When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 12 modules in this course
Apply valuation principles to complex corporate finance scenarios, including portfolio strategy, mergers and acquisitions, capital structure, and industry-specific challenges. Develop the ability to use valuation insights for strategic management and investor communication.
This module explores how companies can maximize value through strategic portfolio management, focusing on the concept of 'best ownership' and the dynamic processes of acquiring, developing, or divesting businesses. Learners will examine the myths and realities of diversification, analyze case studies from both developed and emerging markets, and gain tools for making informed corporate strategy decisions.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
7 readings•Total 41 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
What Makes an Owner the Best?•6 minutes
Better Insight and Foresight•6 minutes
Dynamic Portfolio Management•6 minutes
The Myth of Diversification•6 minutes
Conglomerates in Emerging Markets•9 minutes
Summary•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Strategic Management of Corporate Portfolios•16 minutes
Strategic Management: Analytics
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores how organizations can leverage analytics to inform strategic management decisions, focusing on understanding and applying value drivers to monitor and enhance business performance. Learners will discover how to set effective targets, allocate resources across the enterprise, and use key performance metrics to drive long-term value creation.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 37 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
Taking the Enterprise View•6 minutes
Applying Value Drivers to Monitor Performance•11 minutes
Understanding Value Drivers Pays Benefits•7 minutes
Setting Targets•4 minutes
Monitoring Results•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Strategic Management and Value Creation•16 minutes
Strategic Management: Mindsets and Behaviors
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores the essential mindsets and behaviors that drive effective strategic management, focusing on decision-making processes, overcoming cognitive biases, and aligning organizational processes for optimal performance. Learners will gain practical tools to identify and mitigate biases, ensure the right people are making key decisions, and synchronize planning with performance management.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 29 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
The Right Decision Makers•5 minutes
Debiased Decision Making•5 minutes
Confirmation Bias and Excessive Optimism•4 minutes
Synchronized and Streamlined Processes•4 minutes
Review Performance, Repeat•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior•16 minutes
Mergers and Acquisitions
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores the strategic, financial, and operational aspects of mergers and acquisitions, focusing on value creation, empirical findings, and common pitfalls. Learners will examine different acquisition strategies, assess the challenges of estimating cost savings, and understand the characteristics of successful acquirers. Practical insights are provided to help evaluate and implement effective M&A decisions.
What's included
1 video10 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
10 readings•Total 54 minutes
Introduction•5 minutes
Empirical Results•7 minutes
Archetypes for Value-Creating Acquisitions•6 minutes
Exploit a Business's Industry-Specific Scalability•6 minutes
Buy Cheap•4 minutes
Estimating Cost and Capital Savings•6 minutes
Implementation Costs, Requirements, and Timing•6 minutes
This module explores the strategic, financial, and operational considerations involved in divesting business units. Learners will examine the motivations behind divestitures, the risks of holding underperforming assets, and the legal and regulatory challenges that can arise. The module also covers methods for assessing value and executing public transactions.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
7 readings•Total 35 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
The Costs of Holding On•4 minutes
Why Executives Shy Away from Divestitures•4 minutes
Assessing Potential Value from Divestitures•6 minutes
Legal and Regulatory Barriers•5 minutes
Public Transactions•7 minutes
Summary•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Divestiture Strategies and Outcomes•16 minutes
Capital Structure, Dividends, and Share Repurchases
Module 6•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores the key decisions involved in shaping a company's financial structure, including determining optimal debt and equity levels, and strategies for returning cash to shareholders. Learners will examine practical frameworks for capital structure, analyze payout methods such as dividends and share repurchases, and consider the role of hybrid financing and divestitures. By the end, participants will be equipped to assess and implement effective financial policies for value creation.
What's included
1 video10 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
10 readings•Total 55 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
A Four-Step Approach•5 minutes
Step 4: Decide on a Surplus Payout and Deficit Financing•5 minutes
Evidence on Debt/Equity Trade-Offs•4 minutes
Credit Ratings and Target Capital Structure•7 minutes
Payouts to Shareholders•5 minutes
Share Repurchases•9 minutes
Extraordinary Dividends•4 minutes
Divestitures of Noncore Businesses•6 minutes
Hybrid Financing•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Capital Structure and Dividend Decisions•16 minutes
Investor Communications
Module 7•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores the principles and practices of effective investor communications, including how to segment investors, tailor messaging, and foster transparency. Learners will examine the impact of intrinsic versus market value, the benefits of open disclosure, and strategies for engaging with different investor groups. The module also covers best practices for listening to investors and alternatives to traditional earnings guidance.
What's included
1 video9 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
9 readings•Total 48 minutes
Introduction•4 minutes
Intrinsic Value vs. Market Value•6 minutes
Investor Segmentation by Strategy•5 minutes
Targeting Communications by Segment•5 minutes
Communicating with Intrinsic Investors•5 minutes
Benefits of Transparency•7 minutes
Listening to Investors•6 minutes
An Alternative to Earnings Guidance•6 minutes
When Companies Meet or Beat the Consensus Forecast•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Investor Communication and Financial Strategy•16 minutes
Emerging Markets
Module 8•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores the unique challenges and methodologies for valuing companies in emerging economies. Learners will gain practical skills in estimating cost of capital, applying scenario-based discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, and triangulating valuations using multiple approaches. Special emphasis is placed on accounting for country-specific risks and capital structures.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 32 minutes
Introduction•8 minutes
Applying the Scenario DCF Approach•5 minutes
Estimating Cost of Capital in Emerging Markets•6 minutes
Estimating Capital Structure and WACC•5 minutes
Triangulating Valuation•5 minutes
Summary•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Financial Analysis in Emerging Markets•16 minutes
High-Growth Companies
Module 9•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores the unique challenges and strategies involved in valuing high-growth companies, focusing on forecasting, connecting future projections to current performance, and managing uncertainty. Learners will gain practical tools for applying valuation principles to rapidly evolving businesses and markets.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
3 readings•Total 22 minutes
Introduction•14 minutes
Work Backward to Current Performance•4 minutes
Uncertainty Is Here to Stay•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Valuation and Growth Strategies for High-Growth Businesses•16 minutes
Cyclical Companies
Module 10•29 minutes to complete
Module details
This module explores the unique characteristics of companies whose earnings fluctuate in predictable cycles, such as those in the steel and airline industries. Learners will discover why these fluctuations occur and how to approach valuing such companies using probabilistic, scenario-based methods. By the end, you'll be equipped to better understand and assess cyclical businesses.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
2 readings•Total 12 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
An Approach to Valuing Cyclical Companies•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Cyclical Industry Dynamics and Valuation Strategies•16 minutes
Banks
Module 11•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores the complexities of valuing banks, focusing on the unique challenges posed by their financial structures and regulatory requirements. Learners will examine methods such as equity cash flow analysis, economic spread evaluation, and the impact of risk-weighted assets. The module also highlights the importance of understanding value drivers across diverse banking activities.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 40 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
Other Income•5 minutes
Analyzing and Forecasting Equity Cash Flows•4 minutes
Pitfalls of Equity DCF Valuation•5 minutes
Economic-Spread Analysis•5 minutes
Economic Spread vs. Net Interest Income•6 minutes
Risk-Weighted Assets and Equity Risk Capital•5 minutes
Value Drivers for Different Banking Activities•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Banking Operations and Financial Management•16 minutes
Flexibility
Module 12•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module explores how managerial flexibility impacts business valuation, especially under uncertainty. Learners will examine methods such as decision tree analysis and real-option valuation to assess investment opportunities and understand the value drivers behind flexible decision-making. Practical examples illustrate how to apply these techniques to real-world projects.
What's included
1 video9 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 1 minute
Overview•1 minute
9 readings•Total 53 minutes
Introduction•6 minutes
Uncertainty, Flexibility, and Value•5 minutes
What Creates Flexibility Value•7 minutes
Methods for Valuing Flexibility•6 minutes
Comparing ROV and DTA Approaches•8 minutes
Four Steps to Valuing Flexibility•8 minutes
Real-Option Valuation and Decision Tree Analysis: A Numerical Example•6 minutes
ROV Approach: Technological and Commercial Risk•4 minutes
Summary•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
Evaluating Flexibility in Investment Decisions•16 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
We embrace the potential in data and technology. Whether it’s equipping researchers with powerful insights that fuel their work or inspiring our community of learners to drive change in their fields. We’re committed to fast-tracking innovation, unlocking new possibilities, and championing breakthroughs that redefine industries and improve lives.
With a legacy built on trust, our 200 years of experience in publishing allows us to be your partner in shaping a world driven by information, curiosity, and continuous advancement.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.