Corporate Finance

Financial Mathematics/Accounting

The classes will be theoretical and practical in nature, based on a student-centered teaching-learning process. The theoretical component aims at understanding the fundamental concepts contained in the program content, while the practical component seeks to develop the ability to analyze, solve problems, and make decisions in a business context.
Diverse teaching-learning methodologies will be used, including theoretical exposition of the content, solving exercises, discussing case studies, and analyzing real-life situations in business and financial contexts. These activities aim to promote the development of critical thinking, argumentation skills, and the application of knowledge to concrete and complex situations.
Whenever pedagogically relevant, resources based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used in the classroom, with the aim of exploring their potential and limitations in supporting learning. The use of these tools will be framed within a critical and reflective perspective, encouraging students to validate the information produced, question the results obtained, and recognize the risks associated with the uncritical acceptance of content generated by AI.
Learning should be based primarily on understanding concepts, autonomous reasoning, and problem-solving skills, with AI tools viewed as complementary support instruments and not as substitutes for the learning process.

The general aim of this CU is to provide students with the necessary foundations to rationalize companies’ financial problems, seeking to
present a rigorous and in-depth conceptual and methodological framework for their analysis.
In terms of specific competences and objectives, the aim is for students, by the end of this course, to have acquired the knowledge and
developed the skills that will enable them, on a conceptual and practical level, to understand, discuss and evaluate the impact of:
1. knowledge of the financial value of time;
2. investment decisions and their ability to create value;
3. capital structure decisions;
4. decisions on profit distribution policy;
5. short-term decisions.

introduction to corporate finance
2. The financial value of time
2.1. The processes of capitalization and capital updating
2.2 Income
3. Investment policy
3.1. The economic and financial decision to implement an investment project
3.2 Decision criteria for accepting projects
4. M/L term financing and cost of capital
4.1 Characterization of the main sources of medium and long-term financing
4.2. Capital structure policy and its main determinants
4.3. The weighted average cost of capital
5. Profit distribution policy
5.1. The different forms of profit distribution
5.2 Main determinants of profit distribution policy
6. Current financial management
6.1 Basic principles of cash management
6.2 The main CP financial investments
6.3 The main sources of CP financing
6.4 The exchange rate market and exchange rate risk management

The course will be assessed through a final written exam. During any formal assessment, the use of Artificial Intelligence tools or other means not expressly authorized by the professor is strictly prohibited.

NAO