In groups of 3 students will conduct research on a merger or acquisition transaction that took place sometime between 2010 and 2016.
Requirements:
- Prepare a 3-4page report about the chosen transaction answering the questions below.
- Attach a copy of all the material used in the research and add a reference page at the end.
- Complete a 15-20 minute presentation of the case.
Reports and presentations need to include at least the following:
- Background about each party involved in the transaction.
- What were the motives of the different parties?
- How was the transactions structured?
- How is the transaction accounted for on the books of all parties involved? Show this using the related financial statements.
- What are the implications of this transaction?
- How did the stock market react to the news?
- Anything else of interest about this transaction before, during, or after?
- What is your assessment of this merger, now that time has elapsed?
Resources:
- Annual reports including the front management discussion, and the back part including financial statements and their footnotes. These can be obtained from the library databases or online.
- Annual and quarterly reports filed (e.g. 10-K or 10-Q for American companies)
- Company press releases and voluntary disclosures.
- Business media articles about the two entities.
Grading:
Group name: _________________________________
Report 10% of total grade using the following rubric:
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Overall
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PLAGERISM
Zero
Words used in the report are not those of the students, except when cited properly and in less than 10% of the report.
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NOT GOOD ENOUGH
4-6
Very basic command of material, or lack of demonstrated effort.
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GOOD ENOUGH
7-8
Indicates good quality but does not merit special distinction.
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VERY GOOD
9-10
Indicates a full mastery of the case on hand and related concepts.
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Grade
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Comprehension:
3 points
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Students miss the relevant points or do not make enough connection with the course readings. Students at times report using opinions, not facts.
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Students miss the point at times but engage course materials effectively./
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Students clearly grasp the key points and effectively use course concepts to discuss and add value to the case presented.
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Resources:
2 points
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Minimal resources used and little effort is demonstrated in using quality resources.
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Reasonable choice of resources and effort.
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Students conduct thorough research and select the most relevant resources.
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Completeness:
3 points
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Students provide marginal responses, or not all questions were answered.
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All questions were answered. Responses were short and at times not too clear.
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Students provided clear, concise and thorough responses to each question.
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Mechanics:
2 points
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The writing or presentation of the material is hard to follow. Or the report contains too much media-sounding wording.
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The errors are not large enough to make understanding difficult. Students use their own words and material flows relatively easily.
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The writing is almost error-free. Students use their own words smf material flows easily.
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Total grade ___________________________
Presentation 15%
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Does not meet expectations
4-6
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Meets expectations
7-8
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Exceeds expectations
9-10
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Grade
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Content
3 points
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Incorporates minimal course concepts into presentation. Some concepts presented are not relevant to topic. Or not easy to understand.
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Incorporates some course concepts into presentation. Mostly easy to understand but sometimes there is too little or too much information.
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Incorporates relevant course concepts into presentation where appropriate.
Easy to follow and understand.
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Critical
Thinking
3 points
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Demonstrates little or no understanding of the specific issues being discussed.
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Demonstrates some understanding of the specific issues being discussed.
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Demonstrates a clear understanding of the specific issues being discussed.
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Terminology
and vocabulary
2 points
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Little attempt to use course terminology and proper accounting vocabulary.
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Mispronounced, misused and/or sporadic use of terminology and/or accounting vocabulary.
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Relevant and fluent terminology and/or vocabulary and pronunciation.
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Professionalism
2 points
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Speakers (or one) lack confidence and/or rely on notes most of the time.
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Speakers (or one) lack confidence and/or rely on notes some of the time.
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Speakers are well prepared and exhibit confidence. They rarely rely on notes.
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Total grade ________________________
