FINC400-Final assignment
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Exxon Mobil: Analyzing Cost of Capital
American Public University FINC 400: Principles of Financial Management
Dr. Ana Machuca
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Exxon Mobil: Analyzing Cost of Capital
Exxon Mobil is one of the largest big oil companies in the world. The company began as
Standard Oil Company in 1882 and has evolved into a brand that is recognized around the world.
The company “engages in the exploration, development, and distribution of oil, gas, and
petroleum products” (Forbes Magazine n.d.). Exxon Mobil Corporation operates in three
segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical. The Upstream division produces crude oil and
natural gas. The manufacturing and trading of petroleum is handled by the Downstream segment.
Exxon Mobil’s Chemical division offers petrochemicals. A company has the option to measure
the cost of capital with a single company-wide method or a divisional method. The risk of each
of these segments may be different, and thus the divisional cost of capital method is
recommended for the Exxon Mobil Corporation.
Cost of Capital
The calculation of a company’s cost of capital represents the return that a company must earn before generating value. “A company’s cost of capital depends, to a large extent, on the type
of financing the company chooses to rely on – its capital structure” (Cost of Capital 2022). Cost of capital involves the cost of both equity and debt. Investors also use a company’s calculations of the cost of capital when evaluating potential investments. Recommendation
As the analyst for Exxon Mobil’s CFO, I recommend not using the single company-wide capital cost method. Using the divisional cost of capital for analyzing capital expenditures in all its business units is my recommendation. Although the single company-wide method is simpler and easier, and allows for prompt decision making, the risks can be catastrophic for companies. Exxon Mobil has separate divisions performing various operations, which requires a unique
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structure for each division. Financial decision making will be more accurately represented by using the divisional method to analyze the capital expenditures of each segment separately. If Exxon Mobil were to use the single company-wide method, future capital projects may not be successful and may jeopardize the company. For example, a capital project created by the calculations may lead to a wrong or misguided decision to be made and this may cause financial ruin to one segment or even the entire corporation. In conclusion, analyzing each Exxon Mobil division separately will lower the risk to the corporation financially.
Divisional Cost of Capital
To evaluate Exxon Mobil’s divisional cost of capital, we would utilize an average cost of capital for each of the divisions separately. It is required to find the cost of equity, cost of debt, and preferred stock cost. The allocation of common stocks can determine the cost of equity for each division. “The cost of equity is most commonly estimated using the CAPM, which links the expected return on a security to its sensitivity to the overall market” (Wall Street Prep 2022). To determine the cost of debt, evaluate all debts and expenses of each division and then use the data to find the average value for each division. The cost of preferred stock is determined using each division’s current revenue of preferred stock. After calculating the weights for the capital evaluation, the current market price is used to find each division’s total capital cost. The weights of various sources from each division of Exxon Mobil are gathered and the CFO will conclude the cost of capital for separate divisions for more accurate financial planning.
Conclusion
Exxon Mobil has the financial ability to acquire other businesses and be a leader of innovation among big oil companies. The divisional cost of capital method displays each division’s capital cost and will enable Exxon Mobil to accurately dictate each division’s level of
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risk. The recommendation of divisional capital cost to analyze each segment separately will help secure Exxon Mobil’s future endeavors.
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References
Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
. Wall Street Prep. (2022, April 1). Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/capm-capital-asset-pricing-model/
Cost of capital
. Corporate Finance Institute. (2022, February 8). Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/finance/cost-of-capital/
Forbes Magazine. (n.d.). ExxonMobil (XOM)
. Forbes. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/companies/exxon-mobil/?sh=6bc204d601f0
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