READ THIS FIRST
Case: APEX CARBON FIBERS
Learning Objectives
To successfully apply financial analysis and decision making techniques covered in the course
to a comprehensive case study, and to make the relevant observations and recommendations.
Guidelines
1 Closely examine the questions you have to answer.
2 Proceed to answer the questions, one-at-a-time, as you refer to the needed explanatory material.
3 Give yourself enough time to prepare comprehensive answers that show what you learned; edit your work before you submit it. Writing craft and grammar counts.
4 Weights: Q1-Q5: 15% each; Q7: 25%. The answer to Q6 has been provided to you
Questions
Use answer boxes on the question tabs. Keep each answer inside of its answer box.
Q1 Using historical financial ratios, judge Apex's performance.
What information would you need to appraise its business risk and financial risk? Do so to the extent possible.
Q2 Explain the meaning of Apex's financial statement forecast, i.e., what is the external financing required?
Can Apex repay the loan, and is the loan within Apex's debt capacity?
Q3 Calculate Apex's k-wacc. Explain.
Q4 Calculate NPV, PI, IRR and PP for the proposed robotics project. Then, explain whether or not
Apex should green-light or red-light the proposed investment project.
Q5 Calculate and explain fully the equity value of the business and whether it could be an LBO target.
Q6 Is equity financing a reasonable alternative to bo
owing? Explain. The answer to this question has been provided to you
Q7 UNRELATED TO APEX
Explain to a group of people without a background in finance, using language they can understand and without jargon,
why the equity risk premium (ERP) is, simultaneously, both so simple and so complex.
THERE IS NO SINGLE CORRECT ANSWER. THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT IS TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED TO DO IN THIS COURSE.
USE TEMPLATE RESULTS , CASE FACTS, AND YOUR JUDGMENT.
THINK LIKE A PROFESSIONAL… NOT LIKE A STUDENT.
DISPLAY YOUR ABILITY TO THINK CRITICALLY/ANALYTICALLY.
WRITE PROFESSIONALLY
Ratio Interpretation
SAMPLE TABLE
RATIO / YEAR 2010 2011 % CHANGE INTERPRETATION NUMERATOR DEMONINATOR
Liquidity Ratios
Cu
ent ratio 1.6 1.3 -21% negative, less liquidity cu
ent assets cu
ent liabilities
Quick ratio 1.1 0.8 -21% negative, less liquidity cu
assets-inventory cu
ent liabilities
Days sales in receivables 75.4 56.3 -25% positive, quicker collections receivables revenue/365 days
Days cost of sales in inventory 59.9 54.0 -10% positive, faster turnover inventory cost of sales/365 days
Days cost of sales in payables 47.6 65.0 37% negative, paying more slowly payables cost of sales/365 days
Leverage Ratios
Long-term debt to total capital 57.9% 45.5% -21% positive, less financial risk l-t leases+loans+debt l-t leases+loans+debt+equity
Long-term debt to equity 137.4% 83.5% -39% positive, less financial risk l-t leases+loans+debt equity
Times interest earned 1.8 3.8 109% positive, better coverage operating profit (EBIT) finance costs
Full burden coverage 1.5 3.1 107% positive, better coverage oper profit + lease exp finance costs + (lease exp/[1-tax rate])
Efficiency (Asset-Use) Ratios
Fixed asset turnover 1.2 1.4 19% positive, faster turnover revenue total non-cu
ent assets
Total asset turnover 0.8 1.0 21% positive, faster turnover revenue total assets
Profitability Ratios
Gross margin 23.9% 34.9% 46% positive, big improvement gross profit revenue
Operating profit margin 6.8% 11.3% 65% positive, bigger improvement operating profit (EBIT) revenue
Return on sales 2.7% 8.6% 216% positive, still bigger improvement net profit revenue
Return on total assets (ROA) 2.2% 8.5% 283% positive, still bigger improvement net profit total assets
Return on equity (ROE) 6.8% 21.2% 212% positive, big improvement net profit equity
Return on invested capital (ROIC) 4.7% 9.4% 100% positive, big improvement EBIT*I1-tax rate) total assets
DuPont Formula
DuPont Formula - ROE 6.8% 21.3% 212% profitability x efficiency x leverage
Profitability 2.7% 8.6% 216% positive, big improvement net profit revenue
Efficiency 0.8 1.0 21% positive, better turnover revenue total assets
Leverage 3.1 2.5 -19% positive, less financial risk total assets equity
ROE Check 6.8% 21.2% 212% calculation check to verify row 121 net profit equity
Compound Annual Growth Rates
Revenues 40.8% XXXXXXXXXX 2009
Gross profit 105.7% XXXXXXXXXX 2009
Operating profit (EBIT) 131.9% XXXXXXXXXX 2009
Total assets 16.0% XXXXXXXXXX 2009
About APEX
Q1 Q2 FIN'L STATEMENTS&RATIOS
APEX CARBON FIBERS ANSWER QUESTIONS BEGINNING AT ROW 70
Historical and Projected Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31. Assume today is December 31, 2021
(000) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
(Actual) (Actual) (Actual) (Actual) (Projected) (Projected)
Sales 71,924 80,115 92,613 106,042 110,284 114,695
Operating expenses:
Production costs and expenses 33,703 38,393 46,492 53,445 55,142 57,348
Admin. and selling expenses 16,733 17,787 21,301 24,633 25,365 26,380
Depreciation 8,076 9,028 10,392 11,360 15,260 19,160
Total operating expenses 58,512 65,208 78,185 89,438 95,767 102,887
Operating profit 13,412 14,907 14,428 16,604 14,517 11,808
Interest expense 3,487 3,929 6,227 7,614 8,227 8,967
Earnings before taxes 9,925 10,978 8,201 8,990 6,289 2,841
Income taxes 2,432 2,690 2,009 2,203 1,541 696
Net earnings 7,494 8,288 6,192 6,787 4,748 2,145
Dividends to all common shares 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000
Retentions of earnings 5,494 6,288 4,192 4,787 2,748 145
(000) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
(Actual) (Actual) (Actual) (Actual) (Projected) (Projected)
Assets
Cash 4,816 5,670 5,090 5,795 5,795 5,795
Accounts receivable 22,148 25,364 28,078 35,486 0 H25 will populate automatically once you enter the formula/value in G25
Inventories 23,301 27,662 53,828 63,778 63,778 63,778
Total cu
ent assets 50,265 58,696 86,996 105,059 69,573 69,573
Gross property plant & equipt. 64,611 80,153 97,899 115,153 115,153 115,153
Accumulated depreciation -4,559 -13,587 -23,979 -35,339 -46,699 -65,859
Net property plant & equipt. 60,052 66,566 73,920 79,814 68,454 49,294
Total assets 110,317 125,262 160,916 184,873 138,027 118,867
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Short-term bo
owings (bank) 29,002 35,462 69,005 82,275 91,226 102,023
Accounts payable 12,315 12,806 11,890 13,370 0 H35 will populate automatically once you enter the formula/value in G35
Other accrued liabilities 24,609 26,315 25,150 21,370 21,318 21,318
Total cu
ent liabilities 65,926 74,583 106,045 117,015 112,544 123,341
Long-term debt 10,000 10,000 10,000 18,200 18,200 18,200
Shareholders' equity 34,391 40,679 44,871 49,658 52,407 52,551 prev SE+RE
Total liabilities & stockholders' equity 110,317 125,262 160,916 184,873 183,151 194,092
EFN Enter co
ect formula in G41 and H41
to calculate EFN for 2022 and 2023
2018 2019 2020 2021 % change XXXXXXXXXX 2022 2023
(Actual) (Actual) (Actual) (Actual) (Projected) (Projected)
PROFITABILITY
Operating margin 18.6% 18.6% 15.6% 15.7% -16.0% 13.2% 10.3%
Tax rate 24.5% 24.5% 24.5% 24.5% 24.5% 24.5%
Return on sales 10.4% 10.3% 6.7% 6.4% 4.3% 1.9%
Return on equity 21.8% 20.4% 13.8% 13.7% 9.1% 4.1%
Return on assets 6.8% 6.6% 3.8% 3.7% 3.4% 1.8%
LEVERAGE
Debt/equity ratio 113.4% 111.8% 176.1% 202.3% 208.8% 228.8%
Debt/total capital 35.4% 36.3% 49.1% 54.3% 59.7% 61.9%
EBIT/interest 3.8 3.8 2.3 2.2 1.8 1.3
ASSET USE
Sales/assets 65.2% 64.0% 57.6% 57.4% 79.9% 96.5%
Sales growth rate 15.0% 11.4% 15.6% 14.5% 4.0% 4.0%
Assets growth rate 8.0% 13.5% 28.5% 14.9% -25.3% -13.9%
Days sales outstanding 112 116 111 122 120 120
Days payable outstanding 133 122 93 91 90 90
Days inventory outstanding 252 263 423 436 435 435
LIQUIDITY
Cu
ent ratio 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.6
Quick ratio 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.0
Q1a.
- Enter inputs in empty cells in the balance sheet (G25 and G35). Hint: review Wk 6 guideline solutions.
- Calculate the % change (yellow highlighted cells) as (ending value - beginning value) / beginning value. F47 has been calculated for you as an example.
- Using historical financial ratios, judge Apex's performance.
Hint for getting started:
See sample table in the Ratio Interpretation tab as a quick reference on how to interpret the % change to guide your analysis.
Then add your comments below each header (Profitability, Leverage, etc.)
Profitability
Leverage
Efficiency (Asset Use)
Liquidity
Conclusion
Q1b. What information would you need to appraise its business risk and financial risk? Do so to the extent possible.
Financial risk
Business risk
Q2a.
Calculate EFN in G41 and H41, and explain the meaning of Apex's external financing needed (EFN)?
Hint: is EFN positive or negative? What does it mean?
Q2b.
Can Apex repay the loan, and is the loan within Apex's debt capacity?
Debt capacity has been calculated for you in Q6 and copied here for your convenience so you can answer this question.
Debt capacity calculation Bust Boom Indifference
EBIT 10,000 20,000 0.0
Interest coverage ratio per rating 3.4 3.4 0.0
Available for interest 2,941 5,882 ERROR:#DIV/0!
Interest rate 7.6% 7.6% 0.0
Debt capacity 38,811 77,622 ERROR:#DIV/0!
Existing debt 100,475 100,475 0.0
Excess debt capacity: -61,664 -22,853 ERROR:#DIV/0!
PEER DATA
DATA ON PEER COMPANIES (COMPARABLES)
Number of
Percent Sales Price/ Market Shares Last Annual
from Ca
on Fiber Earnings Book Book Value Price Outstanding Dividend
Name Production Ratio Beta Debt/Equity per Share per Share (millions) per Share
Peer A 20% 9.0 1.10 0.23 1.24 1.37 9.3 1.82
Peer B 95% NMF 1.50 1.72 1.46 6.39 177.2 0.15
Peer C 90% 18.2 1.70 1.33 7.06 27.48 8.9 none
Peer D 30% 34.6 1.20 0.00 17.75 75.22 48.3 none
Peer E 45% NMF 1.50 0.42 6.95 22.19 371.2 1.57
Note: NMF means not a meaningful figure. This arises when a company's earnings or projected earnings are negative.
Q3 K-WACC
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE