Author Profile
Lipson, Marc L.
Crocs, Inc., 2022: Déjà Vu All Over Again
Loutskina, Elena; Lipson, Marc L.; Rayaji, Abanikash
F-2066 | Published January 30, 2024 | 18 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case introduces Andrew Rees, CEO of Crocs, Inc., who is facing a challenge following the COVID-19 pandemic. Crocs had performed exceptionally well during the pandemic lockdowns: core product reve... Read More
Harley-Davidson, Inc.: The Reverse Yankee Bond Issue
Lipson, Marc L.; O'Brien, Robby
F-2046 | Published July 07, 2023 | 14 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Harley-Davidson Inc. (Harley-Davidson), the storied maker of iconic American motorcycles, was on the cusp of issuing its first bond not denominated in US or Canadian dollars—a so-called Reverse Yankee... Read More
Apple Inc.: The Second Green Bond
Lipson, Marc L.; O'Brien, Robby
F-2022 | Published January 06, 2023 | 15 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Lisa Jackson, vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple Inc. (Apple) and, previously, the first African American administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, was p... Read More
Dumbarton Bearing Supply, LLC: Recognizing Real Options
F-1990 | Published August 25, 2021 | 7 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Angus MacIntyre, CEO of Dumbarton Bearing Supply, LLC (Dumbarton), is deciding whether to introduce a new ceramic ball-bearing product line and whether to produce those bearings by refitting an existi... Read More
Wilson Family Foundation
F-1899 | Published February 28, 2020 | 10 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
An up-and-coming staffer at a small family foundation was considering whether to recommend a corporate bond investment to the foundation's investment committee. Her exploration was inspired by an arti... Read More
Financial Analytics Toolkit: Financial Statement Forecasting
F-1928 | Published December 04, 2019 | 8 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
Managers need to be comfortable with financial statement forecasting. Forecasts allow managers to plan properly by weighing consequences and preparing for outcomes. A less-recognized but equally impor... Read More
Traverse Bank
F-1929 | Published December 04, 2019 | 7 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case follows a senior loan officer who is reviewing requests from two customers of the bank to raise their credit limits. The two businesses are alike in many ways, but the loan officer believes ... Read More
Financial Analytics Toolkit: Ratio Analysis
F-1897 | Published September 30, 2019 | 8 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
This note describes the most common financial ratios and how they provide insight into firm performance. The emphasis is on how ratios summarize operating behaviors and results in ways that facilitate... Read More
Financial Analytics Toolkit: Cash Flow Projections
F-1896 | Published September 24, 2019 | 7 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
This note reviews the basics of projecting cash flows for a typical operating decision. To find the economic consequences of any decision, one needs to project the cash flow effects of that decision a... Read More
IEX Group, Inc.
Lipson, Marc L.; Fernstrom, Aaron
F-1876 | Published September 13, 2019 | 24 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
At the start of 2018, Brad Katsuyama and his leadership team at the Investors Exchange (IEX) had much to be proud of - and much to worry about - as they contemplated the rollout of their latest innova... Read More
Roku, Inc.: Initial Public Offering
F-1855 | Published August 07, 2019 | 19 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
In September 2017, a senior portfolio manager at Portland Capital Management had all her attention focused on the upcoming initial public offering (IPO) of Roku, Inc. The company had just updated its ... Read More
Financial Analytics Toolkit: Weighted Average Cost of Capital
F-1850 | Published July 16, 2019 | 7 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
Central to a firm’s long-term success, is allocating capital so that it generates economic value. The two most common decision rules based on economic value are to (i) accept proposals that have a pos... Read More
BE Oil
Murphy, Daniel; Lipson, Marc L.
GEM-0161 | Published August 20, 2018 | 5 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Quentin Bell, the owner of a small oil extraction firm, BE Oil, owns the rights to drill on six different wells. Drilling requires substantial up-front costs, and each well has different drilling cost... Read More
Nordgold: All-In Sustaining Costs
C-2412 | Published August 15, 2018 | 13 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Understanding the economics of gold mining had always been a challenge. Gold mines were long-lived assets that required substantial capital investments both to identify and gain access to mineral ore ... Read More
Langtry Falls Expansion Plan
F-1804 | Published July 25, 2018 | 5 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
It was generally accepted that the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for a company reflected an appropriate hurdle rate (minimum return or benchmark) for that company’s investments. But a WACC f... Read More
Crocs: On Rough Water
Loutskina, Elena; Gupta, Gaurav; Fairchild, Gregory B.; Lipson, Marc L.
F-1811 | Published April 24, 2018 | 19 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case introduces Ron Snyder, CEO of Crocs, Inc., in 2007, a few years after Crocs went public on the NASDAQ in the largest shoe offering ever. Investor excitement at the time had been palpable—the... Read More
Akron Crane Works: The Insourcing Proposal
F-1839 | Published April 23, 2018 | 6 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
The Tower and Lattice division of Akron Crane Works is considering investing in a small machine shop in order to insource production of a wide range of small parts. The purpose is to lower costs and a... Read More
H. J. Heinz: Estimating the Cost of Capital in Uncertain Times (RUSSIAN)
F-1943 | Published November 08, 2017 | 8 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This is a Russian translation of the January 6, 2016, version of UVA-F-1634. Given recent changes in market conditions and ongoing market uncertainty, an internal financial analyst at Heinz must estim... Read More
Central Express Trucking
F-1768 | Published March 14, 2017 | 11 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
The CEO of Central Express Trucking (CXT), was preoccupied as he drove to work one morning in late October 2013. Diesel fuel prices had been a constant concern at the trucking company he had started 2... Read More
Danaher Corporation: The Hach SL1000 Portable Parallel Water Analyzer
S-0261 | Published May 26, 2016 | 15 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
The Hach subsidiary of global science and technology leader Danaher Corporation was about to introduce an innovative handheld water quality testing device: the SL1000 Portable Parallel Analyzer. There... Read More
Hightrek Inc.
F-1748 | Published February 08, 2016 | 2 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
A small manufacturer of camping gear is considering a new product that would expand its market. The product is a portable “hoophouse” that would allow people to begin planting gardens earlier in the s... Read More
Blue Ridge Bike and Hike
F-1749 | Published February 08, 2016 | 5 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
A small chain of retail stores selling outdoors equipment, Blue Ridge Bike and Hike (Blue Ridge) was expanding rapidly. The finance manager had to develop a financial plan for accommodating this growt... Read More
Surface Systems
F-1747 | Published February 08, 2016 | 3 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Despite the steady growth of tennis interest worldwide (in 2011, the Women’s Tennis Association’s top 10 players were all from different countries), the manufacture of acrylic surface materials for ha... Read More
Panera Bread Company (SPANISH)
F-1827 | Published January 26, 2016 | 8 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This is a Spanish translation of the September 3, 2009 version of UVA-F-1575. As 2007 drew to a close, Panera Bread Company faced a new challenge. To date, it had relied on retained earnings and minor... Read More
Medfield Pharmaceuticals
Mead, Jenny; Lipson, Marc L.; Harris, Jared D.
F-1636 | Published November 14, 2011 | 13 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Susan Johnson, founder and CEO of Medfield Pharmaceuticals, is faced with conflicting recommendations for extending the patent life of the company’s flagship product, Fleximat, scheduled to go off pat... Read More
Geo Tech
F-1650 | Published August 16, 2011 | 6 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
The founder of a U.S. provider of geographic information system services focused on sustainability must decide whether to open a Canadian facility. The facility would be in operation for five years an... Read More
Vale SA
Gholampour, Vahid; Lipson, Marc L.
F-1633 | Published July 11, 2011 | 11 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
At the start of 2010, major global iron ore producer Vale must choose one of three currencies in which to issue new bonds. While generally a good time for firms to issue debt, market conditions varied... Read More
H. J. Heinz: Estimating the Cost of Capital in Uncertain Times
F-1634 | Published November 08, 2010 | 8 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Given recent changes in market conditions and ongoing market uncertainty, an internal financial analyst at Heinz must estimate the company's weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Data for both Hein... Read More
Kelly Solar
Lichtendahl, Kenneth C. Jr.; Bodily, Samuel E.; Lipson, Marc L.
F-1614 | Published January 29, 2010 | 3 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
A small start-up company must make additional investments to maximize its firm value. But the company owner will not make this investment unless she can renegotiate outstanding debt claims. Solving th... Read More
Capital Structure and Value
F-1611 | Published December 21, 2009 | 9 pages. Exercise
Collection: Darden School of Business
This exercise leads students through the essential logic linking capital structure and firm value. It begins with a nontax benchmark, then proceeds through valuations with tax deductibility based on (... Read More
Carded Graphics, LLC: Sheeter Replacement Decision
Mastelli, Irene; Lipson, Marc L.
F-1606 | Published November 05, 2009 | 14 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
A growing folding carton company is contemplating the replacement of an old machine with a new one. The case challenge is to develop a cash flow forecast and determine the proper discount rate for the... Read More
Portfolio Selection and the Capital Asset Pricing Model
F-1604 | Published September 18, 2009 | 6 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
In the context of determining an optimal portfolio to recommend to two hypothetical investors, this structured analysis leads students through a series of steps examining return data for three stocks.... Read More
Economic Exposure
F-1603 | Published September 09, 2009 | 10 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
This note describes the economic exposure that arises from changes in currency exchange rates. After illustrating the economic impact of exchange rate changes, including a discussion of real exchange ... Read More
FedEx Corp. versus United Parcel Service of America, Inc.: Who Will Deliver Returns from China?
Bruner, Robert F.; Carr, Sean; Lipson, Marc
F-1601 | Published September 03, 2009 | 14 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
In early 2006, the anticipated expansion of package delivery services in China provided a great opportunity for the two package delivery giants FedEx and UPS. It was unclear which of these firms would... Read More
Pittinos Financial Advisers, LLC
F-1599 | Published August 24, 2009 | 10 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
The owner of a small financial services firm is evaluating the performance of four funds to determine whether to offer them to his clients. The funds span a variety of objectives and include a recentl... Read More
Crocs, Inc.
Gupta, Gaurav; Lipson, Marc L.
F-1589 | Published August 20, 2009 | 14 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case forces students to examine the drivers of value, particularly growth and margins. It is also effective at drawing attention to the relationship between terminal value assumptions and value c... Read More
Monsanto Company
F-1597 | Published August 20, 2009 | 9 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Monsanto is facing an uncertain near-term financial outlook, and this case challenges students to generate an operating forecast (income statement and balance sheet operating accounts). The case natur... Read More
Clear, Complete, and Concise: Avoiding the Seven Deadly Sins of Analytic Writing
BC-0221 | Published April 24, 2009 | 11 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
Effective, persuasive analytical writing is a critical management skill. This note trains students to write to the needs and expectations of their readers with objectivity and efficiency, whether they... Read More
Milagrol Ltda.
F-1578 | Published April 03, 2009 | 10 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
A privately held U.S. plumbing parts manufacturer is negotiating the purchase of a Brazilian plumbing manufacturer specializing in water conservation. The case provides sufficient information to value... Read More
Panera Bread Company
F-1575 | Published December 31, 2008 | 7 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
As 2007 drew to a close, Panera Bread Company faced a new challenge. To date, it had relied on retained earnings and minor equity infusions to finance operations. But a decline in margins would limit ... Read More
Hedged Cost of Funds and Interest Rate Arbitrage
F-1565 | Published October 03, 2008 | 13 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
This technical note provides an overview of interest rate parity and the hedged cost of international borrowings. The note describes the essential steps to hedge international borrowings with forward ... Read More
Parity Conditions in International Markets
F-1572 | Published August 19, 2008 | 16 pages. Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
This note reviews the four central parity conditions that underlie most theories regarding the relationship between exchange rates, inflation, and interest rates. The concepts are illustrated through ... Read More
MCI Communications Corp.: Capital Structure Theory (B)
West, June A.; Platten, Miriam; Lipson, Marc L.
F-1534 | Published November 14, 2007 | 2 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
After five months of a fairly relaxed work schedule, Katzu Mizuno found himself wrapped up in an intense analysis. A first-year associate at Lynch Investments, Mizuno had received a morning phone call... Read More
Alliance Concrete: Just One More Thing
F-1535 | Published July 09, 2007 | 5 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
After having negotiated major financial and operating decisions with its parent company, the CFO of this small ready-mix concrete subsidiary is asked to provide a valuation of the subsidiary. A one-ye... Read More
Alliance Concrete
F-1527 | Published May 02, 2007 | 6 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
While preparing a financial forecast, the newly promoted CFO of a small and profitable but financially constrained ready-mix concrete company must choose between renegotiating debt obligations, postpo... Read More
Baker Adhesives
F-1516 | Published January 25, 2007 | 6 pages. Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
A small adhesives company faces exchange rate risks as it makes its first foray into international sales. The receipt of payment from an unhedged foreign-currency-denominated past sale illustrates pot... Read More