Write about Halliburton or you can pick a company.

Guidelines for Term Paper

You will demonstrate your competency in the term paper by evaluating whether or not you believe a public company of your choice has a capital structure and financing strategy that is appropriate for its business model. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your competence in how well you have learned about a specific company and its underlying business drivers while demonstrating your proficiency in applying the concepts covered in this course.

1) The first criterion is financial analysis, including ratio analysis and risk analysis. Are you evaluating this company from a macro-economic or big-picture perspective in which you look at broad-based economic and industry trends in relation to how the company will capitalize on those trends OR are you examining the company from an operating / on-ground perspective and its individual business prospects and financial outlook (with less importance accorded to macro-trends)? Is it a high risk, low risk or medium risk situation? For example, a company that focuses on growth and reinvests all its profits into the core business typifies a growing, risk- taking enterprise. An example of a conservative operation is a company that generates surplus cash [pays a dividend if publicly traded] and is noted for stable, steady growth

2) The second criterion is qualitative research. For example, determine if there is a future for the company's core business. If the company is in the midst of either a corporate or financial restructuring, or launching a new product, what are the strategic objectives for such measures? What is the management style of the company?

3) The third criterion is financial research. You’ll need to find any research about the industry your company is in from analyst recommendations found in Value Line, Dun & Bradstreet, Morningstar, etc. If you are studying a private business entity, then analyst reports on publicly traded comparable firms may provide an applicable standard of comparison by which you are able to arrive at your appraisal of the capital structure and financing for the business model you are studying.

4) The executive summary should begin with the conclusion (i.e., your findings). Is it adequately financed? Why or why not? [If publicly traded, then you must include published industry norms regarding capital structure and financing mix between debt versus equity.] The rest of the paper should fully explain the reasons for your evaluation. A table of contents may also be included if the report is lengthy or has multiple sections and subheadings.

5) Calculations and support documentation should be included in the appendix, but relevant statistical support (i.e., bottom line figures such as rates of return, valuation, and so forth) should also be included in the body of the text.