Shareholder Wealth Maximization model posits that the primary goal of a corporation is to maximize the wealth of its shareholders, typically measured by the stock price. This model emphasizes profit maximization and financial returns for shareholders.

Stakeholder Model extends beyond shareholders and recognizes that corporations have a responsibility to consider the interests of various stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment. This model emphasizes creating value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

2. Three Main Financial Statements and Their Value

1. Income Statement: This statement shows a company’s revenues, expenses, and net income over a specific period. It provides insights into a company’s profitability and operational efficiency.
2. Balance Sheet: This statement shows a company’s assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. It provides a snapshot of the company’s financial health and resource allocation.
3. Cash Flow Statement: This statement shows the inflows and outflows of cash from operating, investing, and financing activities. It provides information about a company’s liquidity and ability to generate cash.

These statements are crucial for corporate decision-making as they provide information about a company’s financial performance, financial position, and cash flow.

3. Corporate Governance and Agency Conflicts

Agency conflicts arise when the interests of managers (agents) diverge from the interests of shareholders (principals). Effective corporate governance can minimize these conflicts by:

• Aligning incentives: Implementing compensation packages that align managers’ interests with shareholders’ interests, such as stock options or performance-based bonuses.
• Board oversight: Ensuring that the board of directors is independent and actively oversees management’s actions.
• Disclosure requirements: Mandating transparency and disclosure of financial information to hold managers accountable.
• Shareholder rights: Protecting the rights of shareholders, including their right to vote and participate in corporate governance.

4. Important Financial Ratios

The most important category of financial ratios for a corporation depends on the specific goals and needs of the company. However, some commonly used ratios include:

• Liquidity ratios: Measure a company’s ability to meet short-term obligations (e.g., current ratio, quick ratio).
• Solvency ratios: Measure a company’s long-term financial health and ability to meet debt obligations (e.g., debt-to-equity ratio, interest coverage ratio).
• Profitability ratios: Measure a company’s ability to generate profits (e.g., gross profit margin, net profit margin).
• Efficiency ratios: Measure how effectively a company uses its assets and resources (e.g., asset turnover ratio, inventory turnover ratio).

5. Time Value of Money in Corporate Finance

Time value of money is the concept that money available today is worth more than the same amount of money in the future due to its potential earning capacity. This principle is fundamental to corporate finance decision-making.

• Investment analysis: Time value of money is used to evaluate investment opportunities and determine whether the expected future cash flows justify the initial investment.
• Capital budgeting: It helps companies assess the profitability of long-term projects by discounting future cash flows to their present value.
• Debt financing: Time value of money is used to determine the cost of debt and the optimal debt-to-equity ratio.
• Retirement planning: It helps individuals and corporations plan for future financial needs by considering the time value of money.