Corning
Corning
Corning
What accounts for the changes in valuation in Corning stock in Exhibit 2? In your assessment could Cornings troubles have been forecasted before 2001? a. Evaluating Cornings valuation in the late 1990s and 2002. b. Discuss the impact of internet traffic growth. c. How do you explain reaction in market? Discuss relevance of market efficiency concept. 2. Evaluate Cornings financing strategy. How has the firm raised capital in the past? a. Discuss financial history of Corning. b. Implications of debt covenants c. Implication of cash position
3. Why does Corning need to raise capital? Why might it be difficult or undesirable to raise equity, given its financial leverage and credit rating? What is the debt overhang problem? Why might it be difficult or undesirable to raise equity, even if its financial leverage were lower? a. Why do you think raising capital in distress is difficult? b. Should Corning raise funds through debt or equity? c. Discuss debt overhang problem, agency issues, signalling and market efficiency concepts is explaining your choice. 4. Why is JP Morgan proposing this particular security? Who are the likely buyers? 5. Draw a payoff diagram for the convertible security in Exhibit 10. Would you buy the Corning convertible preferred shares at par? If your answer is yes, what other investments, if any, would you make concurrently? 6. What are the risks of this offering for Corning? 7. What should Flaws do?
Corning needs to raise the capital to repay the debt which it has raised previously and cover the losses and to fund itself for working capital and capital expenditures. The company is caught in the debt overhang where in the company is facing liquidity crunch and both the equity and debt holders are reluctant to lend money to corning.