FIN 320 Managerial Finance Fall Semester 2022
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FIN 320 Managerial Finance
Fall Semester 2022
Case Study 2 – Swedish Match
Due 11/22/2022 at the beginning of class
Learning Objectives & Instructions
In this assignment you will analyze the proposed change in the financial policy of Swedish Match. The case is set around September 2005. During this time period Lars Dahlgren, the CFO of Swedish Match, is considering a radical change in the firm’s financial policy. Specifically, Dahlgren is considering whether to increase the leverage of the firm through a bond issuance, and using the money raised from the bond issuance to repurchase shares. As part of this assignment you will analyze whether this transaction will ultimately be to the benefit of Swedish Match’s shareholders. Additionally, this assignment asks you to discuss the benefits and costs associated with debt financing.
This case study is slightly more qualitative in nature compare to the last one. Therefore, it is especially important that you read the entire case study in the course packet carefully before attempting to answer the questions below. You might have to read the case study several times to make sure you have all the information that you need. All of the information you require to solve this assignment is in the course packet (see syllabus on how to obtain a copy).
You may work on this case study independently or in groups of up to four students. If you work in groups, please only hand in one copy of your write-up per group and make sure to list the full names of all your group members. You will hand in a type-written copy of your write-up at the beginning of class on the due date. The first page should have the title “FIN 320 – Swedish Match Case” and list your full name(s). I will not accept late submissions or hand-written submissions, or submissions by email.
Please follow the following additional instructions when completing the assignment:
- Assume a corporate tax rate of 28% for Swedish Match
- Assume that Swedish Match has no excess cash
- Assume that if Swedish Match institutes the new financial policy it will issue a perpetual bond with a face value of SEK 4 billion
- Assume that the yield on a perpetual bond equals the yield on a 30-year bond
Question 1 (5 Points)
The new financial policy that Dahlgren proposes is a big departure from Swedish Match’s past financial policy. What is the main factor that has prompted Swedish Match to consider this radical change in its
financial policy? (i.e. Why are they considering this now?) Briefly explain.
Question 2 (10 Points)
The new financial policy involves taking on more debt to repurchase shares. Increasing leverage to repurchase shares will likely have benefits as well as costs. Based on the information provided in the case, briefly discuss two potential benefits and two potential costs associated with this transaction.
Question 3
Part A (5 Points)
Exhibit 5 of the case displays average financial ratios by credit rating. Assume Swedish Match institutes the new financial policy and issues the new bond of SEK 4 billion to repurchase shares. Calculate the following financial ratios for Swedish Match under this scenario:
EBIT interest coverage
EBITDA interest coverage
Total debt/EBITDA
(Hint: you can’t just use the ratios from Exhibit 7 to answer this question. You will have to make adjustments for the new amount of debt and interest.)
Part B (5 Points)
Based on your calculations in Part A, and based on the data in Exhibit 5, do you think Swedish Match would likely receive a credit rating of BBB by S&P if it institutes the new financial policy and issues the new bond? Explain your answer.
Question 4 (15 Points)
Assume that Swedish Match will receive a credit rating of BBB if it moves forward with the new financial policy. Answer the following:
What is a good estimate for the cost of debt on the new perpetual bond associated with this
transaction? Briefly discuss how you came up with that estimate.
Based on your estimate for the cost of debt, calculate the annual interest tax shield Swedish
Match would expect to get from issuing the perpetual bond.
Calculate the present value of all future interest tax shields from issuing the perpetual bond.
Question 5 (15 Points)
Assume that Swedish Match will receive a credit rating of BBB if it moves forward with the new financial policy. Answer the following:
What is the enterprise value before and after the transaction?
How many shares will be repurchased and at what price
What is the share price of Swedish Match before and after the transaction?
Please make the following simplifying assumptions to answer this question:
- Use 2004 numbers to estimate the enterprise value and share price before the transaction.
- Assume that corporate taxes are the only market imperfection.
- Assume that shareholders do not anticipate the transaction before it is announced.
- Assume that the full proceeds from the perpetual bond issuance will be used to repurchase shares, and that all repurchases are conducted on the same day.
Question 6 (5 Points)
Based on your calculations from Question 5, would you recommend that Swedish Match moves forward with the transaction or not? Briefly explain your answer.
2022-11-19