Mergers and Value Enhancing Strategies

Subject 333-663 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours per semester (Semester 1, Semester 2).
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: 333-661 Principles of Finance. This subject is only available to those students that would satisfy the entry criteria for the Master of Applied Finance.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Subject Overview: This subject covers mergers and acquisitions and other value enhancing policies. Topics to be covered include: valuation techniques, mergers and acquisitions (introduction, motives, corporate control, strategic issues, offensive and defensive strategies and ploys); demergers (equity carve outs and spin-offs); other value enhancing strategies including redesigning dividend policy and capital structure to create value, corporate restructuring, EVA, and case studies.
Assessment: A 3-hour end-of-semester examination (70%) and assignments totalling not more than 3000 words (30%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
  • Identify and describe the various corporate valuation techniques.
  • Explain how changes in investment, dividend policy and financing mix of firms can help create value.
  • Discuss mergers and acquisitions as a value enhancing tool.
  • Analyse the strategic issues involved in mergers and acquisition.
  • Evaluate the merits of alternative funding mechanisms.
  • Evaluate and solve case-based problems in corporate finance.
  • Critically evaluate certain value enhancing problems.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Oral communication
  • Written communication
  • Collaborative learning
  • Problem solving
  • Team work
  • Statistical reasoning
  • Application of theory to practice
  • Interpretation and analysis
  • Critical thinking
  • Synthesis of data and other information
  • Evaluation of data and other information
  • Using computer software
  • Accessing data and other information from a range of sources
Related Course(s): Master of Applied Finance

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