rowak plc is a syldavian industrial company listed on the klow stock exchange 604655

Rowak plc is a Syldavian industrial company listed on the Klow stock exchange. The number of shares in issue has been constant over the period at one million. The corporate income tax rate is 33%.

(a) Calculate Rowak”s after-tax ROCE and ROE in each year. What do you think?

(b) What do you think of the fact that Rowak has never paid a dividend?

(c) In early September 2009, the company”s market capitalisation is 200 million, and its managers believe the shares are worth 150 each. Rowak”s chairman proposes to the board of directors that 50 million be devoted to buying back (and cancelling) outstanding shares. The programme is to be financed by borrowing at 10% before tax. The board of directors refuses. Why, in your opinion?

(d) In December 2011, the company”s market capitalisation has fallen to 90 million (still with the same number of shares in issue) and the estimated value of the share is 120. Rowak”s chairman puts forward his proposal again. What do you think now?

(figures in

Revenue

Net

Pre-tax interest

Book value

Net

Market

millions)

profit

expenses

of equity

debt

capitalisation

2006

170

8

9

5o

6o

55

2007

130

10

10

6o

7o

90

2008

170

11

10

71

75

152

2009

220

13

9

84

76

195

2010

230

13

7

97

7o

210

2011

240

13

6

110

65

200