Corporate Finance: Investment Appraisal Techniques and Cash Flow Analysis

This report discusses the importance of corporate finance in increasing shareholder value and effective allocation of financial resources. It focuses on the case of AGT Plc and analyzes the cash flow forecast of Wonderpump, assesses the proposed investment using capital budgeting tools, and critically evaluates investment appraisal techniques. The report also includes a sensitivity analysis and discusses the merits of debt and equity financing.

Corporate Finance

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1. Preparing a cash flow forecast of Wonderpump......................................................................3
2. Assessing the proposed investment by using the capital budgeting tools...............................5
3. Critically evaluate the investment appraisal techniques..........................................................6
4...................................................................................................................................................8
a. Performing a sensitivity analysis or calculation......................................................................8
b. Giving comment on Gunther...................................................................................................9
5. Reassessing the Wonderpump investment.............................................................................10
6.................................................................................................................................................12
A. Merits of debt and equity financing......................................................................................12
b. Assessing the impact of discount rate on AGT’s structure..................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Corporate finance lays more emphasis on increasing value of firm to the shareholders.
This field of finance makes more focus on effective allocation of the financial resources which
aid the growth and success of firm. Besides this, corporate finance also focuses on the
developing highly suitable financial structure that makes contribution in the attainment of
organizational goals and objectives. The present report is based on the case situation of AGT Plc
which is a large sized chemical and engineering business organization. Further, it is also listed on
the recognized stock exchange of London. Hence, the present report will shed light cash position
of the firm. Besides this, it will also provide deeper insight about the extent to which investment
appraisal tools and sensitivity analysis assists in making suitable decision.
1. Preparing a cash flow forecast of Wonderpump
Cash flow statement furnishes information regarding the revenue generated by the firm
during the specified time frame. Besides this, it also provides deeper insight regarding the
amount invested by the firm for performing the business activities and functions (Damodaran,
2016). This in turn provides information to the business unit about net cash flow position or
aspects and thereby assists in making suitable decision.
Cash flow of AGT Plc from 2012 to 2021 are enumerated below:
PARTICULAR 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
VOLUME
(UNITS) 200 300 500 600 500 400 250 150
SALES PRICE
12,0
00
12,0
00
8,00
0 8000 8000 8000 8000 8000
SALES
2
,400,
000
3
,600,
000
4
,000,
000
4
,800,
000
4
,000,
000
3
,200,
000
2
,000,
000
1
,200,
000
COST OF
SALE
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
TOTAL COST
OF SALE
-
1,00
0,00
0
-
1,50
0,00
0
-
2,50
0,00
0
-
3,00
0,00
0
-
2,50
0,00
0
-
2,00
0,00
0
-
1,25
0,00
0
-
750,
000

SUB TOTAL
1
,400,
000
2
,100,
000
1
,500,
000
1
,800,
000
1
,500,
000
1
,200,
000
750,
000
450,
000
SALES
REPRESNTATI
VE
-
250,
000
-
250,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
-
150,
000
-
150,
000
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
TOTAL(B)
1
,000,
000
1
,700,
000
1
,350,
000
1
,650,
000
1
,350,
000
1
,050,
000
600,
000
300,
000
TAX
-
300,
000
-
510,
000
-
405,
000
-
495,
000
-
405,
000
-
315,
000
-
180,
000
-
90,0
00
TOTAL
OPERATING
CASH FLOW
1
,000,
000
1
,400,
000
840,
000
1
,245,
000
855,
000
645,
000
285,
000
120,
000
-
90,0
00
INVESTMENT
CASH
INFLOW(CAP
EX)
-
800,0
00
INVENTORIES
(FG)
-
50,00
0
50,0
00
INVENTROIES
RAW
MATERIALS
-
300,0
00
-
450,
000
-
750,
000
-
900,
000
-
750,
000
-
600,
000
-
375,
000
-
225,
000
change
-
300,0
00
-
150,
000
-
300,
000
-
150,
000
150,
000
150,
000
225,
000
150,
000
225,
000
TRADE
RECEIVEABL
ES
-
394,5
21
-
591,
781
-
657,
534
-
789,
041
-
657,
534
-
526,
027
-
328,
767
-
197,
260
CHANGE
-
394,5
21
-
197,
260
-
65,7
53
-
131,
507
131,
507
131,
507
197,
260
131,
507
197,
260
TRADE
PAYABLES
49,31
5
73,9
73
123,
288
147,
945
123,
288
98,6
30
61,6
44
36,9
86
CHANGE
49,31
5
24,6
58
49,3
15
24,6
58
-
24,6
58
-
24,6
58
-
36,9
86
-
24,6
58
-
36,9
86
NET CASH
FLOWS
-
1,495,
205
677,
397
1
,083,
562
583,
151
1
,501,
849
1
,111,
849
1
,030,
274
541,
849
555,
274
-
90,0
00

From the above cash flow statement it has been assessed that during the period of 10
years cash flow of Gunther’s Wonderpump is showing fluctuating trend. In 2014, 2016, 2017
and 2018 cash position of the business unit is good which is related to such new product.
However, in other years monetary aspect of the firm will not good. Moreover, in the year of 2019
and 2012 cash flow will be £541846 and £555274 which is highly lower as compared to the
before years. Hence, by considering such aspect it can be said that business organization is
required to exert control on spending level. Thus, reduction in the expenditure aspect may result
into to high improvement in the cash flow aspects.
Assumption: It is assumed that 12% cost of capital has been taken into consideration to assess
NPV.
2. Assessing the proposed investment by using the capital budgeting tools
Calculation of payback period
PAYBACK
PERIOD 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Years 2012 2013 2014
201
5 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Net cash
flows
-
1,495,20
5
677,39
7
1,08
3,56
2
583
,15
1
1,50
1,84
9
1,11
1,84
9
1,03
0,27
4
541,
849
555,
274
-
90,00
0
Cumulative
cash inflows
-
1,495,20
5
-
817,80
8
265,
753
848
,90
4
2,35
0,75
3
3,46
2,60
3
4,49
2,87
7
5,03
4,72
6
5,59
0,00
0
1 year
0.75
Payback
period 1.75
Computation of NP, ARR and IRR
Year Cash inflow PV factor @ 12% Discounted cash
inflow
2012 -1495205 1 -1495205
2013 677397 .893 604819.98
2014 1083562 .797 863808.71

2015 583151 .712 415075.14
2016 1501849 .636 954452.39
2017 1111849 .567 630893.16
2018 1030274 .507 521968.86
2019 541849 .452 245105.11
2020 555274 .404 224265.84
2021 -90000 .361 -32454.90
Total discounted cash
inflow
4427933.29
Less: initial
investment
1495205
NPV (Total
discounted cash
inflow – initial
investment)
2932728
Internal rate of
return
57%
Average profit 1495205
Average rate of
return
43%
From the investment appraisal analysis, it has been identified that AGT Plc will take 1
year and 8 months to recover the initial amount. Besides this, ARR and IRR of Gunther is 43%
and 57% which is higher than the average industry level. Further, NPV of the proposed
investment is positive and greater than the initial investment such as £2932728. Hence, by
keeping all such factors in mind it can be said that AGT plc should invest money in such project
which will prove to be more beneficial for it (Shen, Firth and Poon, 2016).
3. Critically evaluate the investment appraisal techniques
Payback period
This method provides information about the time frame within which business
organization would become able to recoup the initial investment. In this way, by calculating the

payback period company can assess the period after which it would become able to generate
enough amount of profit margin (Wilson, 2016). However, on the critical note, it can be said that
it does not provide managers with highly appropriate information for decision making. The
rationale behind this, it completely ignores the time value of money concept which have high
level of importance in the strategic business environment.
Average rate of return (ARR)
ARR renders information about the average profit which business entity will generate
from Gunther Wonder pipes product. On the other side, it can be said that outcome of evaluation
is highly based on the profit level rather than cash flows. This is one of the main drawbacks of
such method because cash flows can be forecasted easily in comparison to the profit aspect
(Jacob and et.al., 2016). Further, it also avoids time value of money concept because discounting
factors or rates can be applied on the cash flows not on profit.
Internal rate of return (IRR)
Such discounting investment appraisal tool renders information about the return which
will be earned by AGT Plc from the proposed investment in terms of percentage. However, in
this, analyst has to take two discounting factors which are highly difficult and time consuming
(Greene, 2015). This in turn closely influences the significance such method and its outcome.
Net present value (NPV)
This method of investment appraisal helps in making analysis of the extent to which
proposed project will prove to be profitable for the firm in monetary terms. Besides this,
according to such method viability of Gunther is assessed by taking into consideration the 12%
cost of capital. Hence, time value of money concept provides assistance in making suitable
decision in the dynamic business arena (Dang, Kim and Shin, 2015). However, it is to be
critically evaluated that if owner of AGT Plc failed to assess suitable cost of capital then it may
result into unrealistic evaluation for the judgment.
Hence, by keeping all such aspects in mind it can be said that discounting methods assist
in making highly appropriate and profitable decisions.

4.
a. Performing a sensitivity analysis or calculation
PARTICULAR 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
VOLUME
(UNITS) 200 300 500 600 500 400 250 150
SALES PRICE
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
SALES
1
,000,
000
1
,500,
000
2
,500,
000
3
,000,
000
2
,500,
000
2
,000,
000
1
,250,
000
750,
000
COST OF
SALE
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
5,00
0
TOTAL COST
OF SALE
-
1,00
0,00
0
-
1,50
0,00
0
-
2,50
0,00
0
-
3,00
0,00
0
-
2,50
0,00
0
-
2,00
0,00
0
-
1,25
0,00
0
-
750,
000
SUB TOTAL - - - - - - - -
SALES
REPRESNTAT
IVE
-
250,
000
-
250,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
-
100,
000
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
-
150,
000
-
150,
000
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
-
50,0
00
TOTAL(B)
-
400,
000
-
400,
000
-
150,
000
-
150,
000
-
150,
000
-
150,
000
-
150,
000
-
150,
000
TAX
120,
000
120,
000
45,0
00
45,0
00
45,0
00
45,0
00
45,0
00
45,0
00
TOTAL
OPERATING
CASH FLOW
-
400,
000
-
280,
000
-
30,0
00
-
105,
000
-
105,
000
-
105,
000
-
105,
000
-
105,
000
45,0
00
INVESTMENT
CASH
INFLOW(CAP
EX)
-
800,0
00
INVENTORIE
S(FG)
-
50,00
0
50,0
00

INVENTROIE
S RAW
MATERIALS
-
300,0
00
-
450,
000
-
750,
000
-
900,
000
-
750,
000
-
600,
000
-
375,
000
-
225,
000
change
-
300,0
00
-
150,
000
-
300,
000
-
150,
000
150,
000
150,
000
225,
000
150,
000
225,
000
TRADE
RECEIVEABL
ES
-
164,3
84
-
246,
575
-
410,
959
-
493,
151
-
410,
959
-
328,
767
-
205,
479
-
123,
288
CHANGE
-
164,3
84
-
82,1
92
-
164,
384
-
82,1
92
82,1
92
82,1
92
123,
288
82,1
92
123,
288
TRADE
PAYABLES
49,31
5
73,9
73
123,
288
147,
945
123,
288
98,6
30
61,6
44
36,9
86
CHANGE
49,31
5
24,6
58
49,3
15
24,6
58
-
24,6
58
-
24,6
58
-
36,9
86
-
24,6
58
-
36,9
86
NET CASH
FLOWS
-
1,265
,068
-
607,
534
-
695,
068
-
237,
534
102,
534
102,
534
206,
301
102,
534
256,
301
45,0
00
By doing sensitivity analysis, it has been assessed that volume of units sold during the
specified time frame has high level of impact on the sales revenue and cash inflow (Coles,
Lemmon and Meschke, 2012). The above mentioned table clearly presents the fluctuating trend
in the sales revenue and cash inflow due to the difference takes place in the number of unit
offered or provided to the customers (Faff, Gray and Tan, 2016). In this way, it is the major
factors which have high level of impact on the overall cash position of AGT plc.
b. Giving comment on Gunther
Particulars 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Volume
(units) 100 150 150 150 150 150 150 150
Sales price
12,00
0
12,00
0 8,000 8000 8000 8000 8000 8000
Sales
1,
200,0
00
1,
800,0
00
1,
200,0
00
1,
200,0
00
1,
200,0
00
1,
200,0
00
1,
200,0
00
1,
200,0
00
Cost of sale 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000
Total cost of
sale
-
500,0
-
750,0
-
750,0
-
750,0
-
750,0
-
750,0
-
750,0
-
750,0

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Sub total
700,0
00
1,
050,0
00
450,0
00
450,0
00
450,0
00
450,0
00
450,0
00
450,0
00
Sales
representati
ve
-
250,0
00
-
250,0
00
-
100,0
00
-
100,0
00
-
100,0
00
-
100,0
00
-
100,0
00
-
100,0
00
Technical
support
-
150,0
00
-
150,0
00
-
50,00
0
-
50,00
0
-
50,00
0
-
50,00
0
-
50,00
0
-
50,00
0
Total(b)
300,0
00
650,0
00
300,0
00
300,0
00
300,0
00
300,0
00
300,0
00
300,0
00
Tax
-
90,00
0
-
195,0
00
-
90,00
0
-
90,00
0
-
90,00
0
-
90,00
0
-
90,00
0
-
90,00
0
Total
operating
cash flow
300,0
00
560,0
00
105,0
00
210,0
00
210,0
00
210,0
00
210,0
00
210,0
00
-
90,00
0
Investment
cash
inflow(cape
x)
-
800,0
00
Inventories(
fg)
-
50,00
0
50,00
0
Inventories
raw
materials
-
150,0
00
-
225,0
00
-
225,0
00
-
225,0
00
-
225,0
00
-
225,0
00
-
225,0
00
-
225,0
00
Change
-
150,0
00
-
75,00
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
225,0
00
Trade
receivables
-
197,2
60
-
295,8
90
-
197,2
60
-
197,2
60
-
197,2
60
-
197,2
60
-
197,2
60
-
197,2
60
Change
-
197,2
60
-
98,63
0
98,63
0 - - - - -
197,2
60
Trade
payables
24,65
8
36,98
6
36,98
6
36,98
6
36,98
6
36,98
6
36,98
6
36,98
6
Change
24,65
8
12,32
9 - - - - - -
-
36,98
6
Net cash
flows
-
1,172, 138,6 658,6 105,0 210,0 210,0 210,0 210,0 645,2
-
90,00

603 99 30 00 00 00 00 00 74 0
5. Reassessing the Wonderpump investment
Best Pump
Beta 1.20
Debt 1.03 300.00 309.00
Equity 5.00 200.00 1000.00
Tax 0.30
Working 1.22
Beta (ungeared) 0.99
AGT
CAPM
Risk free rate
0.0
6
Marking return
0.1
2
Marking premium
0.0
6
New cost of capital would be 11.92%
0.00
1.0
0 2.00
3.0
0 4.00 5.00 6.00
7.0
0
8.0
0 9.00
Net cash inflow
-
1,495,
205
677
,39
7
1,08
3,56
2
583
,15
1
1,50
1,84
9
1,11
1,84
9
1,03
0,27
4
541
,84
9
555
,27
4
-
90,00
0
Discount factors 1.00
0.8
93
0.79
8
0.7
13
0.63
7
0.56
9
0.50
9
0.4
55
0.4
06 0.363
Discounted cash inflows
-
14952
05.48
605
,25
4
865,
050
415
,97
0
957,
198
633,
163
524,
223
246
,34
0
225
,55
8
-
32,66
5
NPV (Total discounted
cash inflow – initial
investment)
2,932,
728
Assumptions: It has been assessed that new beta is 11.2% which have little impact on NPV.

From the above analysis it has been assessed that there is no significant difference takes
place in the NPV when cost of capital reduced from 12% to 11.2%. Hence, by considering such
aspect it can be said business organization will earn positive return of £2932728 over the initial
investment. On the basis of such aspect AGT Plc will achieve success by making selection of the
investment proposal in relation to Wonder pipes (Brealey and et.al., 2012). Further, such method
offers solution by considering the time value of money concept. In this way, such proposed
investment will offer high level of benefits to the company in terms of financials.
6.
A. Merits of debt and equity financing
Both debt and equity financing is highly required for developing highly effective as well
as balanced financial structure. There are several advantages which are associated with the debt
and equity financing are as follows:
Benefits of debt financing
 In this, amount which is paid by the firm in terms of interest is tax deductible. In this,
source of finance helps in getting benefits in terms of tax brackets (Coles, Lemmon and
Meschke, 2012).
 Further, debt financing reduces the control of debt holders in the decision making aspect
because it does not offer ownership to them (Advantages and disadvantages of debt
financing, 2016).
Merits of equity financing
 One of the main benefits which are offered by equity financing is that AGT plc is not
obliged to repay such amount after the specified time frame (Huang and Kisgen, 2013).
 Besides this, it also reduces the financial burden of the firm to the large extent. Moreover,
company offers dividend to the shareholders only when it generates enough amount of
profit margin (Advantages and disadvantages of equity financing, 2016).
 Firm with the lower credit rating can raise finance through equity more easily as
compared to other methods.

b. Assessing the impact of discount rate on AGT’s structure
Discount rate has high level of impact on AGT’s capital structure to the large extent.
WACC refers to the percentage according to which each category of capital is proportionately
weighted (Blair and Roe, 2010). The reason behind this, common and preferred stock, bonds as
well as other long term debt is the main sources of capital. Hence, WACC of AGT will increase
according to the growth or incline takes place in the beta and rate of return (Baker and Martin,
2011). In this, risk and return are the major factors which have high level of influence on
WACC. However, increasing WACC may result into the higher risk and decrease in the
valuation aspects.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that cash flow Gunther is not showing
inkling trend in the upcoming time period. Hence, AGT Plc needs to frame competent strategic
and policy framework which may result into high control on the cash aspect. Further, it has been
articulated that AGT plc should go with the proposed investment of Gunther Wonderpipes. Such
investment proposal will make remarkable contribution in the growth and development aspect of
firm. Besides this, it can be seen in the report that NPV method helps in making suitable
investment decision to the great extent. It can be revealed from the report that sensitivity analysis
assists in identifying the extent to which one variable place high level of impact on another and
thereby helps in framing suitable strategies.

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Brealey, R. A. and et.al., 2012. Principles of corporate finance. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
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corporate finance: The link between managerial ownership and corporate
performance. Journal of Financial Economics. 103(1). pp.149-168.
Coles, J.L., Lemmon, M.L. and Meschke, J.F., 2012. Structural models and endogeneity in
corporate finance: The link between managerial ownership and corporate performance.
Journal of Financial Economics. 103(1). pp.149-168.
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