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Analysis of Policies within a Firm

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The popular self-sustainable growth model may be solved in reverse to show what policy (or policies) can be changed, and with what effect, in order to achieve a targeted growth rate. Used in this way, the model can help an analyst prepare policy recommendations. As an illustration, suppose that the CEO of Acme Corporation, a privately held manufacturer of specialized machine tools, feels compelled by competitive conditions to set a target for the firm to grow at a 15 percent annual rate in order to survive and prosper in its market niche. Can this rate of growth be sustained? Exhibit 6A.2 summarizes the modeling assumptions and the results.

Because Acme Corporation can self-sustain a growth rate of only 6.5 percent and needs to grow at 15 percent, management has a problem: how to increase the firm’s self-sustainable rate of growth. The CEO continues to analyze the operations of the firm and determines that any of the policy changes presented in Exhibit 6A.3 would raise the self-sustainable growth rate to 15 percent.

EXHIBIT 6A.2 Summary of Modeling Assumptions

Acme Corporation Self-Sustainable Growth Rate Analysis Assumptions and Result
Dividend payout ratio 50%
Target debt/equity ratio 25%
Expected return on equity 13%
Expected return on total capital 11.4%
Expected after-tax cost of debt 5%
New issues of common equity Nil
Self-sustainable growth rate 6.5%

EXHIBIT 6A.3 Policy Changes to Raise Self-Sustainable Growth Rate

Change in Policy New Policy Target Existing Policy Required Change
Increase debt/equity ratio. Finance the growth with debt. D/E = 2.9 D/E = .25 Tenfold relevering.
Sell equity. DPO = –115% (i.e., sell about as much equity each year as you generate internally) DPO = 50% (i.e., no equity sales) Drop the dividend. Sell equity.
Improve internal profitability. ROE = 30% ROTC = 25% ROE = 13% ROTC = 11.4% More than double the margins.
Improve internal profitability and increase debt/equity ratio. ROTC = 18% D/E = .667 ROTC = 11.4% D/E = .25 Increase margins and leverage a lot.
Cut dividend payout ratio and improve internal profitability and increase debt/equity ratio. DPO = 11.8% ROTC = 13% D/E = .50 DPO = 25% ROTC = 11.4% D/E = .25 Cut dividend in half. Double the leverage. Increase margins.

Considering the various advantages and disadvantages, the fifth alternative, which involves a blend of changes in all policy areas, seems most attractive. A higher debt/equity ratio could still be consistent with average ratios in the industry and with the firm’s internal debt rating preferences. While the owners of the firm would feel the cut in dividend payments, the improvement in competitive standing might translate into capital gains later. Of all the policy changes, an increase in ROTC from 11.4 percent to 13 percent would be the hardest to implement, though management believes it is obtainable.

Analysis like this can be performed at a more detailed level, using spreadsheet forecasts. Churchill and Mullins (2001) illustrate the spreadsheet approach and show that, to avoid running out of cash, the firm can consider speeding up the cycle of operating cash within the firm, reducing costs, or raising prices.

Applied Mergers and Acquisitions

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