Separation Theorem Corporate Finance Fisher

QUESTION 1.

(a) This is a Fisher’s Solution to a two-period analysis. The following diagram shows how an individual decides from the opportunities that are currently available to him.

Now, the starting point could be any point within the first quadrant or at the vertical or horizontal axis, T or P. The preference function, denoted by U₁ and U₂ correlates the two periods.

In a case, for example, that an investor has a starting point at Q, then QQ’ is called the market line. Likewise, if an investor has a starting point at P, then its market line is described by the line PP’. In addition, when an investor has W as its starting point, then its market line would be the same as the with the market line when a starting point is P.

In regards to the productivity opportunity curve, the curve QSTV reveals a kind of diminishing return to investment. This productive investments are express by (∆k₁)/(-∆k₀)-1, which is then called the productive rate of return. This curve can be represented as a sequence of investments or projects. The lower right portion of this curve yields the highest productivity return. The target of an investor is to climb to high indifference curve as possible, which U₁ and S as the highest attainable point. To achieve a much better results, the investor would reach up point R’ on the market line PP’. For this to be possible, the investor would now move in reverse order along the market line PP’, which is then called borrowing, and thus achieve the best available at point R.

(b)

In this diagram, its shows that there are two market lines, one line (dashed) represents the borrowing opportunities of an investor, and the other one (solid) represents the lending opportunities. Likewise, there are also two curves that show two productive opportunities that lead to U₁, a solution for the best investment projects. The curve STS’ is a target productive opportunity for an investor which would also lead to an optimum T’, which is done by moving T and then borrowing.

(c)

Since the investor has an income of ₤2m and has no future income, we have to let C₁ be equal to zero and look for the value of C₀:

Thus, we may solve for the investor’s wealth at W, with Y₀ = 2m and Y₁=0, which will yield a wealth of 2m pounds.

(d) The internal rate of return is somewhat identical to the Fisher’s Separation Theorem. An investor should choose a project whose internal rate of return should be greater than the market rate of interest. The formula

is identical to

which is the productive rate of return? The present value rule and internal rate of return will give the same answer on a two period case.

One characteristic of IRR that makes it a valuable concept in investment planning is that it helps to measure on how worthy an investment is even with different initial outlays.

QUESTION 2.

(a) Again, consider the diagram below:

The steeper-dashed line represents the borrowing opportunities while the solid line represents the lending opportunities. The main goal for an investor is to lead to solution U₁, which is the maximum possible productive opportunity.

Now, in the presence of perfect capital market, each investor with corresponding projects would target on reaching the optimal level of productivity. Thus exists every production opportunities for each set, which on this point, every opportunities are not necessarily the same. Supposed there is an opportunity on point V, the market line would then be VV’, and any starting point that lies within this line will have the same market line as V. On the hand, a starting point at W will also yield a market line of WW’, as well as any other starting point that lies within this line. These may represent the different individual choices or investments. Now, from the intersection of this two market lines exists a possible optimal level of productivity that lies also within the curve where U₁ resides. With a manipulation between borrowing and lending, then we are actually moving to the curve from T’ and V’, and thus may achieve the possible optimal level of productive investment which is the U₁. This will now lead an intersection where each shareholder agrees on the optimal solution.

(b)

In this figure, a possible result of different interest rate is a possible simultaneous tangency of the capital market line to the possible productivity curve that will be form from the diagram. As a result, an appropriate method for such investment planning will be the NPV or the Net Present Value, which can handle and is able to compare possible productivity at different interest rates. Likewise, this would be a proper method in order to deal with different borrowing and lending transaction overtime, as the productivity shifted in order to attain optimal level of productivity.

(c) Now, in terms of relating Fisher’s Separation Theorem and the Net Present Value criterion, both criterion, as its purposes are made, solves and seek to provide investors a good basis on selecting a satisfying plans or investment. However, NPV is much useful in cases wherein projects under consideration are of the same cost, which in contrast with Fisher’s theorem that it may take into consideration projects with different investment costs.

Also, NPV can put into comparisons for certain plan at different interest rates for consideration. This will most likely provide on-process deliberation of an investor planning to invest to a certain project, by which Fisher’s theorem may not able to do so.

However, NPV became a relevant factor for the Fisher theorem in terms of finances. The goal of the theory of finances is to focus in maximizing the NPV rather than taking into considerations, or more likely into accounts, the cash flows that each shareholders need. Thus, maximizing the NPV is equivalent to maximizing the investor’s utility.

(d) Based on the survey conducted by Arnold and Hatzopoulos in 1999 (Lime Consultancy) regarding the investment appraisal techniques those were commonly used by UK firms, about 96 percent used the DCF technique. Meanwhile, NPV are frequently used by larger firms than the IRR methods, and 70 percent comprising of respondents used payback method. Based from the survey, the total percentage may sum up more than a hundred, mainly because of overlapping preferences that are being put into practice by this firms. A single firm may well used two methods for their own firm, whatever are suited to their needs.

Preferences on these methods are well-devoted to the different advantages and drawbacks of each methodology. For example, larger companies prefer the NPV since it is much widely known as the “correct” method for determining the possible optimal level of productive investment. Some, however, are obviously considering their own suitable method for their company.

As a comment to these preferences of investment appraisal techniques inside UK, it is well noted that it is due mainly to the need of the firm, especially in terms of modernization. People are actually into a larger demand for modern equipments and thus firms are moving toward the demand of the consumer. Because of this, techniques are then shifted in order to identify which plan would yield a larger profit based on their investment.

The different changing patterns that are used by the different firms are also drag about by the different strategy used inside the market competition. As the competition evolves, different firms are also evolving on strategically used different methods on how to maximize their productivity based on the existing competitions.

References:

1. Ng, C. Similarity Between the Fisher Separation Theorem and the Two-Fund Separation Theorem. Retrieved May 08, 2006.
2. Smith, J. Fisher Separation and Project Valuation in Partially Complete Market. Retrieved May 08, 2006, from http://faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/~jes9/bio/Fisher_Separation_Theorem.pdf.
3. The Lime Consultancy. Capital Investment Appraisal. Retrieved May 07, 2006, from http://www.thelimesconsultancy.com/capital_investment_appraisal.htm
4. Encyco.gov. Model: Perfect Capital Market – Fisher Separation Theorem. Retrieved May 07, 2006, from http://www.encycogov.com/A2MonitorSystems/AppA2MonitorSystems/ AppEtoA2PerfCapMark/Model_PerfCapMarket.asp
5. Investopedia.com (2006). Retrieved May 07, 2006, from http://www.investopedia.com/ terms/f/fishersseparationtheorem.asp
6. Economics New School. Retrieved May 07, 2006, from http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/essays /capital/fisherinvest.htm