Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Cost of Capital at Ameritrade Description

Ameritrade Holding Corp. is planning large marketing and technology investments to improve the company's competitive position in deep-discount brokerage by taking advantage of emerging economies of scale. In order to evaluate whether the strategy would generate sufficient future cash flows to merit the investment, Joe Ricketts, chairman and CEO of Ameritrade, needs an estimate of the project's cost of capital. There is considerable disagreement as to the correct cost of capital estimate. A research analyst pegs the cost of capital at 12%, the CFO of Ameritrade uses 15%, and some members of Ameritrade management believe that the borrowing rate of 9% is the rate by which to discount the future cash flows expected to result from the project. There is also disagreement as to the type of business that Ameritrade is in. Management insists that Ameritrade is a brokerage firm, whereas some research analysts and managers of other online brokerage firms suggest that Ameritrade is a technology/Internet firm. To obtain executable spreadsheets (courseware), please contact our customer service department at custserv@hbsp.harvard.edu.

Case Description Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Strategic Managment Tools Used in Case Study Analysis of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

STEP 1. Problem Identification in Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study

STEP 2. External Environment Analysis - PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study

STEP 3. Industry Specific / Porter Five Forces Analysis of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study

STEP 4. Evaluating Alternatives / SWOT Analysis of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study

STEP 5. Porter Value Chain Analysis / VRIO / VRIN Analysis Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study

STEP 6. Recommendations Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study

STEP 7. Basis of Recommendations for Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study

Case Analysis of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Cost of Capital at Ameritrade is a Harvard Business (HBR) Case Study on Finance & Accounting , Texas Business School provides HBR case study assignment help for just $9. Texas Business School(TBS) case study solution is based on HBR Case Study Method framework, TBS expertise & global insights. Cost of Capital at Ameritrade is designed and drafted in a manner to allow the HBR case study reader to analyze a real-world problem by putting reader into the position of the decision maker. Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study will help professionals, MBA, EMBA, and leaders to develop a broad and clear understanding of casecategory challenges. Cost of Capital at Ameritrade will also provide insight into areas such as – wordlist , strategy, leadership, sales and marketing, and negotiations.

Case Study Solutions Background Work

Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study solution is focused on solving the strategic and operational challenges the protagonist of the case is facing. The challenges involve – evaluation of strategic options, key role of Finance & Accounting, leadership qualities of the protagonist, and dynamics of the external environment. The challenge in front of the protagonist, of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade, is to not only build a competitive position of the organization but also to sustain it over a period of time.

Strategic Management Tools Used in Case Study Solution

The Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study solution requires the MBA, EMBA, executive, professional to have a deep understanding of various strategic management tools such as SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.

Texas Business School Approach to Finance & Accounting Solutions

In the Texas Business School, Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study solution – following strategic tools are used - SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.

We have additionally used the concept of supply chain management and leadership framework to build a comprehensive case study solution for the case – Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Step 1 – Problem Identification of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade - Harvard Business School Case Study

The first step to solve HBR Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study solution is to identify the problem present in the case. The problem statement of the case is provided in the beginning of the case where the protagonist is contemplating various options in the face of numerous challenges that Ameritrade Brokerage is facing right now. Even though the problem statement is essentially – “Finance & Accounting” challenge but it has impacted by others factors such as communication in the organization, uncertainty in the external environment, leadership in Ameritrade Brokerage, style of leadership and organization structure, marketing and sales, organizational behavior, strategy, internal politics, stakeholders priorities and more.

Step 2 – External Environment Analysis

Texas Business School approach of case study analysis – Conclusion, Reasons, Evidences - provides a framework to analyze every HBR case study. It requires conducting robust external environmental analysis to decipher evidences for the reasons presented in the Cost of Capital at Ameritrade.

The external environment analysis of Cost of Capital at Ameritrade will ensure that we are keeping a tab on the macro-environment factors that are directly and indirectly impacting the business of the firm.

What is PESTEL Analysis? Briefly Explained

PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study. PESTEL analysis of " Cost of Capital at Ameritrade" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.

How to do PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis? What are the components of PESTEL Analysis?

As mentioned above PESTEL Analysis has six elements – political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal. All the six elements are explained in context with Cost of Capital at Ameritrade macro-environment and how it impacts the businesses of the firm.

How to do PESTEL Analysis for Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

To do comprehensive PESTEL analysis of case study – Cost of Capital at Ameritrade , we have researched numerous components under the six factors of PESTEL analysis.

Political Factors that Impact Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Political factors impact seven key decision making areas – economic environment, socio-cultural environment, rate of innovation & investment in research & development, environmental laws, legal requirements, and acceptance of new technologies.

Policy Making Impact on Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Government policies have significant impact on the business environment of any country. The firm in “ Cost of Capital at Ameritrade ” needs to navigate these policy decisions to create either an edge for itself or reduce the negative impact of the policy as far as possible.

Data safety laws – The countries in which Ameritrade Brokerage is operating, firms are required to store customer data within the premises of the country. Ameritrade Brokerage needs to restructure its IT policies to accommodate these changes. In the EU countries, firms are required to make special provision for privacy issues and other laws.

Competition Regulations – Numerous countries have strong competition laws both regarding the monopoly conditions and day to day fair business practices. Cost of Capital at Ameritrade has numerous instances where the competition regulations aspects can be scrutinized.

Import restrictions on products – Before entering the new market, Ameritrade Brokerage in case study Cost of Capital at Ameritrade" should look into the import restrictions that may be present in the prospective market.

Export restrictions on products – Apart from direct product export restrictions in field of technology and agriculture, a number of countries also have capital controls. Ameritrade Brokerage in case study “ Cost of Capital at Ameritrade ” should look into these export restrictions policies.

Foreign Direct Investment Policies – Government policies favors local companies over international policies, Ameritrade Brokerage in case study “ Cost of Capital at Ameritrade ” should understand in minute details regarding the Foreign Direct Investment policies of the prospective market.

Taxation & Regulation Impact on Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Corporate Taxes – The rate of taxes is often used by governments to lure foreign direct investments or increase domestic investment in a certain sector. Corporate taxation can be divided into two categories – taxes on profits and taxes on operations. Taxes on profits number is important for companies that already have a sustainable business model, while taxes on operations is far more significant for companies that are looking to set up new plants or operations.

Tariffs – Chekout how much tariffs the firm needs to pay in the “ Cost of Capital at Ameritrade ” case study. The level of tariffs will determine the viability of the business model that the firm is contemplating. If the tariffs are high then it will be extremely difficult to compete with the local competitors. But if the tariffs are between 5-10% then Ameritrade Brokerage can compete against other competitors.

Government Scheme & Subsidies Impact on Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Research and Development Subsidies and Policies – Governments often provide tax breaks and other incentives for companies to innovate in various sectors of priority. Managers at Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study have to assess whether their business can benefit from such government assistance and subsidies.

Consumer protection – Different countries have different consumer protection laws. Managers need to clarify not only the consumer protection laws in advance but also legal implications if the firm fails to meet any of them.

Political System & Stability, and its Impact on Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Political System and Its Implications – Different political systems have different approach to free market and entrepreneurship. Managers need to assess these factors even before entering the market.

Freedom of Press is critical for fair trade and transparency. Countries where freedom of press is not prevalent there are high chances of both political and commercial corruption.

Corruption level – Ameritrade Brokerage needs to assess the level of corruptions both at the official level and at the market level, even before entering a new market. To tackle the menace of corruption – a firm should have a clear SOP that provides managers at each level what to do when they encounter instances of either systematic corruption or bureaucrats looking to take bribes from the firm.

Independence of judiciary – It is critical for fair business practices. If a country doesn’t have independent judiciary then there is no point entry into such a country for business.

Government attitude towards trade unions – Different political systems and government have different attitude towards trade unions and collective bargaining. The firm needs to assess – its comfort dealing with the unions and regulations regarding unions in a given market or industry. If both are on the same page then it makes sense to enter, otherwise it doesn’t.

Economic Factors that Impact Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Social Factors that Impact Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Technological Factors that Impact Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Environmental Factors that Impact Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Legal Factors that Impact Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Step 3 – Industry Specific Analysis

What is Porter Five Forces Analysis

PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study. PESTEL analysis of " Cost of Capital at Ameritrade" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.

Step 4 – SWOT Analysis / Internal Environment Analysis

Step 5 – Porter Value Chain / VRIO / VRIN Analysis

Step 6 – Evaluating Alternatives & Recommendations

Step 7 – Basis for Recommendations

References :: Cost of Capital at Ameritrade case study solution