Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)
Staff Analysis
Statement of Problem
HCA, after following a conservative financial policy since its establishment, has entered the new decade preparing to make some changes in order to realign their financial strategy and capital structure. Since establishment, HCA has often been used as a measure for the entire proprietary hospital industry. Is it now time for the market to realign their expectations for the industry as a whole? HCA has target goals which need to be met in order to accomplish milestones in the future. The problem arises as to which area holds priority to the company. HCA must decide how the key components of their financial strategy and policy should my approached in order
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If HCA chooses to remain at the current debt ratio take on a lower rating, suspicion might arise among investors. In both cases opportunities exist as well as consequences. The advantages and disadvantages are outlined in Scenario 1 - 3.
Alternative Solutions (Case Exhibit 1)
Scenario 1 Maintain Current Debt Ratio
This alternative allows HCA to remain at the higher debt ratio and meet both targets for
ROE and the growth rate.
Debt = 69%
ROE = 17.6%
G = 15%
This would also indicate that HCA receives a lower rating. This could prove to be good and bad. In some instances, companies with lower ratings experience a rise in their cost of debt or loss access to the debt market. When Du Pont lost their AAA rating they did not experience any dramatic changes. With the growth rate at 15%, HCA has an opportunity to increase in the future. An ROE of 17.6% signifies efficiency and provides evidence that the company is heading in the right direction.
Scenario 2 Decrease Debt Ratio at all costs
If HCA decreases their debt ratio to 60%, they will retain their A bond rating in exchange for a decline in their ROE (below target) and growth rate.
Debt = 60%
ROE = 15.5%
G = 13%
If maintaining the A rating is HCA's main goal then this is the correct decision, but if HCA is concerned about their growth and what a declining ROE would signal to the
Although the fair value of the investment was lower than the amortized cost, the credit rating had been upgraded from BBB to BBB+, and the investment does not intend to be sold. These evidence show that the bond is expected to recover, so no other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.
This represents a 7% increase in stock price. Further, the additional leverage and return of excess cash to shareholders will significantly increase ROE. If the market determines that an 80% debt capital structure is feasible for BBBY, then we will expect further capital gains as investors applaud shareholder friendly policies and re-examine EPS estimates. However, if top line growth and same store sales growth continue to trend downward, investors may become skeptical of BBBY management’s ability to continue generating over 30% EPS growth, and thus question the ability of the company to service its debt in the future.
Based upon the firm’s low target leverage of 5%, low degree of operating leverage, and favorable credit history and financial outlook, the model assumes a cost of debt in line with AAA corporate debt at 7.02%. This estimate seems reasonable and sensitivity analysis shows a 1% decrease in the forecasted share price requires at least a 2.4% increase in the cost of debt.
When combining the figures for ROE, ROA and the DuPont analysis it appears that the company is using leverage favourably. ROE is greater than ROA and assets are greater than equity. This is a positive sign for shareholders as it suggests a good investment return in a company that is managing its shareholder equity well (Evans & McDowell, 2009).
With different level of the debt of the company according to Exhibit 3, we would predict by comparing to its peer Warner. Lambert Company at 32.4% debt to total capital ratio still maintain at weak AAA level. AHP had much better financial performance e.g. Earnings per Share and Return on Equity. With 50% Debt to Total Equity ratio, AHP may receive lower rating at AA level and we do not expect them to go lower than BBB rating even with 70% Debt to Total Equity
Target Corporation is having a very stable financial policy and dividend policy. From the historical financial data, Target had debt $11,044M, $11,202M, $10,599M, $17,471M, and $19,882M in the year of 2005,2006,2007,2008, and 2009 respectively. The long-term debt/equity ratio rises from 69.34% to 108%.
All this combined with dividend growth of 222% between 1972 - 1981, contributed to the firm's AAA bond rating and to the popularity of AHP's stock among retail and, primarily, institutional investors.It has been financing growth internally while paying out 60% of annual earning as dividends.
this prompted the company was tagged with a Caa rating by Moody's based on an analysis of their financial liquidity, ability to manage maturing debt by refinancing, credit profiles, competition challenges, ownership, and management structure. although they can pull themselves out of this if they do get higher ratings if their liquidity, debt management or other financial metrics improve Financial Statements - Statement of Cash Flows The "key to increasing financial intelligence is" ... " Understanding the difference between profit and cash." ... " A healthy business requires both" (Berman & Knight, 2013, p. 133).
This debt ratio is concerning and hints that the brewery may have difficulty paying its
The ROE in 2014 has reached 15.8% which provides a solid improvement from 14% achieved in 2013. It has also been positively affected by ABC refinancing its debt facilities during 2014 which resulted in lower borrowing margins and increased term, as well as significant operational improvements achieved in line with company strategy focused on reducing costs and maximising margins. Adelaide Brighton’s ROA recorded only minor 0.2% improvement compared to 2013 with rate reaching 14.2%. The EBIT before significant items gains
Because hospital management companies have participated heavily in acquisition recently, there is only a small amount of hospitals left to be acquired in the near future. HCA needs to continue to take over hospitals while they still can. If HCA focuses on its core operations and capital structure instead during this time frame, they will allow their competition to catch up in size while losing the main source of growth for the company which will compromise the company’s position in the long-term. Focusing on the firm’s short-term profitability instead of continuing growth will also affect the pricing of the firm’s equity. Up to this point, investors have been attracted to the consistent growth and quality image that the company is associated with. If the company ceases to acquire new hospitals, investors will become less faithful in the firm and their will be a subsequent drop in equity value. All in all, it is important for HCA to continue pushing forward as an industry leader in growth for the next 3-5 years and then focus on items such as operations and capital structure once their growth has been tapped out at its maximum
Next, looking at the times interest earned, it is very obvious that the numbers are very low compared to the industry average, which is not favorable. A lower times interest earned ratio could indicate that CC may or may not be able to repay their interest and debt. It is not saying that CC will not be able to pay its debt but it could be a sign.
HH’s long term debt/asset ratio was decreasing from 2006 to 2010 and goes up a little bit to 14.82% as shown on the data. However, the total debt ratio were all time above 50% except year 2010. At the end of 2011, HH’s total debt ratio is 57.54% while the long term debt/asset ratio is 14.82%. This tells us that HH has a larger portion in short term debts/ liabilities than long term debts. And as we can see from the consolidated balance sheet,
As always with advantages, disadvantages are present to. They include: an increase in financial risk. Despite the tax shield, the interest payment will result in a decrease to net income, and the bond rating could decrease to a AA status. The bond rating for a AAA is determined by a 18 Times Interest Earned Ratio. Once AMH increases their leverage to 30%, they will decrease their TIE to 17.50. Whereas, a AA is currently rated around a 9, further debt acquisition could result in a decrease of their bond rating and a decrease in value for stockholders. (Calculation: EBIT/Interest= tie ratio 922.2/52.,7=17.50)
In 2014 Hilton saw a $.005 cent decrease in their ability to meet their short term debts. While in the scope of the overall operation this decrease may not seem significant, when related to Hilton’s low current ratio of 1.107, this result does not provide Hilton much cushion in meeting its current liabilities. This may give pause to potential creditors who may question their ability to meet their obligations. This also indicates that Hilton may benefit from varying their financing activities in order to achieve maximum return, obtaining new equity, or, working toward reducing their liabilities.