A division of finance that deals in the financing, investment decision, and capital structuring is termed as Corporate Finances. These finances comprise of the tools and analysis for the utilization and proper distribution of financial resources.
Corporate finances help gain the shareholder's maximum value for the money they had invested in the company, whose financial aspects are adequately handled by the management. It is the sole responsibility of the management to ensure that the shareholders receive the maximum return in the form of increased share prices and dividends. Nature of Corporate Finances differs from company to company and mainly depends on the area in which the company deals in.
Three factors that majorly affect the Corporate Finances of a Company are:
- Investments and Capital Budget: It basically includes the planning of placing the long-term capital assets of the company to generate maximum returns with risk-adjusted. Investments and capital budgeting mainly comprise of opting an investment opportunity with the help of extensive financial analysis. A company with the help of investments and capital budgeting identifies capital expenditures, compares planned investments, decides the project to include in the budget, and estimates cash flows.
- Capital Financing: Capital financing helps make decisions on how to finance capital investment in a better way with the help of business’ equity, debt, or both. The stocks of the company can be sold or debts can be introduced in the markets with the help of investment banks to receive long-term funding for capital investments. Equity and debt must be balanced and closely managed since too much of debt can result in the increased risk of default repayment. Whereas, dependency on equity may result in dilution of earnings and value for original investors.
- Dividends and Capital Return: This helps decide whether excess earnings in the business should be retained for future investments and operational requirements or whether it should be distributed to shareholders in the form of dividends or share buybacks. For business expansion, funds from retained earnings can be used since they are not distributed back to the shareholders. If a return rate on capital investment greater than Company’s capital cost can be earned, managers might pursue it, else, should be returned in the form of dividends or share buybacks.