Achieve a complete understanding of the following sample concepts:Calculation of unlevered free cash flow from business case projectionsImportance of standalone focus in estimating an opportunity’s cost of capitalFinancial theory determines the optimal level of debt employment, taxes largely determine where in world-wide operations debt capacity is best utilizedIn practice, nonsystematic risk is often provided for in the valuation analysis in contrast to what financial theory suggestsCapital market performance over the last couple of years may suggest that the cost of equity capital has declined from the levels indicated by long term historical trendsOnly when used together do the value metrics of NPV and IRR provide a full readout of the risk / return profile of an investment opportunityPrice gaming provides a sense of the competitive price pressure at play in an industryThe terminal value calculation is usually the most critical element of a valuation and the calculation most likely to be in errorThe use of an EBITDA multiple terminal value calculation may not be appropriate with respect to opportunities whose cost of capital is likely to change over timeCalculating the premium above “hold and operate value” necessary to cover “tax friction” Value of a tax-free reorganization to types of shareholders; individuals, corporations, institutionsStructuring tax-free transactions when some level of shareholder dissent is expectedEvaluating the attractiveness of a section 338(h)(10) election and the ensuing step-up in tax basisComparing the attractiveness of spin-offs and split-offsImplications of an acquisition premium to both acquiring and target shareholdersJudging the “fullness” of a proposed acquisition premiumDesigning and interpreting collars in stock-for-stock transactionsOptimizing among tax and accounting structural alternativesSources and valuation of synergistic value, justifying premiums under newly issued FAS 142Structuring to reduce the possibility of goodwill impairment losses under newly issued FAS 142Understanding stock price movement and how stock price relates to shareholder wealth creationAntitrust overview, pitfalls, and planningInterpreting P/E ratios, return on equity and growth expectations impliedAnticipating investment community reaction to an announced acquisitionCalculating a company’s “sum-of-the-parts” valueAssessing the riskiness of a foreign country and adjusting the valuation accordinglyOptimizing the foreign financing plan to mitigate taxes, political risk, foreign exchange risk, and FAS 52 induced reported income volatilityIn a field with no shortage of authoritative writings, this book has all the elements of a standout. Whether new to the field of mergers & acquisitions, or a seasoned professional, the reader will readily embrace the approach and style that the author has adopted. Without sacrificing accuracy and completeness, complex concepts and relationships have been reduced to a highly understandable state. Through the liberal use of skillfully constructed illustrations, and through the employment of an outline format, the reader is brought along step-by-step to an integrated understanding of the tax, accounting, and financial considerations at play in mergers & acquisitions. The author has demystified several subjects that for years have vexed the finance organizations of companies large and small alike. These include: the value/earnings relationship; the estimation of shareholder expectations; and the creation and calibration of shareholder wealth. The chapter on the valuation of international transactions is an unexpected bonus that might alone be worth the “price of admission”.