Please feel free to make any occasional mistakes (so I don't sound overly perfect). Thank-you.
Module X: Module Title Assignment 1 In this assignment, you will apply some of the key skills you have learned in the course to a real-world case from the Canadian automotive industry. The goal is to provide you with an accurate sense of how business professionals can incorporate financial analysis into their decision making to improve outcomes. This assignment provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate the achievement of the following course learning outcomes: · Identify financial management tools and techniques. · Use financial tools and techniques to evaluate business profitability, sustainability, and growth. · Interpret financial statements. · Relate financial information to managerial decision-making. Key Information · Type: Individual · Weight: 15% · Delivery: A2L – Assignment folder · Due Date: Check the Detailed Course Schedule in the About the Course module Expectations You are expected to complete this assignment individually. Respect for academic integrity is crucial to your success. Make sure you understand what constitutes acts of academic dishonesty in the page: What is Academic Dishonesty? Instructions Read the case entitled Ford Motor Company: Basic Financial Ratios in the courseware. Using what you have learned in the course, develop answers to each of the following four (4) questions based on the case facts as presented. 1. As a current investor, what is your overall assessment of Ford? 2. How would you describe Ford’s comparative performance and financial position? Examine Ford’s financial ratios and explain what each ratio tells you about Ford’s financial status. 3. As a current investor in Ford, which elements of financial performance are most important? 4. If you were a Ford investor in January 2018, would you buy more Ford stock, continue to hold your existing Ford stock, or sell off your Ford stock? Explain your decision. If you decide to sell, in which other automotive manufacturer(s) would you invest in, and why?” Structure This assignment should take the form of a written business report. To that end, the answers to the questions listed above should not be specifically identified under numbered subheadings. Instead, use the questions as prompts/guideposts around which you develop your report. All detailed calculations should be included in an appendix, while the results should be fully discussed in the report itself. Format · Length: 1000 words maximum, excluding relevant appendices and calculations. · Font type: Arial · Font size: 12 points · Citation guide: APA Style · File type: Portable Document Format (PDF) or Microsoft Word (DOC or DOCX) Resources You are encouraged to use the resources provided in Library, Research and Writing Assistance, under the Getting Started module. Noteworthy tools include the Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style Guide and Grammarly. Before you begin your assignment, review the rubric to understand the assignment’s expectations. Also, use the rubric to ensure inclusion of all marking criteria before submitting your assignment. How to Submit Your Assignment Please note that the following instructions pertain to this specific assignment. Instructions for other assignments may differ. To submit your assignment: 1. Click Assessments (top navigation bar) 2. Select Assignments 3. Click the Assignment 1 folder You may submit to the assignment folder multiple times, your instructor will mark only the final document uploaded, so make sure your final document is the correct one General Guidelines · Unless otherwise instructed, please submit only ONE file per assignment (i.e., combine all documents into one file). · Do not zip your files; combine them into one file. · Ensure that the name of your file does not include spaces as it can be challenging to link to them. · Ensure that the name of your file does not include special characters such as symbols or punctuation. Such characters may cause problems when uploading your file. · Keep a copy of your assignment in case of technical problems. · If your submission is successful, you will receive an Email Confirmation Receipt sent to your @mcmaster.ca email address. If you do not receive an Email Confirmation Receipt, please double-check your submission and re-submit if necessary. · Keep all Email Confirmation Receipts until the course is over as proof of submission. Late Submission Policy Late assignments will be subject to a 2% per day late penalty (includes weekends and holidays) for up to seven (7) days. After this date, no assignments will be accepted and a grade of zero (0) will be applied. Extensions for course work must be approved by the instructor before the due date (see Academic Regulations), and will be granted for illness or emergencies only. Students may be asked to submit supporting documentation for an extension request. Assignment Rubric Criteria Not Satisfactory Acceptable Good Very Good Excellent Format and Style (5 points) Report is very hard to follow; makes little or no use of white space and/or graphical elements; style detracts from reader’s ability to understand main ideas. (0-1 points) Report is unorganized but can be followed at basic level; white space and/or graphical elements are used simplistically. (2 points) Report is organized somewhat clearly but can be difficult to follow in areas; white space and/or graphical elements are present and somewhat effective. (3 points) Report is well organized and clearly presented; white space and graphical elements are used effectively; reader easily understands main ideas. (4 points) Report is flawlessly organized and presented in a very compelling way; white space and graphical elements enhance the analysis markedly. (5 points) Completion of Tasks (5 points) Assignment is incomplete, missing 2 or more major components (0-1 points) All components are present, but many are very basic or fragmentary. (2 points) All components of assignment are included; some in more basic form than ideal. (3 points) All components of assignment are included and fleshed out in detail. (4 points) All components are completed in extensive/more than expected detail and depth. (5 points) Quality of Report and Analysis (40 points) Analysis is rudimentary and/or does not address guiding questions in any real way; argument is not clear; little to no supporting evidence is offered. (0-17 points) Analysis is basic and/or addresses guiding questions in basic way; arguments are simplistic; minimal supporting evidence is offered. (18-24 points) Analysis is accurate and offers some level of detail; addresses guiding questions directly; arguments are clear but still often simple; supporting evidence is offered, but is occasionally thin. (25-31 points) Analysis is accurate, detailed, and addresses guiding questions clearly and compellingly; arguments are nuanced and supported by ample evidence. (32-36 points) Analysis is superior and comprehensively detailed; guiding questions are addressed with clarity and depth; arguments are sophisticated and extensively supported by compelling evidence. (37-40 points) Total 19 or more points 20 or more points 29 or more points 37 or more points 45 or more points Assignment #1 BUS 860: Foundations of Business Finance © McMaster University Centre for Continuing Education 3 of 4