Principals of Financial Markets Group Assignment
In groups of 3-4, students should choose firstly an industry and secondly two (2) ASX listed companies in this same industry upon which to undertake a fundamental analysis. Fundamental Analysis seeks to identify factors that are likely to influence directional changes in the value of a company and hence its share price. These factors may be macro or micro in context.
Requirements - The assignment comprises two related sections:
a) Conduct a Top Down analysis of the overall economic environment and consider how forecast changes in economic fundamentals will impact on the performances of companies in the industry your group has chosen. Consider questions including, but not limited to: What is the current interest rate? What is the current value of the $AUD? What is current GDP etc?
b) Conduct a Bottom Up analysis of companies' current financial situation. Consider accounting ratios and measures of a firm's performance, how these need to be compared to the industry and company history,
All of the required information for calculation and often the actual ratio/number can be found on various websites on the internet.
Note: When your group is performing the fundamental analysis take a less is more approach. Select a few key performance measures then define each measure; explain what the measure is supposed to show and then what it is showing for the industry/your companies.
Structure of your paper -
1. Executive summary
2. Introduction
3. Top-down analysis
4. Bottom-up analysis
5. Summary and recommendations
6. Referencing