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CFA Institute CFA-Level-II Exam - Topic 2 Question 85 Discussion

Actual exam question for CFA Institute's CFA-Level-II exam
Question #: 85
Topic #: 2
[All CFA-Level-II Questions]

Ivan Johnson is reviewing the investment merits of BioTLab, a fast-growing biotechnology company. BioTLab has developed several drugs, which arc being licensed to major drug companies. BioTLab also has several drugs in phase III trials (phase III trials are the last testing stage before FDA approval). Johnson notes that two drugs recently received approval which should provide BioTLab solid revenue growth and generate predictable cash flow well into the future. Based on the potential for the two drugs, BioTLab's estimated annual cash flow growth rate for the next two years is 25%, and long-term growth is expected to be 12%. Because of BioTLab's attractive investment opportunities, the company does not pay a dividend. BioTLab's current weighted average cost of capital is 15% and its stock is currently trading at $50 per share. Financial information for BioTLab for the most recent 12 months is provided below:

* Net working capita! excluding cash increased from $7,460,000 to $9,985,000;

* Book value increased from $81,250,000 to $101,250,000.

* BioTLab currently has no debt.

* Research facilities and production equipment were purchased for $8,450,000.

* BioTLab held non-operating assets in the amount of $875,000.

* Net income for the 12 months was $20,000,000.

* BioTLab has a marginal tax rate of 40%.

* Noncash charges for depreciation and restructuring for the 12 months were $1,250,000.

BioTLab's management has indicated an interest in establishing a dividend and will fund new drug research by issuing additional debt.

Johnson also reviews a competitor to BioTLab, Groh Group, which has a larger segment operating in a highly cyclical business. The Groh Group has a debt to equity ratio of 1.0 and pays no dividends. In addition, Groh Group plans to issue bonds in the coming year.

Johnson prefers to use free cash flow analysis to value investments. Which of the statements below is least accurate in describing the advantages of free cash flow valuation models?

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Suggested Answer: C

The company will need to sell silver in eight months. Thus, if the price of silver is expected to fall over that time frame, Walker should be short a forward contract on the price of silver to lock in a higher selling price now. Walker will also need to convert Australian dollars to U .S . dollars after the extracted Australian silver is sold. Thus, he is effectively Jong Australian dollars and will need either a short currency forward contract on Australian dollars or equivalently a long currency forward contract on U .S . dollars if he expects the Australian dollar to depreciate. (Study Session 16, LOS 58.a)


Contribute your Thoughts:

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Mariko
4 months ago
I think B is misleading, dividends can be straightforward too.
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Raymon
4 months ago
C seems true, no cash flow, no growth!
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Lelia
5 months ago
Wait, is it really easier to determine free cash flow than dividends?
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Larae
5 months ago
Totally agree, A is spot on!
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Lashawnda
5 months ago
Free cash flow is less affected by accounting tricks.
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Mitsue
5 months ago
I recall that a company can still grow without generating free cash flow, especially if they are reinvesting heavily in growth, but that might not be sustainable long-term.
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Micheline
6 months ago
I think I saw a similar question about the advantages of free cash flow models in our practice exams. It focused on how they account for capital expenditures.
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Sherell
6 months ago
I'm not sure if determining free cash flow is really easier than dividends. It seems like both have their complexities.
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Ellsworth
6 months ago
I remember that free cash flow is often preferred because it reflects the actual cash available to investors, unlike earnings which can be manipulated.
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Dell
6 months ago
I feel pretty confident about this one. The details on BioTLab's growth, cost of capital, and lack of debt provide a solid foundation for a free cash flow valuation. I just need to make sure I apply the right formulas and assumptions.
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Mari
6 months ago
Okay, the key here is to really dig into the free cash flow analysis. That seems to be the preferred valuation method for the investor, so I'll need to make sure I understand the advantages and limitations of that approach compared to other models.
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Richelle
6 months ago
Whoa, this is a lot of information to take in. I'm a bit overwhelmed trying to keep track of all the financial data points. I'll need to take it step-by-step and make sure I don't miss anything important.
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Delpha
6 months ago
This question seems pretty straightforward. I'll focus on understanding the key details about BioTLab's financials and growth prospects, then use the free cash flow analysis to determine the most accurate statement.
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Mammie
6 months ago
Hmm, I'm a little unsure about this one. I know a System DSN is a data source configuration that's available to multiple users, but I can't quite remember if it's specific to an individual user or not. I'll have to think this through carefully.
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Natalie
6 months ago
I keep mixing up the Formatting and Appearance tabs! Both sound like they could apply here.
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Loise
11 months ago
As an investor, I'm all about that free cash flow life. Forget dividends - show me the cold, hard cash! Though I guess you need some of that green stuff to fund new drug research. Balancing act, am I right?
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Alecia
11 months ago
Pfft, 'free cash flow' - more like 'where's the cash flow?' Amirite? Seriously though, I can see how it's a better metric than earnings, which can be inflated. Gotta follow the money, not the hype.
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Jeanice
9 months ago
For sure, following the money is key when evaluating investments.
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Theodora
9 months ago
Earnings can be manipulated, but cash flow is harder to fake.
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Colette
10 months ago
Definitely, free cash flow gives a clearer picture of a company's financial health.
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Kerrie
10 months ago
Yeah, cash is king. It's all about the actual money coming in.
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Antonette
11 months ago
That's a great point about companies needing to generate free cash flow to grow in the long run. It makes perfect sense - no cash, no growth. I'd say that's a key advantage of the free cash flow model.
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Claribel
9 months ago
C) A company must generate free cash flow to grow in the long run.
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Hyman
10 months ago
B) Determining free cash flow is easier than dividends.
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Lashandra
10 months ago
A) Accounting issues limit the usefulness of reported earnings, while free cash flow is adjusted for these issues.
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Julieta
11 months ago
I'm not sure I agree that determining free cash flow is easier than dividends. Dividends are a pretty straightforward metric, while free cash flow requires more complex calculations. But I see the overall benefit of using free cash flow.
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Merrilee
11 months ago
Accounting issues can definitely skew reported earnings, so free cash flow analysis is a more reliable way to assess a company's true financial health. I agree with that point.
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Bambi
10 months ago
Definitely, a company needs to generate free cash flow to sustain long-term growth.
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Gene
10 months ago
I think free cash flow analysis is more straightforward than trying to analyze dividends.
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Mariko
10 months ago
Yes, reported earnings can be manipulated, but free cash flow gives a clearer picture of a company's financial performance.
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Shawna
12 months ago
I believe option B is the least accurate, determining free cash flow is not always easier than dividends.
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Stephaine
12 months ago
I agree, it's important to understand the advantages of using free cash flow for valuation.
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Jina
1 year ago
I think the question about free cash flow valuation models is tricky.
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