ACC7032: Mars Holdings Plc has a portfolio of investments in subsidiary companies and is seeking another acquisition: Managerial Finance Course Work, BCU,UK

The scenario

Mars Holdings Plc has a portfolio of investments in subsidiary companies and is seeking another acquisition that complements the others.

The subsidiary companies already in the group include: machinery and commercial vehicle dealership; finance company; equipment leasing company; haulage company with a fleet of 200 heavy goods vehicles (HGV), and a chain of value hotels across the UK, one of which is making a loss.

Two possible acquisition targets have been identified:

Wire Child Ltd is based in leased converted hotels and provides care services for young people unable to be cared for in the foster system. Mars Holdings Plc are looking into the possibility of converting their failing hotel into a provider of care services and Wire Child Ltd is looking for another property to continue expanding around the UK;

Border Commercials Ltd has a large unit and caters for the storage and repair of up to 60 commercial vehicles at one time, and has the potential for more space as it is based in a large empty industrial area. Border Commercials is looking for a contract with a fleet operator to stabilize their income and growth.

Requirements

Question 1

It is to be addressed to the board of directors of Mars Holdings Plc.

You must evaluate the financial statements, interpret the ratio analysis and make a convincing argument for investment in one of the two target companies. Your report should be supported with academic references throughout, and your ratio analysis should be put in an appendix to the report.

• Critically evaluate the working capital management (WCM) of both companies using academic references and draw conclusions on which is stronger. (200 words, 5 marks)
• Create a table that lists the advantages and disadvantages of all the finance options available to Mars Holdings Plc. Explain, with references, the source of finance you recommend as most suitable way to finance the investment in either Wire Child services Ltd or Border Commercial Ltd

Marking guide

Carefully examine the marking guide below to ensure that you structure your answer to include every element:

Question 2

 You work for a consulting firm that has been approached by a client who is concerned about the future of their business. The board of directors of AJ Supplies Ltd are considering halting the production of 2 of their products that appear to be making no profit.

As you can see from the table below the directors are considering closing products Bass and Clarinet in an effort to improve overall profitability.

You spot that management accounting would show the results differently and may affect the directors’ decision.

Question 2 (continued)

 The board have approached you to get your opinion of their expansion plan, which includes a chain of factory outlet stores. Below are the figures for the first one that is planned for a central Birmingham location next year.

Company policy dictates that any decision should be based on the results of calculating Net Present Value (NPV) of 3 years cash flows using a cost of capital of 12%, Payback Period (PBP) must be less than 3 years, and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of the project should provide a 5% cushion in case of increases in inflation or interest rates.

The investment consists of £4,000 for the land, building costs of £7,900, and £1,830 for fittings and equipment.

The cash flows in year 1 are expected to be: total sales revenue £28,600; the cost of Acoustic products sold £7,900; Bass stock sold £5,660; staff costs £1,180; light & heat £1,676; other overheads £6,424. The cash flows for the following years are the same, but are expected to increase by 2% inflation each year.

Question 3

 The budgeted statement of Comprehensive Income and Net Assets for GFX Industries are given below:

Budgeted Statement of Comprehensive Income For the year ended 31^st December 2021

The current manufacturing facility is under-utilized and there is a proposal to extend sales to a supermarket chain with nationwide stores. However, the supermarket will sell the product under its own brand name.

 Estimated effects of the proposal are;

Required:

Prepare the revised budgets to evaluate this proposal. Specifically you should:

Answer

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