Assignment title: Information
FINM4000
Finance
Trimester 2, 2016
Assessment 2 Instructions
Assessment 2 consists of 2 parts and is 30% of the unit grade.
1. Assessment 2 is to be completed in groups, consisting of four members.
Collaborating with the team members and managing this assignment as a project
with specific learning outcomes will be beneficial.
2. Group Written Assignment is 15% (Due Sunday, Week 10, September 25th
2016 by 11 pm AEST) Please submit the Assignment Electronically. If you
are using EXCEL for computations submit this file separately.
3. Please submit written answers and final numbers through "Written Report" link
and submit ONE excel spreadsheet you used in calculating answers through
"Excel File for Report" link (you can use multiple sheets in your one file). Both of
these sections will be marked.
4.
It is due 11 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) if you are in
Adelaide you need to make sure you submit at the right time. I.e. in
Adelaide it is due 1030 pm.
The written part of your assignment will be put through Turnitin and any
plagiarism will be traced and penalised.
5. Group Presentation is 15% (Due in Week 11)
This document contains:
1. Part 1: Group Written Assignment Questions and Instructions
2. Part 2: Group Presentation Question and Instructions
3. Commonly asked questions about Assignment Part 1 and 2
4. Template for recording group meetings
5. Group written assignment marking rubricPart 1: Group Written Assignment
Task Description
Length: 2500 words
Due: Sunday, September 25th 1100 pm AEST
How to submit: Under "Assessments" tab on the FINM4000 portal homepage.
Please submit the Assignment electronically on the portal. Upload EXCEL
spreadsheets that you used for computations as a separate file.
As part of this assessment you are required to conduct your own research of market
and financial data online.
1. Evidence of Group Work [10 marks]
Please see template for group meeting. Each group must provide 3 brief records of group
meetings as part of the assignment. These briefly list who was present at meetings as well
as tasks and contributions.
Completing this table
Please note that all group members need to contribute equally to the task.
If a group member does not contribute to the task, the group's meeting minutes can
be used as evidence to demonstrate this. The student's mark can be reduced by the
lecturer if they consider that there is sufficient evidence that they did not contribute.
2. Company Perspective [ 90 marks]
Consider the sources below, access other relevant resources and answer the following
questions.
RESOURCES
http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-full-year-result-
2016/
https://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/investors/2015AnnualReport.pdf
http://investor.qantas.com/FormBuilder/_Resource/_module/doLLG5ufYkCyEPjF1tpg
yw/file/full-year-results/investorPresentation16.pdf
http://investor.qantas.com/FormBuilder/_Resource/_module/doLLG5ufYkCyEPjF1tpg
yw/file/full-year-results/preliminaryFinalReport16.pdf
http://www.iata.org/publications/economics/fuel-monitor/Pages/price-analysis.aspxThe following chart shows how Qantas has turned around the earnings before
interest and tax (EBIT) of its 3 big divisions: Domestic, International and Jetstar over
the past 18 months
This following chart shows where Qantas spends its revenues and how the falling oil
price has translated into big savingsQantas share prices vs Brent oil price
Qantas share price movements Sept 2015 – to date $ 3.35 closing, August 26, 2016A$ currency exchange rates 2015 - 2016
Qantas ends seven-year dividend drought
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/qantas-ends-seven-dividend-drought-040317146.html
Qantas will pay a dividend to its long-suffering shareholders for the first time in seven years
after the airline's full-year profit rose by 85 per cent to $1.03 billion, underpinned by a major
operational overhaul and low oil prices.
Chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline was now "a more agile business" and had a
platform to invest for the future as a result of the transformation program that has cut
thousands of jobs, revised the airline's fleet and unlocked $1.66 billion in cost and revenue
benefits since early 2014.
"Our transformation program is paying dividends for our shareholders, our customers and our
employees," Mr Joyce said on Wednesday.
After a turbulent few years and a capacity war with Virgin Australia and cashed-up international
carriers, Qantas has declared a fully franked final dividend of seven cents a share, its first
since 2009.
The dividend, costing $134 million, will be part of a $500 million capital return announced on
Wednesday, with the remaining $366 million committed to an on-market share buyback.
Qantas will also give its 25,000 employees - who have been subject to a wage freeze under
the transformation program - a cash bonus of up to $3,000 each.
Qantas's underlying pre-tax profit jumped 57 per cent to $1.53 billion, its best result in its 95-
year history.Around two-thirds of earnings came from its domestic operations and loyalty business, and
the rest from its international unit.
Domestic unit underlying earnings lifted 20 per cent to $578 million as cuts to flights limited
the impact of weaker demand at the end of the year, while Qantas Loyalty signed up 580,000
new members.
Improved margins and falling costs helped its budget carrier, Jetstar, increase earnings by 97
per cent to $452 million.
International earnings rose 92 per cent to $512 million, helped by cost cutting and revenue
growth as planes were added.
Qantas booked a gain of $664 million on the back of lower global fuel prices.
Mr Joyce expects the strong performance to continue in the first half of 2016/17 with total
capacity growth of two to three per cent, driven by strong international demand from China
and Japan. Domestic capacity is forecast to be flat or down one per cent.
Facing intense competition, particularly from Virgin Australia and Emirates, Qantas plans to
roll out wifi on some domestic services next year and is looking to live-stream cricket over
summer.
QANTAS PROFIT SOARS
* Net profit up 85pct to $1.03b
* Revenue up 2.4pct to $16.2b
* Final dividend of 7 cents, first in seven years
2016 Full Year Results were released on August 24, 2016.
Highlights
Record underlying profit before tax: $1.53 billion, up 57%
Record statutory profit before tax: $1.42 billion, up 80%
Record results for Qantas Domestic, Qantas International, Jetstar Group, Qantas
Loyalty
Near-doubling of earnings per share: 49c, up 24c
Return on invested capital: 23%, up 6.5 points
Operating cash flow: $2.8 billion, up 38%
Net free cash flow: $1.7 billion
$500m shareholder return: fully-franked 7c per share ordinary dividend and on market
share buy-back
Additional cash bonus totalling $75 million for 25,000 non-executive employees
Continued investment in aircraft cabins and wi-fiQuestions
After many years of substantial losses Qantas has returned profits in 2016. Maximising
shareholder wealth has been a strategic priority of the senior leadership of Qantas. Note that
Qantas share price was at its highest in 2007 ($ 6.40) and lowest in 2012 ($1.03) and is
currently trading at $ 3.35.
1. A) On Page 24 of the 2016 Preliminary Final Report shows a Return on Invested
Capital (ROIC) of 16.2% in FY15 and 22.7% for FY16 (calculations showing how these
figures have been derived is detailed in subsequent pages). What are the main
contributing factors to this improved operating result? Explain in detail (10
marks)
B) Using information available within the 2016 Preliminary Final Report consolidated
financial statements computing average debt-levels for 2016 and calculate the cost of
debt? Show all relevant calculations.( 5 marks)
C) Using information available within Qantas 2016 Preliminary Final Report consolidated
financial statements compute average equity-levels for 2016 and calculate the average
total equity. Using your knowledge of either the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
or alternative calculate beta and market risk premium, clearly stating any assumptions
you may make, and derive an appropriate cost of equity? (15 marks)
D) Drawing on your answers for (B) and (C) calculate the weighted average cost of
capital for 2016? ( 5 marks)
E) A financial-analyst friend working with Credit Suisse reviews Qantas results for 2016
and says, 'hypothetically, if one was to apply company tax of 30% on Qantas's ROIC
of 22.7% the ROIC reduces to 15.9%.' Using WACC calculation in (D) as the basis
explain whether 15.9% is an acceptable ROIC? As a student of finance, do you judge
as appropriate for Qantas to declare the fully-franked 7c per share ordinary dividend?
Should Qantas continue to buy back shares, pay dividends or follow an alternative
strategy? Give reasons and show relevant calculations to support your judgement.(10
marks)
2 A) Assume that Qantas is exploring raising $20m through the issue of corporate
bonds for financing the aircraft cabins and wi-fi. Qantas bonds, face value $1000,
a coupon rate of 5.5% paid semi-annually, and maturity period of 10 years. If yield
to maturity is 8% calculate the value of the bond? ( 5 marks)
B) Assuming all other factors remain the same what impact would the issue of
bonds in (A) have on the Weighted Average Cost of Capital calculated in 1 (D).
Show calculations and compute the new WACC. (5 marks)
Qantas's wishes to further develop their frequent flyer loyalty program by introducing a range
of leisure facilities to their members. It is considering investing in one of two projects,
developing a golf course on the Gold Coast or purchasing a Casino in Perth.Golf course on the Gold Coast requires
an initial investment now of $ 1.8m and further investments at the end of years
1, 3 and 5 of $ 1.2 m each.
In addition, it will also incur working capital expenses at the beginning of the
project of $0.4 m and recover these at the end of year 8.
The Golf course will generate cash inflows of $ 0.8 m starting the end of year
1, $1.6m each in years 2, 3 and 4 and $ 1.8m each through years 5 to 8.
At the end of year 8 the course will be sold for $ 0.6m.
Qantas is able to claim an annual depreciation of $0.15m from years 1 to 5 and
pays tax at 30%.
The Casino in Perth requires
one-off initial investment of $ 5m now
will generate cash inflows of $0.6m starting end of year 1, $1.8m each in years
2, 3 and 4 increasing to $ 2m every year for the next 4 years.
The Casino will be sold at the end of this for $ 0.4m;
Qantas will not qualify for any depreciation on this project and will pay tax at
30%.
(C) Calculate the Net Present Value for each of the two investment options
- using the weighted average cost of capital of 1 (D) and
- the new weighted average cost of capital of 2 (B)
(10 marks)
(D) Which of the two investments and the appropriate financing will you recommend for
Qantas? Clearly indicate reasons for your choice (13 marks)
3. On a night out with friends to a Casino in Canberra you won $ 50,000. You have
recently read an article on Qantas shares being one of the cheapest in the Airline
industry. On the 26th of August the shares closed at $ 3.35. Considering the risk and
return would you buy Qantas shares, buy their issue of bonds or return to the Casino
to gamble with the $50,000? Give reasons and show relevant calculations.(12 marks)
Part 2: Group Presentation
Task Description
Length: 15 minute presentation, 5-10 minutes questions.
Due: Week 11
Description:
Use no more than 10-12 slides; ensure the presentation is no more than 15 minutes.
You can refer back to your analysis and briefly explain how you achieved your
results.
All group members need to speak You will be assessed based on a rubric uploaded on the portal and how interesting
and engaging the presentation is
Layout
The presentation must not exceed 15 minutes
Groups must present the lecturer with a hand-out of the slides.
Slides need to be structured in a logical manner.
A reference list should be included at the end of your slides and any sources you
refer to in your analysis must also be referenced using in-text referencing. A
referencing guide can be found on the portal under "Academic Success Centre/
Library"
Assessment
Please see on the portal under assessments. You will be marked according to this
rubric.
Plagiarism or inadequate references will attract harsh penalties.
Commonly asked Questions
For the written assignment, what if I am above the word limit of 2500? How much can I
exceed the word limit?
This is OK to a point. You have a 500-word lee-way. However, this is only if the additional
words address the assessment task and are strictly necessary for your analysis.
Can our presentation be longer than 15 minutes?
No- the lecturer will stop you after 15 minutes.
Can our group have less or more than 4 students?
No. You need to stick to these parameters. If you cannot form a group of four you can speak
to your lecturer and he will either choose a group for you to be a member of or reach an
alternate arrangement.
Do I need to reference sources such as the textbook, other finance textbooks and
online sources?
Yes. Please use the referencing guide from the portal and uploaded under assessments and
include a reference list at the end of your written assignments and group presentations. Also
please use in-text referencing.
Do I need to reference the lecture slides or tutorials from this course?
No you do not.
What is plagiarism and what are the consequences?
If you copy or reproduce someone else's work without re-phrasing it or putting it in quotation
marks, this is plagiarism. Also if you rephrase some else's ideas and do not include an intext reference this is also plagiarism. You will be penalised for this. The assignment will be
put through Turnitin so any plagiarism will be identified by the software.
Are references part of the word count?
No.Will we be assessed on the quality of our group meeting records?
No- you just need to hand them up as part of both Part 1. They are designed to help you
organise your group- you will not be marked on these. Please make them very brief.
Does my written have to be in report form or do I just address each question?
No it does not have to be in essay or report form and you just need to address every
question directly with reference to theory, research or calculations depending on the
question.
Group Meeting record
Each Group please fill in the table for a minimum of three meetings and
paste into your written assignment
The notes can be brief
Meeting
Date
Group
Members
Present
Issues Discussed Tasks Completed and tasks
Allocated
A list of Group
Members who
attended
meeting:
A list of issues discussed: A brief list of tasks to be done
before next meeting and who is
going to do the tasks:1. Name Signature Date
2. Name Signature Date
3. Name Signature Date
4. Name Signature Date
Assessment Marking Rubric
Criteria HD (High
Distinction)
85%-100%
DN
(Distinction)
75%-84%
CR
(Credit)
74%-65%
P (Pass)
50%-64%
NN (Fail)
0%-49%
Score
Knowledge,
comprehension
and application
In addressing the
economic issues,
the assignment
clearly identifies,
defines and
critically applies
relevant theories
and concepts
sourced from
more than 3
quality sources.
Correct graphs
and charts are
applied and
correct analysis
is undertaken with
reference to the
graphs/charts.
In addressing
the economic
issues in the
case study, the
assignment 1
clearly
identifies,
defines and
applies relevant
theories and
concepts
sourced from
more than 3
quality sources.
Correct graphs
and charts are
used, but
minimal
explanations
are given with
reference to the
charts.
In
responding
to the
economic
issues in
the case
study, the
assignment
defines and
applies
relevant
theories and
concepts
sourced
from at least
3 sources.
In
responding
to the
economic
issues in the
case study,
the
assignment
identifies
and defines
relevant
theories and
concepts
with little
application
in response
to the case
questions.
At least 3
sources
used in
assignment
.
Key
concepts
not
identified or
defined.
No, or
unclear,
application
of concepts
to the case
study.
Less than 3
sources
used in
assignment
.Analysis,
evaluation and
judgment
Analysis and
evaluation
supported by
comprehensive
discussion and
argument and
leading to a
supported
judgment which
addresses the
case study
questions.
Student is able to
link analysis with
the data - making
informed judgment
by combining data
and theory in
coming up with
their conclusions.
Copious evidence
in the work of
critical reasoning
and synthesis.
Analysis and
evaluation
supported by
comprehensive
discussion and
argument and
leading to a
clear judgment
which
addresses the
case study
questions.
Copious
evidence in the
work of critical
reasoning.
Analysis
and
evaluation
supported
by broad
discussion
and
argument.
Much
evidence in
the work of
critical
reasoning.
Analysis
and
argument
supported in
part by
some
discussion
and
argument.
Some
evidence in
the work of
critical
reasoning.
Analysis
and
argument
not
apparent.
Lacks
argument
and
discussion.
Little or no
evidence in
the work of
critical
reasoning.
Conclusion and
written
assignment
Assignment
written in a
cohesive manner,
by addressing
questions directly
and
comprehensively.
Sound and
convincing
conclusions and
judgements drawn
from the
discussion.
Appropriate
citation and
references given
to support the
discussion to help
draw a sound
well-argued
conclusion.
Assignment
written within the
word limits.
Assignment
written in a
cohesive
manner, by
addressing
questions
directly.
Sound and
convincing
conclusions and
judgements
drawn from the
discussion.
Appropriate
citation and
references
given to support
the discussion
to help draw a
sound
conclusion.
Assignment
written within
the word limits.
Assignment
written in a
somewhat
cohesive
manner, by
somewhat
addressing
the
questions.
Sound
conclusion
drawn from
the
discussion.
Appropriate
citation and
references
given to
support the
discussion
to help draw
a
conclusion.
Assignment
written
within the
word limits.
Assignment
written with
structure but
reads
awkwardly.
Assignment
question
answers
draw a
conclusion
but not
necessarily
drawn from
the
discussion.
Some
missing
references
and
citations.
Assignment
written
exceeding
the word
limits.
Assignment
reads
piecemeal
with no
proper
structure
given.
No or
limited
conclusion
draw from
the
discussion.
Missing
references
and
citations.
No
attempts to
stick to the
word limits.
Comments:
Assignment Mark/Grade:
Total
score