Risk and risk allocation have always been central issues in public utility regulation. Unfortunately, the term “risk” can easily be misrepresented and misinterpreted, especially when disconnected from long-standing principles of corporate finance. This book provides those in the regulatory policy community with a basic theoretical and practical grounding in risk as it relates specifically to economic regulation in order to focus and elevate discourse about risk in the utility sector in the contemporary context of economic, technological, and regulatory change. This is not a “how-to” book with regard to calculating risks and returns but rather a resource that aims to improve understanding of the nature of risk. It draws from the fields of corporate finance, behavioral finance, and decision theory as well as the broader legal and economic theories that undergird institutional economics and the economic regulatory paradigm. We exist in a world of scarce resources and abundant uncertainties, the combination of which can exacerbate and distort our sense of risk. Although there is understandable impulse to reduce risk, attempts to mitigate may be as likely to shift risk, and some measures might actually increase risk exposure. Many of the concepts explored here apply not just to financial decisions, such as those by utility investors, but also to regulatory and utility decision-making in general.

Risk and risk allocation have always been central issues in public utility regulation. Unfortunately, the term “risk” can easily be misrepresented and misinterpreted, especially when disconnected from long-standing principles of corporate finance. This book provides those in the regulatory policy community with a basic theoretical and practical grounding in risk as it relates specifically to economic regulation in order to focus and elevate discourse about risk in the utility sector in the contemporary context of economic, technological, and regulatory change. This is not a “how-to” book with regard to calculating risks and returns but rather a resource that aims to improve understanding of the nature of risk. It draws from the fields of corporate finance, behavioral finance, and decision theory as well as the broader legal and economic theories that undergird institutional economics and the economic regulatory paradigm. We exist in a world of scarce resources and abundant uncertainties, the combination of which can exacerbate and distort our sense of risk. Although there is understandable impulse to reduce risk, attempts to mitigate may be as likely to shift risk, and some measures might actually increase risk exposure. Many of the concepts explored here apply not just to financial decisions, such as those by utility investors, but also to regulatory and utility decision-making in general.

Aswath Damodaran, distinguished author, Professor of Finance, and David Margolis, Teaching Fellow at the NYU Stern School of Business, has delivered the newest edition of Applied Corporate Finance. This readable text provides the practical advice students and practitioners need rather than a sole concentration on debate theory, assumptions, or models. Like no other text of its kind, Applied Corporate Finance, 4th Edition applies corporate finance to real companies. It now contains six real-world core companies to study and follow. Business decisions are classified for students into three groups: investment, financing, and dividend decisions.

Public Finance provides a modern treatment of public finance principles with an emphasis on policymaking and policy analysis. Using a variety of applications in the context of fiscal federalism, the text evenly addresses local, state, and federal issues. At the same time, Anderson incorporates international issues, such as comparisons of the public sector in different countries as well as discussions of the IMF and World Bank.

My position in the working paper Internal Rate of Return Revisited is different from that in the Principles of Corporate Finance textbook by Richard A. Brealey and Stewart C. Myers. Questions in the form of polite challenges have been posed several times in a Brealey and Myers (Bamp;M) context. Bamp;M present IRR as inferior to NPV. My position is that NPV and IRR have essentially equivalent utility--that IRR is not inferior. This paper addresses this one point only. It is neither a book review nor a critique of the Principles text. Spreadsheets provided online by the Olin School of Business are used to illustrate the differences.

The first book devoted exclusively to modern advanced corporate finance, this volume provides a comprehensive exploration of theoretical and empirical literature on corporate financial policies and strategies--particularly those of U.S. nonfinancial firms--defined in rational, economic terms. Throughout, Cases in Point show theory in relation to financial decisions made by specific firms; and Real-World Focus highlights numerous articles from the financial press, providing insights from practitioners' points of view. Empirical Perspectives On The Financial Characteristics Of Publicly Traded U.S. Nonfinancial Firms. Valuation And Financing Decisions In An Ideal Capital Market. Separation Of Ownership And Control, Principal-Agent Conflicts, And Financial Policies. Information Asymmetry And The Markets For Corporate Securities. The Roles Of Government, Securities Markets, Financial Institutions, Ownership Structure, Board Oversight, And Contract Devices. The Leverage Decision. Analyses Of The Firm And The Valuation Of Equity And Debt. Industry Analysis And Financial Policies And Strategies. The Firm's Environment, Governance, Strategy, Operations, And Financial Structure. Market Efficiency, Event Studies, Cost Of Equity Capital, And Equity Valuation. Corporate Bonds: Terms, Issuance, And Valuation. Private Equity And Venture Capital. Initial Public Offerings Of Stock. Managing Internal Equity And Seasoned Equity Offerings. Dividend Policy And Stock Repurchases. Corporate Liabilities: Strategic Selections Of Lenders And Contract Terms. Mergers, Acquisitions, Takeovers, And Buyouts. Financial Distress And Restructuring. Debt Restructuring, Being Acquired, Bankruptcy, Reorganization, And Liquidation. Organizational Architecture, Risk Management, And Security Design. For CEOs and CFOs of corporations, senior lending officers at commercial banks, and senior officers and analysts at investment banks.

This publication, for those involved in utility accounting, finance, ratemaking and deregulation, brings into focus special types of accounting rules, situations and adaptations that are essential in this highly specialized industry. Features of this work include: a discussion of ratemaking concepts, including styles of ratemaking, determining utility rate base, cost allocations and normalization; an analysis of regulatory accounting and reporting requirements; and an explanation of accounting for taxes, public utility regulation, management accounting systems, pricing and depreciation. The price quoted for the work covers one year's worth of service.

Merging theory and practice into a comprehensive, highly-anticipated text Corporate Finance continues its legacy as one of the most popular financial textbooks, with well-established content from a diverse and highly respected author team. Unique in its features, this valuable text blends theory and practice with a direct, succinct style and commonsense presentation. Readers will be introduced to concepts in a situational framework, followed by a detailed discussion of techniques and tools. This latest edition includes new information on venture finance and debt structuring, and has been updated throughout with the most recent statistical tables. The companion website provides statistics, graphs, charts, articles, computer models, and classroom tools, and the free monthly newsletter keeps readers up to date on the latest happenings in the field. The authors have generously made themselves available for questions, promising an answer in seventy-two hours. Emphasizing how key concepts relate to real-world situations is what makes Corporate Finance a valuable reference with real relevance to the professional and student alike. Readers will gain insight into the methods and tools that shape the industry, allowing them to: Analyze investments with regard to hurdle rates, cash flows, side costs, and more Delve into the financing process and learn the tools and techniques of valuation Understand cash dividends and buybacks, spinoffs, and divestitures Explore the link between valuation and corporate finance As the global economy begins to recover, access to the most current information and statistics will be required. To remain relevant in the evolving financial environment, practitioners will need a deep understanding of the mechanisms at work. Corporate Finance provides the expert guidance and detailed explanations for those requiring a strong foundational knowledge, as well as more advanced corporate finance professionals.