

Discussion
2 of 2

4.
Why is it sometimes misleading to
compare a company’s financial ratios with those of other firms that operate in
the same industry?
Unit 3

Discussion
1 of 2

Discuss the relationship between the
price of a bond and interest rates. Why does the price of a bond change over
its lifetime? Please offer a quantitative example to demonstrate this
relationship.

Discussion
2 of 2

In the
real world, is it possible to construct a portfolio of stocks that has an
expected return equal to the risk-free rate? Provide examples.
Unit 4

Discussion
1 of 2

Research
and define technical analysis and fundamental analysis. Provide examples of
each type of analysis. Which style of analysis makes the most sense for the
long-term investor?

Discussion
2 of 2

Conceptually,
how does an investor choose his, or her, optimal portfolio? What criteria
should be used? Provide, and discuss, your example.
Unit 5

Discussion
1 of 2

From a financial manager’s
perspective, discuss the capital-budgeting process used to identify projects
that add to the firm’s value? How do capital-budgeting decisions help to define
a firm’s strategic direction?

Discussion
2 of 2

When two
mutually exclusive projects are being compared, explain why the short-term
project might be higher ranked under the NPV criterion if the cost of capital
is high; whereas, the long-term project might be deemed better if the cost of
capital is low. Would changes in the cost of capital ever cause a change in the
IRR ranking of two such projects? Explain.
Unit 6

Discussion

How does a firm’s capital structure relate to your personal
capital structure? In what ways are they similar? Provide examples of how you
use debt and equity in your personal financial life that parallels the basic
capital structure decisions made by a firm.