Abstract
This paper addresses the impact of rising health care costs and higher fuel costs on Ford Motor Co.'s financial problems. However, there are other major reasons why the company has faced a decade of declining sales for the past 11 years. According to the paper, these reasons include decreased consumer demand, safety problems with vehicles especially the popular SUV, and lack of pizzaz in design of new vehicles making people excited about the brand.

From the Paper
"Ford Motor Co. could have seen internal problems from its heavy burocracy back in 1995 when its ROI was 7.5 percent, not great at a time when stockholders were getting well over 10 percent return on their portfolios. From 1995 - 1999, the economy was booming. The stock market was having records broken. Gas prices were low. However, the company had internal problems. Overcapacity and the proliferation of new products keep purchase prices low. In the US and Europe, vehicle prices and declined in real terms. The average return for US auto companies has been less than two percent for the past ten years."

Tags:ford, investment, financial problems

Abstract
This paper looks at the history of the company "Merrill Lynch & Co.Inc," how it has fared through years of acquisitions and investments, how it is structured and their policy for long-term strategy and focus. It examines the direction the company must now take in order to weather current market conditions.

From the Paper
"The key strength of Merrill Lynch is their long-term strategy and focus. Merrill Lynch delivers its clients appreciation in the value of their investments through growth, both in common stock price and cash dividends. The market may experience short-term fluctuations, or one particular sector may experience a downturn. However, The strategy of Merrill Lynch is for long-term growth. Therefore, although portfolio prices may be lower for a short period of time, over time they will recover and gain."

Tags:economy, depression, stock, market, portfolio, of, investments

Abstract
The paper presents a table that reveals the financial characteristics of the four investment opportunities for Galaxy Satellite Co. and then assesses these opportunities through the lenses of the net present value and the internal rate of return. The paper finds that in terms of the net present value, the most desirable investment alternative is project D, whilst based on the internal rate of return, the most profitable course of action is project B. The paper looks at the goals Galaxy Satellite Co. is striving to achieve with the new investment, and reaches the conclusion that investment project B is the most desirable course of action.

Outline:
Introducing the Situation
Net Present Value
Internal Rate of Return

From the Paper
"The internal rate of return is used by economists and investors to identify the expected financial outcome of a given project. It is generally accepted that the final value of the internal return will vary from the initial calculations, but it is still relevant as the proportions in modifications will tend to remain relatively constant. The internal rate of return can be perceived similarly to the growth rate a project is expected to return and given this situation, the project with the highest IRR will be the one to be selected by the organization (Investopedia, 2009).
"Internal rates of return for the four alternative investment projects are: project A - 21%, project B - 25%, project C - 24% and project D - 23%. Based on this measured rates, the most desirable course of action for Galaxy Satellite Co. is investment project B, with the highest IRR of 25%.
"The manager at Galaxy Satellite Co. is placed in the difficult position in which he has to choose between two investment projects that have tested superior values using two different decision making tools. In terms of the net present value, the most desirable investment alternative is constituted by project D, whilst based on the internal rate of return, the most profitable course of action is set by project B."

Tags:net, present, value, internal, rate, of, return, capital, budget

Abstract
In a recent Business Week article on September 20, 2001, Pepsi Co Inc. created a line of young men's and women's apparel, footwear, and accessories that would serve not as a crude brand billboard but rather reflect the lifestyles of Pepsi and Mountain Dew drinkers. Why would Pepsi invest in such a venture even though the Pepsi icon might not be visible on these products? Do you think this marketing strategy is a trend or an effective long-term strategy?

From the Paper
" PepsiCo Inc. is best known for its soft drink Pepsi and Mountain dew and yet, over the years it has also created logo items, such as T-shirts, hats and duffel bags with the Pepsi globe design. These are part of its marketing strategy to promote the drinks in the minds of the people making the drink a part of the life of their life. But that sort of marketing has its limitations. These items can be taken to the beach but they are not a 'brand'. In today's lifestyle a brand name is what is needed to succeed. It is the brand name that grabs the attention of the consumer and retains their loyalty as price, quality etc. become associated with the name accordingly. So the logo accessories that were promoted by Pepsi may have been used but they did not create an awareness of Pepsi in any market other than that of soft drinks."

Tags:clothing

Abstract
This paper outlines the history of the Best Buy company as well as its current structure and market position. The paper examines the competitive factors and the company's financial performance, including its stock price, revenue and P/E ratio. The paper concludes that overall, as a long-term investment, Best Buy meets the criteria of a company with good growth potential and appreciation of the value of its stock.

Outline:
Summary
History
Current Structure and Market Position
Competitive Factors
Financials
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In a struggling retail environment, Best Buy Co, Inc. is still considered by most analysts to be a good investment choice. As of February 6, 2009, many analysts recommend buying the stock (Standard & Poor's) because it has a 12 month median target of $33.00 compared to the current price of $29.84, which projects an increase of over 10% per share (Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY). Yahoo! Finance). Several reasons exist for this recommendation. First, despite the downturn in the economy, Best Buy's earning power and free cash flow are strong (AOL Money & Finance) and the company has extremely strong brand recognition (Lomax). The company's recent changes in top management (Standard & Poor's) as well as the demise of Circuit City (Standard & Poor's, Barron's) and the company's cuts in expenses (Jacobs) makes the company's future promising. Currently, the stock's valuation is attractive, with a P/E ratio of approximately 11 (Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY). Yahoo! Finance)."

Tags:stock, price, revenue, cash, debt, P/E, ratio, consumer, spending, competition

Abstract
The writer of this paper details the numerous accomplishments of Charles Merrill, co-founder of the Wall Street brokerage firm Merrill-Lynch. This paper analyzes Merrill's leadership style and vision as the first stockbroker who made it possible for average, individual investors to enter the U.S. stock market, a venue previously available to only rich investors and corporations. The writer contends and explains how Merrill reached out beyond the typical investor, to those not familiar with Wall Street, which resulted in not only attracting new investors, but retaining them as well. This paper also delves into the reasons Merrill is still a leader on Wall Street.

From the Paper
"Charles Merrill was a revolutionary, who changed the way an entire industry did business. Charles Merrill has an overall vision, a revolutionary one at that, of democratizing Wall Street for the average American investor. This, however, was not just a vague, overall vision, but instead a logical, detailed, and methodical plan to actually make it happen. Perhaps from his own humble origins, and perhaps from having "been there" himself, and risen to the investor class from nowhere, Charles Merrill was thus able to enter into the mindset of the average, American would-be Wall Street investor. From that perspective, then, Merrill was able to sell such a person on the idea of stock market investing."

Tags:investement, stock, market, finance, wall, street, broker, brokerage, applied, practice

Abstract
This paper states that it appears collusion in the deception at the highest levels is part of the factors that allowed Enron to create shell companies while making real personal wealth for its top executives and others. The author points out that two LJM partnerships, LJM and LJM2 Co-Investment LP, were meant to provide Enron with an earnings stream from sale of its assets as well as protection for a decline in value of any of Enron's investments. The paper stresses that Enron is not by any means the first American business scandal; in the 19th century, lawmakers helped themselves by voting federal subsidies for railroad construction concerning the Union Pacific Railroad and got away with $23 million.

Table of Contents
The Stakeholders
Friends in High Places
Writing the Rules for the "Shell Game"
The Partnerships Themselves
The Solution

From the Paper
"It was not only banks, however, and not only Merrill Lynch, that was asked to participate in what appears to be Fastow's scheme. In addition, the Dallas Morning News reported that "several Wall Street firms said Enron Corp. used the lure of future business to get them to invest in a partnership that led the company into America's largest bankruptcy" (Landers, 2002). Enron former Treasurer, Jeff McMahon, had told Enron's attorneys that several banks asked him to confirm that the LJM investments would give them an inside track on Enron business, a fact which, in itself, suggests that they really didn't care if the businesses they were "investing in" were real, as long as their investment gave them future access to Enron business for their banks. Later, McMahon noted that the promises the banks claimed they had received had not been fulfilled in at least one instance."

Tags:republican, democrates, railroad, sarbanes-oxley, shell

Abstract
This paper explains that, since its founding in 1871, JP Morgan's success has been based on not only its business expertise but also its principles as demonstrated in its history. Next, the author evaluates JP Morgan's ethical behavior as compared to the many competitors to its six major banking sectors, where there is an intense battle for customers. The paper concludes that this industry has had many and various ethical issues; however, except for a minor association in the Enron scandal, JP Morgan has been able to manage well its employees' ethical behavior.

Table of Contents:
Mission
History and Organizational Structure
Competition
Ethical Position

From the Paper
"When the Banking Act of 1933 forced a separation of commercial banking and investment banking, JP Morgan carried on as a commercial bank, spinning off its investment bank. The first of many major mergers came when Morgan and Guaranty Trust merged in 1959. The banking industry was by law decentralized, but this led to major banking firms buying smaller banks. They operated them separately at first, but as laws fell, commercial banking empires began to emerge. Then came an intense round of mergers and acquisitions that laid the framework for the modern structure of the American banking industry."

Tags:acquisition integrity governance trust, matrix structure

Abstract
This paper explains that Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC) is the flag-ship national oil company of India, which sells cooking gas, petrol and diesel through retail stations and aviation fuel, and includes a subsidiary, IBP Co. Ltd., as a stand-alone marketing company with a nationwide network. The author points out problems with the investment ratios; earnings per share (EPS) and dividend per share (DPS) have dropped during 2004 and 2005 because of the reduction in profits during these years. The paper concludes that some of the risk factors, which will significantly influence IOC's ability to sustain its strong profitability and financial position in the future, are its huge borrowings from various banks and fluctuating fuel prices; however, the author recommends investment in the company because it has the potential to grow and the present financial downstream is mainly due to some situations, which are now under recoveries, and other specific bank borrowings. Many charts. Illustrations. Attractive presentation.

Table of Contents
Aim and Objective
Review Highlights
Company Profile
Financial Overview
Financial Performance
Key Financial Indicators (Ratio Analysis)
Profitability
Liquidity
Current Ratio and Quick Ratio
D/E
Interest Coverage Ratio
Efficiency
Receivable Collection Period
Payable Period
Stock Turnover Period
Operating Cycle
Rate of Return Ratios
Return on Total Assets (ROTA)
Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
Return on Fixed Assets (ROFA)
Return on Working Capital (ROWC
Investment ratios
Earnings per Share (EPS) and Dividend per Share (DPS)
Dividend Yield
Dividend Payout Percentage
Price / Earnings Ratio (P/E Ratio)
Cash Flow Analysis
Critical Review of Key Accounting Policies
Foreign Currency and Derivative Transactions
Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Provision on Capital Account
Goodwill Amortization
Review of Financial Reporting Standards
Information Accompanying Financial Statements
Operating Performance Review
Marketing
Proactively Addressing Environmental Issues
Corporate Governance
Inter-Industry Comparison
Leverage
Profitability
Rate of Return
Efficiency Ratios
Investment Ratios
Market Perception and Future Outlook
Outlook for IOC
Conclusion
Index

From the Paper
"IOC's consolidated audited financials as at 31.03.2005 was audited by a group of certified auditors from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, India, which is in accordance with Accounting Standard (AS-21) and the financial statements of joint ventures have been combined by applying proportionate consolidation method in accordance with Accounting Standard (AS-27) on "Financial Reporting of Interests in Joint Ventures" issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India."

Tags:retail, fuel, recommendation, ratios, downturn

Abstract
Beginning in the mid- to late-1990s, merger and acquisition (M and A) deals dominated the bank investment products and related businesses. Such mergers were seen as having the capacity to create financial services conglomerates offering everything from checking accounts to pension fund management. One proposed merger is that between Fleet Bank (now Fleet Boston Corp) and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. The paper considers this merger, offering an overview of the industry in which the firms are situated, company backgrounds and management, potential acquisition pricing and financing, benefits of the acquisition and post-merger operating strategies.

From the Paper
"D'Alessandro (1997) predicted some three years ago that life insurance companies would find themselves in the position of needing affiliations with other financial service providers in order to remain competitive in the new financial services sector. It is for these reasons that consolidation in the banking sector as well as mergers and acquisitions across the broad scale of the financial services/investment sectors have become characteristic of the industry environment today."

Tags:life, insurance, Quick, and, Reilly, stock