Corporate Issuers and Equity Valuation

This book is your complete roadmap for two of the most critical subjects in the CFA curriculum. We cover everything you need to know in a clear and organized way. Let's start with Corporate Issuers. You will learn the ins and outs of dividends and share repurchases, understanding how companies return value to shareholders. We then explore the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in modern investment analysis. You'll see how these non-financial factors can significantly impact a company's value. The guide dives into advanced topics for the cost of capital, making complex calculations feel simple and intuitive. We also unpack the strategic details of corporate restructuring, such as mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs. After building that strong corporate finance foundation, we pivot to the heart of the curriculum: Equity Valuation. We begin with its core applications and processes, giving you a solid framework. You will master discounted dividend valuation (DDM). We then build on that with comprehensive lessons on free cash flow (FCF) valuation models. You'll learn to use market-based price and enterprise value multiples like a seasoned analyst. The book also simplifies the theory behind residual income valuation. To round things out, we tackle the specific challenges and nuances of valuing private companies. Each chapter is concise and focused on exam success.

Why choose this book over others? Many study guides are either too dense and academic or too brief and superficial. They can leave you overwhelmed with theory or underprepared for complex exam questions. This book strikes the perfect balance. We bridge the critical gap between complex financial theory and the practical, applicable knowledge you need to pass. Instead of just throwing formulas at you, we explain the intuition behind them. Our goal is to help you think like an analyst, not just memorize information. This approach ensures you can tackle any question the exam throws at you, even the tricky, scenario-based ones. We cut through the noise and focus squarely on the high-yield topics, building your confidence and providing a clear, efficient path to mastering the material. It’s the practical edge you've been looking for.

Disclaimer: The author of this book has no affiliation with the CFA Institute. This publication is independently produced and is not endorsed, sponsored, or approved by the CFA Institute. The content is created under the principles of nominative fair use.