Seize the competitive edge through intelligent, differentiated capital allocation The intelligent deployment of capital is one of the most effective ways to create long-term value. But despite this, there are very few capital allocation experts on the boards of the largest publicly traded companies, and academic research consistently finds that most firms deploy capital sub-optimally. Capital Allocation aims to educate senior leaders, board members, investors, students, and anyone interested in business on this important topic. Until now very little has been written on capital allocation outside of academia, even though the strategic deployment of excess capital is an increasingly significant source of competitive advantage for many companies. David Giroux, Chief Investment Officer for Equities and Multi-Asset and Head of Investment Strategy at T. Rowe Price, covers the entire gamut of capital allocation issues, including optimal capital structure, capital allocation alternatives, mergers & acquisitions, and special situations. Capital Allocation walks you through this critical topic from beginning to end, including: Stories of companies that allocated capital in ways that created significant shareholder value Several real-life decision-making models you can use for strategically allocating your firm’s capital Guidelines for generating high returns in the long term to build sustainable shareholder wealth Giroux uses academic research, personal experience, and uncomplicated mathematics to reveal approaches and actions that create long-term value. He provides case studies from Kodak, Comcast, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Danaher, General Electric, Microsoft, and others showing how capital allocation has―and hasn’t―worked in real-life situations. And he shows how to use capital allocation to head off possible activist investors. Capital Allocation offers everything you need to know for deploying capital wisely to outperform your competitors over the long term.

This book reviews and updates key principles for sound and smart capital allocation for successful results. In the text there are principles that motivate capital allocation, the appropriate attitudes, the existing realities in order to avoid falling into the mental traps and deceptions that can cause our mistake. There are also general guides on the various aspects to consider when conducting an analysis of a business, the state of financial systems, and finally, how to start the search for opportunities and define the principles of what to look for, to have success in this discipline.

This is the eBook version of the printed book. An objective framework for assessing management’s effectiveness in deploying capital to increase shareholder value. Shareholders’ lack of direct control over cash flow represents a blind spot in traditional cash flow-based valuation. Management might deploy a company’s free cash flow in many ways that don’t add shareholder value. Management controls the balance sheet, retaining discretion over assets and power to borrow against future cash flows. This document will help investors evaluate management’s critical role as capital allocator.

The growth of shareholder value has been a major change in Western economies since the 1980s. This growth has reignited debates concerning relations between investors and managers. This book argues that investors are more than passive providers of finance, on whose behalf managers seek to maximize shareholder returns. Instead, many investors directly influence management practice, through investor engagement. The book examines the role of institutional investors and private equityfirms, two types of investors with overlapping but different reasons for engagement. Questions addressed include: What are the incentives, and disincentives, for investment engagement? How is investor engagement organized? What areas of management practice are of particular concern to investors? Thediscussion shows in detail how private equity firms play a major role in developing new companies, beyond the provision of finance, especially in the IT, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors.The discussion is primarily based on British and US research. The debate has wider international relevance, because there are strong pressures for establishing shareholder value as the international 'norm' for systems of corporate governance. Following a detailed discussion of Germany, the authors conclude that there is no inevitable trend to shareholder value: shareholder value depends upon complementary institutional arrangements in national business systems, which are far from universal. Thebook concludes with a critical analysis of the justifications for shareholder value and investor engagement, highlighting the weaknesses of both efficiency and equity justifications.

The cost of capital is important in the financial management of every business. A measure of the cost of capital is required when evaluating various aspects of strategic business plans, e.g., selecting a financial leverage position, calculating the profitability of alternative investment opportunities, measuring economic value-added and comparing various merger and acquisition plans. The task of determining the appropriate cost of capital to use requires a careful analysis of the effect of alternative financing choices which are open to every business. This report considers the cost of capital of Royal Roots Company. Ways are examined to determine the cost of capital by Royal Roots Company. This book sequentially identifies: principles of cost of capital, the capital structure, the cost of debt, cost of equity, cost of preference shares and overall cost of capital (weighted average cost of capital).The cost of equity capital and debt determines the overall cost of capital of any company (public or private)

By adopting a practical, market-oriented approach to capital allocation, this book sheds light on the complex issue of cash flow deployment and the creation of shareholder value. In order to run a company efficiently, it is not sufficient to simply be a competent businessperson. One must also possess the skills of a knowledgeable investor. The management must determine where to invest capital given the diverse range of investment options available, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), dividends, share repurchase programs, and organic growth opportunities. This book provides a useful analytical framework for corporate executives to consider when allocating capital, along with empirical findings from peer group studies and company case studies. The book helps answer the following questions: · What are the primary factors that drive your company's shareholder value? Are they aligned with the strategy the company is pursuing? · What are the key dynamics and trade-offs between return on investments (ROIC), growth, and earnings quality? · What are the current market expectations embedded in the stock price? · Given the capital allocation priorities, what does an “optimal” capital structure look like? · How do you set, and in turn communicate, the capital allocation and funding priorities? Written by an expert with more than 25 years of experience, this book helps business executives improve their skills as capital allocators by better understanding the financial markets.