ØABED3700 Valuation - Equity Research Course description

The course covers advanced valuation techniques used for thorough modeling of a firm's value. The aim is to provide students with advanced knowledge and in-depth understanding of the concepts behind fundamental value, and the underlying assumptions to sensibly apply their existing theoretical understanding of valuation. The goal is no longer to calculate a price, but to build a model to understand how different assumptions or potential future events impact the value of the firm. The course will be relevant for students seeking a career in equity research, investment banking, management consulting, and larger corporations in Norway and internationally.

Language of instruction is English.

None

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• obtained an integrated understanding of fundamental drivers of value, and valuation techniques
• implemented and understood the use of this knowledge in practical settings

Skills

The student is

• able to apply the main valuation techniques to real companies, to form an informed opinion as to the fair value of a company
• able to take complex financial information and distill them into relevant information for the valuation process
• able to present the findings of their analysis verbally and in written and presentation of the fair value of a corporation or project towards their peers

General competence

The student

• has completed demanding case work and presentations as constructive members of a student group
• can resolve discrepancies and argue why they are good solutions to the problem

The students require a lot of practice to develop their analytical abilities. The subject matter is taught through ordinary lectures, guest lectures, group hand-ins and presentation, as well as discussions relating to case exercises.

The course is taught around 4 "blocks", where the first 3 hand-ins are steppingstones to the final report and presentation. Each student group has one case company throughout the course. Each block has the same structure of lectures/discussions, quiz, case work, presentation with feedback. This gives the students a piecemeal approach to the process of analyzing and valuing a publicly listed company.

The students will be given feedback on their Presentation, Writing and Typography skills in relation to their reports and presentations of their case company. The final report and presentation will partly be graded on how convincing, understandable, and well argued the report and presentation are. Succinctly arguing your findings is therefore essential.

The teaching is coordinated with ØABED4100.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: Buy-side analysis
  • Consists of an individual online quiz, and a written report (6 pages) and oral presentation (10 min + 10 min feedback) carried out in groups
• Coursework 2: Analyzing Performance
  • Consists of an individual online quiz, and a written hand-in (spreadsheet/slides with analysis + log) and oral presentation (10 min + 10 min feedback) carried out in groups
• Coursework 3: Forecasting Performance
  • Consists of an individual online quiz, and a written hand-in (spreadsheet/slides with analysis + log) and oral presentation (10 min + 10 min feedback) carried out in groups

Each group is assigned a separate publicly listed case company within a common industry for 3-5 other groups in the class. The case company assigned to a group is analyzed throughout all coursework and is the subject of the final report and presentation for that group.

The coursework requirements will be carried out in groups of 3 students, except for one or two groups of 2 if the number of students is indivisible by 3. These group stay the same throughout the coursework and exam. Changes will be done in agreement with the lecturer on a case-by-case bases.

The aim of the coursework requirements is to work systematically towards producing the content necessary for a good final report and presentation.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by the given deadline.

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of how data and statistical analysis can improve economic, managerial and business decision making. Students will learn how to develop empirical questions, collect and organize relevant quantitative data, apply appropriate statistical methods, and ultimately, make better business and policy decisions. The course will draw on a wide range of business and economic applications, such as finance, advertising, internet retailing, and human resources.

Language of instruction is English.

None

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• a theoretical understanding of quantitative methods for analyzing data
• an understanding of the role of empirical evidence in evaluating economic, managerial, and business problems
• an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different statistical methods

Skills

The student can

• formulate empirical questions
• gather, obtain, and organize quantitative data
• conduct statistical analysis using software
• interpret statistical results

General competence

The student can

• think critically and understand the role of assumptions in arguments
• communicate effectively about economic, managerial, and business issues
• develop a well-organized argument that states assumptions and hypothesis, which are supported by evidence
• use and appropriately cite different data sources

The course will be taught through lectures and in-class exercises. The course will also make use of software for data analysis.