“III. Assignment and
Rubric:
Assignment 1:
Financial Research Report
Due Week 10 and Worth 300 points

Imagine that you are a financial manager researching investments for your client that align with its investment goals.
Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research any U.S. publicly traded
company that you may consider as an investment opportunity for your client. (Note: Please ensure that you are able
to find enough information about this company in order to complete this
assignment. You will create an appendix, in which you will insert related
information.)

The assignment covers the following topics:

Rationale for choosing the company for which to invest
Ratio analysis
Stock price analysis
Recommendations

Write a ten to fifteen (10-15) page paper in
which you:

Provide a rationale for the U.S. publicly traded company that you
selected, indicating the significant factors driving your decision as a
financial manager.
Determine the profile of the investor for which this company may
be a fit, relative to that potential investors investment strategy.
Provide support for your rationale.
Select any five (5) financial ratios that you have learned about
in the text. Analyze the past three (3) years of the companys financial
data, which you may obtain from the companys financial statements.
Determine the companys financial health. (Note: Suggested ratios include, but are not limited to:
Liquidity ratios; Asset Management ratios; Debt Management ratios;
Profitability Ratios; and Market Value ratios.)
Based on your financial review, determine the risk level of the
company from your investors point of view. Indicate key strategies that
you may use in order to minimize these perceived risks.
Provide your recommendations of this stock as an investment
opportunity. Support your rationale with resources, such as peer-reviewed
articles or material from the Strayer Library.
Use at least five (5) quality academic resources in this
assignment. Note: Wikipedia,
Investopedia and other similar Websites to not qualify as academic
resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting
requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12),
with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow
APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any
additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the
students name, the professors name, the course title, and the date. The
cover page and the reference page are not included in the required
assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes
associated with this assignment are:

Critique financial management strategies that support business
operations in various market environments.
Analyze financial statements for key ratios, cash flow positions,
and taxation effects.
Review fixed income strategies using time value of money concept,
bond valuation methods, and interest rate calculations.
Estimate the risk and return on financial investments.
Apply financial management options to corporate finance.
Determine the cost of capital and how to maximize returns.
Formulate cash flow analysis for capital projects including
project risks and returns.
Evaluate how corporate valuation and forecasting affect financial
management.
Analyze how capital structure decision-making practices impact
financial management.
Design working capital management concepts to enhance tactical
financial strategies.
Use technology and information resources to research
issues in financial management.
Write clearly and concisely about financial management
using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on
answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing
skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 300

Assignment 1: Financial Research Report

Criteria

Unacceptable
Below 70% F

Fair
70-79% C

Proficient
80-89% B

Exemplary
90-100% A

1. Provide a rationale for the U.S. publicly
traded company that you selected, indicating the significant factors driving your
decision as a financial manager.
Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely provided a
rationale for the U.S. publicly traded company that you selected; did not
submit or incompletely indicated the significant factors driving your
decision as a financial manager.

Partially provided a rationale for the U.S.
publicly traded company that you selected; partially indicated the
significant factors driving your decision as a financial manager.

Satisfactorily provided a rationale for the
U.S. publicly traded company that you selected; satisfactorily indicated the
significant factors driving your decision as a financial manager.

Thoroughly provided a rationale for the U.S.
publicly traded company that you selected; thoroughly indicated the
significant factors driving your decision as a financial manager.

2. Determine the profile of the investor for
which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential investors
investment strategy. Provide support for your rationale.
Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely determined
the profile of the investor for which this company may be a fit, relative to
that potential investors investment strategy. Did not submit or incompletely
provided support for your rationale.

Partially determined the profile of the investor
for which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential investors
investment strategy. Partially provided support for your rationale.

Satisfactorily determined the profile of the
investor for which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential
investors investment strategy. Satisfactorily provided support for your
rationale.

Thoroughly determined the profile of the
investor for which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential
investors investment strategy. Thoroughly provided support for your
rationale.

3. Select any five (5) financial ratios that
you have learned about in the text. Analyze the past three (3) years of the
companys financial data, which you may obtain from the companys financial
statements. Determine the companys financial health. (Note: Suggested ratios include, but are not limited to, current
ratio, quick ratio, earnings per share, and price earnings ratio.)
Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely selected any
five (5) financial ratios that you have learned about in the text. Did not
submit or incompletely analyzed the past three (3) years of the companys
financial data, which you may obtain from the companys financial statements.
Did not submit or incompletely determined the companys financial health.

Partially selected any five (5) financial
ratios that you have learned about in the text. Partially analyzed the past
three (3) years of the companys financial data, which you may obtain from
the companys financial statements. Partially determined the companys
financial health.

Satisfactorily selected any five (5)
financial ratios that you have learned about in the text. Satisfactorily
analyzed the past three (3) years of the companys financial data, which you
may obtain from the companys financial statements. Satisfactorily determined
the companys financial health.

Thoroughly selected any five (5) financial
ratios that you have learned about in the text. Thoroughly analyzed the past
three (3) years of the companys financial data, which you may obtain from
the companys financial statements. Thoroughly determined the companys
financial health.

4. Based on your financial review, determine
the risk level of the company from your investors point of view. Indicate
key strategies that you may use in order to minimize these perceived risks.
Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely determined
the risk level of the company from your investors point of view based on
your financial review. Did not submit or incompletely indicated key
strategies that you may use in order to minimize these perceived risks.

Partially determined the risk level of the
company from your investors point of view based on your financial review.
Partially indicated key strategies that you may use in order to minimize
these perceived risks.

Satisfactorily determined the risk level of
the company from your investors point of view based on your financial
review. Satisfactorily indicated key strategies that you may use in order to
minimize these perceived risks.

Thoroughly determined the risk level of the
company from your investors point of view based on your financial review.
Thoroughly indicated key strategies that you may use in order to minimize
these perceived risks.

5. Provide your recommendations of this
stock as an investment opportunity. Support your rationale with resources,
such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the Strayer Library.
Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely provided your
recommendations of this stock as an investment opportunity. Did not submit or
incompletely supported your rationale with resources, such as peer-reviewed
articles or material from the Strayer Library.

Partially provided your recommendations of
this stock as an investment opportunity. Partially supported your rationale
with resources, such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the Strayer
Library.

Satisfactorily provided your recommendations
of this stock as an investment opportunity. Satisfactorily supported your
rationale with resources, such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the
Strayer Library.

Thoroughly provided your recommendations of
this stock as an investment opportunity. Thoroughly supported your rationale
with resources, such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the Strayer
Library.

6. 5 references
Weight: 5%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of
references; some or all references poor quality choices.

Meets number of required references; all
references high quality choices.

Exceeds number of required references; all
references high quality choices.

7. Clarity, writing mechanics, and
formatting requirements
Weight: 10%

More than 6 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present

Other Information about the Financial Research
Report

1. Work Hard to Avoid Personal Pronouns
The excessive use of personal pronouns is discouraged in business and
analytical writing. It is recommended
that personal pronouns are avoided altogether, if possible. Please make sure that personal pronouns (e.g.,
I, we, my, our, etc.) are avoided in paper.
It will take some work, but it can be done easily by rearranging the
wording of sentences.

2. Companies Are Not They or Their
This is a reminder that a company is not a they or their. A company is very much an it. So, to reference a company, use it, the
name of the company, or the company, or the organization, or the firm,
etc.

3. Subheadings Each section of the
paper must begin with a sub-heading.
Please use the sub-headings included in the required outline (presented
in the next section).

4. File Format The writing assignment
report must be submitted in Word file format.
It is acceptable to attach exhibits and appendices in Word or Excel
format. PowerPoint, pdf, and other file
formats are not acceptable and will not be evaluated.

5.
Cover Page – Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the
students name, the professors name, the course title, and the date.

6.
Source of Useful Information – Please remember that financial
statements and other useful information are available from the Mergent Online
database that is available to you through the Strayer University Learning
Resource Center (online). Please notice
that financial ratios are grouped into appropriate categories
(Profitability Ratios, Liquidity Ratios, Debt Management Ratios, and Asset
Management Ratios), which makes it easy to set up the ratios and use them in
the analysis.

The
following information is intended to help you with using the Mergent Online
Database available in the Strayer Learning Resource Center:

Financial
Statements for companies, financial ratios, and Form 10K annual reports can be
obtained from the Strayer University Learning Resource Center, which is
accessible from the Online Classroom (see tab at the top of the screen).

Select
Learning Resource Center
Select
Databases
Select
Mergent Online

Then,
in the block titled Company Search Enter Symbol or Company Name enter the
companys name or its Stock Ticker Symbol (e.g., for Deere & Company, enter
DE). Next, select the company from the
drop-down menu.

For
Financial Statements Select Company Financials tab
For
Financial Ratios Select Company Financials tab and Ratios sub-tab
For
Form 10K Annual Reports Select Filings tab (and then select the most recent
Annual Form 10K report)
III. Assignment and
Rubric: Assignment 1:
Financial Research Report Due Week 10 and Worth 300 pointsImagine that you are a financial manager
researching investments for your client that align with its investment goals.
Use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research any U.S. publicly traded
company that you may consider as an investment opportunity for your client. (Note: Please ensure that you are able
to find enough information about this company in order to complete this
assignment. You will create an appendix, in which you will insert related
information.) The assignment covers the following topics:Write a ten to fifteen (10-15) page paper in
which you:Your assignment must follow these formatting
requirements:The specific course learning outcomes
associated with this assignment are:Grading for this assignment will be based on
answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing
skills, using the following rubric.Points: 300Assignment 1: Financial Research ReportCriteriaUnacceptableBelow 70% FFair70-79% CProficient80-89% BExemplary90-100% A1. Provide a rationale for the U.S. publicly
traded company that you selected, indicating the significant factors driving your
decision as a financial manager.Weight: 15%Did not submit or incompletely provided a
rationale for the U.S. publicly traded company that you selected; did not
submit or incompletely indicated the significant factors driving your
decision as a financial manager.Partially provided a rationale for the U.S.
publicly traded company that you selected; partially indicated the
significant factors driving your decision as a financial manager.Satisfactorily provided a rationale for the
U.S. publicly traded company that you selected; satisfactorily indicated the
significant factors driving your decision as a financial manager.Thoroughly provided a rationale for the U.S.
publicly traded company that you selected; thoroughly indicated the
significant factors driving your decision as a financial manager.2. Determine the profile of the investor for
which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential investors
investment strategy. Provide support for your rationale.
Weight: 15%Did not submit or incompletely determined
the profile of the investor for which this company may be a fit, relative to
that potential investors investment strategy. Did not submit or incompletely
provided support for your rationale.Partially determined the profile of the investor
for which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential investors
investment strategy. Partially provided support for your rationale.Satisfactorily determined the profile of the
investor for which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential
investors investment strategy. Satisfactorily provided support for your
rationale.Thoroughly determined the profile of the
investor for which this company may be a fit, relative to that potential
investors investment strategy. Thoroughly provided support for your
rationale.3. Select any five (5) financial ratios that
you have learned about in the text. Analyze the past three (3) years of the
companys financial data, which you may obtain from the companys financial
statements. Determine the companys financial health. (Note: Suggested ratios include, but are not limited to, current
ratio, quick ratio, earnings per share, and price earnings ratio.)Weight: 20%Did not submit or incompletely selected any
five (5) financial ratios that you have learned about in the text. Did not
submit or incompletely analyzed the past three (3) years of the companys
financial data, which you may obtain from the companys financial statements.
Did not submit or incompletely determined the companys financial health.Partially selected any five (5) financial
ratios that you have learned about in the text. Partially analyzed the past
three (3) years of the companys financial data, which you may obtain from
the companys financial statements. Partially determined the companys
financial health.Satisfactorily selected any five (5)
financial ratios that you have learned about in the text. Satisfactorily
analyzed the past three (3) years of the companys financial data, which you
may obtain from the companys financial statements. Satisfactorily determined
the companys financial health.Thoroughly selected any five (5) financial
ratios that you have learned about in the text. Thoroughly analyzed the past
three (3) years of the companys financial data, which you may obtain from
the companys financial statements. Thoroughly determined the companys
financial health.4. Based on your financial review, determine
the risk level of the company from your investors point of view. Indicate
key strategies that you may use in order to minimize these perceived risks.Weight: 15%Did not submit or incompletely determined
the risk level of the company from your investors point of view based on
your financial review. Did not submit or incompletely indicated key
strategies that you may use in order to minimize these perceived risks.Partially determined the risk level of the
company from your investors point of view based on your financial review.
Partially indicated key strategies that you may use in order to minimize
these perceived risks.Satisfactorily determined the risk level of
the company from your investors point of view based on your financial
review. Satisfactorily indicated key strategies that you may use in order to
minimize these perceived risks.Thoroughly determined the risk level of the
company from your investors point of view based on your financial review.
Thoroughly indicated key strategies that you may use in order to minimize
these perceived risks.5. Provide your recommendations of this
stock as an investment opportunity. Support your rationale with resources,
such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the Strayer Library.Weight: 20%Did not submit or incompletely provided your
recommendations of this stock as an investment opportunity. Did not submit or
incompletely supported your rationale with resources, such as peer-reviewed
articles or material from the Strayer Library.Partially provided your recommendations of
this stock as an investment opportunity. Partially supported your rationale
with resources, such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the Strayer
Library.Satisfactorily provided your recommendations
of this stock as an investment opportunity. Satisfactorily supported your
rationale with resources, such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the
Strayer Library.Thoroughly provided your recommendations of
this stock as an investment opportunity. Thoroughly supported your rationale
with resources, such as peer-reviewed articles or material from the Strayer
Library.6. 5 references Weight: 5%No references providedDoes not meet the required number of
references; some or all references poor quality choices.Meets number of required references; all
references high quality choices.Exceeds number of required references; all
references high quality choices.7. Clarity, writing mechanics, and
formatting requirementsWeight: 10%More than 6 errors present5-6 errors present3-4 errors present0-2 errors presentOther Information about the Financial Research
Report 1. Work Hard to Avoid Personal Pronouns
The excessive use of personal pronouns is discouraged in business and
analytical writing. It is recommended
that personal pronouns are avoided altogether, if possible. Please make sure that personal pronouns (e.g.,
I, we, my, our, etc.) are avoided in paper.
It will take some work, but it can be done easily by rearranging the
wording of sentences.2. Companies Are Not They or Their
This is a reminder that a company is not a they or their. A company is very much an it. So, to reference a company, use it, the
name of the company, or the company, or the organization, or the firm,
etc. 3. Subheadings Each section of the
paper must begin with a sub-heading.
Please use the sub-headings included in the required outline (presented
in the next section).4. File Format The writing assignment
report must be submitted in Word file format.
It is acceptable to attach exhibits and appendices in Word or Excel
format. PowerPoint, pdf, and other file
formats are not acceptable and will not be evaluated.5.
Cover Page – Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the
students name, the professors name, the course title, and the date.6.
Source of Useful Information – Please remember that financial
statements and other useful information are available from the Mergent Online
database that is available to you through the Strayer University Learning
Resource Center (online). Please notice
that financial ratios are grouped into appropriate categories
(Profitability Ratios, Liquidity Ratios, Debt Management Ratios, and Asset
Management Ratios), which makes it easy to set up the ratios and use them in
the analysis.

The
following information is intended to help you with using the Mergent Online
Database available in the Strayer Learning Resource Center:Financial
Statements for companies, financial ratios, and Form 10K annual reports can be
obtained from the Strayer University Learning Resource Center, which is
accessible from the Online Classroom (see tab at the top of the screen).Select
Learning Resource CenterSelect
DatabasesSelect
Mergent OnlineThen,
in the block titled Company Search Enter Symbol or Company Name enter the
companys name or its Stock Ticker Symbol (e.g., for Deere & Company, enter
DE). Next, select the company from the
drop-down menu.For
Financial Statements Select Company Financials tabFor
Financial Ratios Select Company Financials tab and Ratios sub-tabFor
Form 10K Annual Reports Select Filings tab (and then select the most recent
Annual Form 10K report)”