7. Company Analysis- Business & Governance

Table of Contents

Role of company analysis:

Company analysis involves a comprehensive evaluation of a company’s financial health, management quality, business model, competitive advantages, and risks to assess its investment potential. The objective of company analysis is to help investors make informed decisions about investing in a particular company’s stock or debt.

Understand Business and Business Models

Business refers to the activity of producing or buying and selling goods or services in order to make a living or generate profit. Business models are the strategies that businesses use to make money and generate revenue. These models typically include the combination of products, services, customers, markets, costs, and revenues that the business uses to create value for its stakeholders. A good business model should explain how the business plans to make money and compete with other businesses. By understanding and analyzing a business’s strategy, goals, and operations, business models can be used to identify opportunities for growth and expansion.

Pricing Power and Sustainability of This Power

Pricing power refers to a business’s ability to set prices that customers are willing to pay. The sustainability of this power depends on various factors such as the demand for the product, availability of substitutes, and competition. To maintain pricing power, a business must offer products or services at a price that is both profitable and attractive to customers. Businesses can increase their pricing power by offering high-quality products, building customer loyalty and brand recognition, and understanding customer needs through data analysis. Using pricing strategies like dynamic pricing can also help businesses stay competitive and maximize profits.

Competitive Advantages/Points of Differentiation over the Competitors

Competitive advantages are the unique features, abilities, and resources that give a business an edge over its competitors. This helps the business to succeed in a competitive market by gaining a larger share of customers. These advantages can be having better products or services, the ability to set competitive prices, recognition of the brand, customer loyalty, and access to resources. Points of differentiation refer to specific features or services that are unique to a business and not available or offered as effectively by its competitors. These can be exceptional customer service, innovative products, unique marketing strategies, and personalized offerings.

  1. Product differentiation is a crucial competitive advantage that makes a business stand out from its competitors and attract more customers. It refers to the specific attributes, features, and benefits of a product or service that make it unique and attractive to customers. By offering unique products or services, businesses can gain a competitive edge, capture more market share, and increase profits.
  2. Competitive pricing is another advantage that businesses use to gain an edge over their competitors. This involves setting prices that are competitive with similar products or services offered by other businesses. By offering competitive prices, businesses can attract more customers, grow their customer base, and increase profits.
  3. Execution excellence is an essential competitive advantage that businesses can use to outperform their competitors. This refers to the ability of a company to effectively and efficiently execute its strategies and goals. This can include creating efficient processes and systems, developing a culture of accountability and transparency, and effectively leveraging resources. With excellent execution, businesses can achieve their goals faster and more effectively than their competitors.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis

External environments constantly change. These changes provide new opportunities and the same also create new challenges. When a new opportunity is presented, companies that are well positioned to take advantage of that utilize such opportunities and prosper while others miss out. Similarly, when a new challenge or threat emerges, companies with strong fundamentals survive such challenges. On the other hand, companies that are vulnerable may perish in the face of such a challenge.

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Quality products and services
Positive brand image
Experienced and competent staff
Strong customer base
Wide distribution network
Good financial resources
High-cost structure
Lack of innovation
Limited market presence
Low market share
Poor customer service
Expansion into new markets
Leveraging existing customer base
Acquisitions and mergers
Increased investment in R&D
Exploring new product lines
Competition from new entrants
Changing customer preferences
The increasing cost of raw materials
Regulatory changes
Technological advancements

Quality of Management and Governance Structure

The company has a high-quality management and governance structure. The Board of Directors is actively involved in making decisions and managing the company’s day-to-day operations. They have a diverse background and extensive industry knowledge, which helps them make informed decisions. The company also has a strong executive team that manages the company’s daily operations. The executive team consists of experienced professionals who are well-versed in the industry.

To ensure compliance with internal and external regulations, the company has an internal audit team. They review the company’s operations and ensure that they are conducted in accordance with established regulations. The company has a robust system of internal controls that is regularly updated and reviewed, which helps them manage risks effectively.

Evaluating management competency

Assessing the competency of a company’s management is crucial in determining the success of the organization. One way to evaluate management competency is by analyzing the performance, vision, and leadership of the executive team.

The performance of the executive team can be measured by the company’s growth, financial performance, and customer satisfaction. If a company is experiencing consistent growth and financial success, it’s a good indication of competent management. Additionally, high customer satisfaction shows that the company is meeting the needs of its customers, which can only be achieved through effective management.

The vision of the executive team is another aspect to consider when evaluating management competency. A competent team will have a clear long-term plan for the company and a strategy for achieving its goals. A well-articulated vision will guide the company towards success and ensure that all employees are working towards a common goal.

Finally, leadership is an essential component of competent management. A competent executive team should be able to motivate and inspire employees, manage conflicts effectively, and make difficult decisions that benefit the company. Strong leadership qualities ensure that the company is well-managed and can overcome challenges

Evaluating corporate governance

To assess the corporate governance of a company, it’s important to look at various aspects such as the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, the internal control environment, and the risk management culture. The Board of Directors should be independent and have a clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities. They should have a diverse range of skills and experiences to provide effective oversight of the company’s operations.

The internal audit team is responsible for ensuring that the company’s internal control processes are effective, and they should have the necessary resources and independence to do so. They should report directly to the Board of Directors and be free from any conflicts of interest.

Finally, the risk management culture of the company is essential to ensure that risks are identified and managed effectively. The company should have a clear risk management framework that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, executive management, and employees.

Promoter holdings

To provide a more comprehensive evaluation of promoter holdings, it is important to also consider the history and reputation of the promoters, their track record of corporate governance, and any potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, it is important to analyze any changes in the promoter holdings over time and the reasons for such changes. By taking a holistic approach to evaluating promoter holdings, a more accurate assessment of the strength of the company’s ownership structure can be made.

Risks in the Business

The company faces different types of risks: external risks (economic conditions, competition, government regulations, technological changes), internal risks (personnel turnover, inefficient processes, inadequate resources), and financial risks (liquidity, solvency, capital structure). The company has a strong risk management system in place to identify, assess and mitigate these risks. This helps to minimize the negative impact of the risks on the company’s operations and financial performance. Therefore, the company is well-prepared to manage the risks that arise in its business.

History of credit rating of the company- 

The credit rating of a company is an important measure of its ability to meet financial obligations. A credit rating is assigned by credit rating agencies like Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, and it is based on the company’s financial performance and stability.

Looking at the history of credit ratings can provide insight into the company’s financial health and stability over time. In the case of this company, it has a long-term credit rating of AAA from Moody’s, which is the highest credit rating possible, and a short-term rating of A1 from Standard & Poor’s. These ratings indicate that the company has a strong ability to meet its financial obligations and manage its debt.

ESG framework for company analysis

Using the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework is an effective way to evaluate a company’s performance in terms of its environmental, social, and governance policies and practices. In the case of this company, it has a robust ESG framework that is regularly reviewed and updated. The company has implemented policies and practices to ensure it is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and is taking steps to reduce its environmental footprint.

Moreover, the company has a strong social responsibility program and is committed to supporting its local communities. It is also committed to good corporate governance practices, such as transparency in its operations, which is essential to building trust among stakeholders. Overall, the company’s ESG framework reflects a proactive approach towards sustainability, and its commitment to environmental, social, and governance practices is commendable.

Sources of Information for Analysis

To analyze a company effectively, it’s important to gather information from a variety of sources. Financial statements provide crucial insights into the company’s financial health and performance, while industry reports can help you understand the market and competition. Analyst reports offer expert analysis and forecasts for the company’s future prospects, and press releases provide up-to-date information on the company’s latest developments and announcements. Annual reports can provide information on the company’s strategic direction and overall performance, and company websites offer a window into their products, services, and corporate culture. By considering all of these sources, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the company and make informed investment decisions.

Mock-Test-

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CHAPTER 7- COMPANY ANALYSIS

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1. In which scenario would suppliers have high bargaining power

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2. What are stars in BCG Analysis?

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3. The tyre industry in a country comprised of three organised players and several unorganised players. A sample survey revealed that around 20% of total sales came from unorganised sector. The three major companies reported revenue of Rs 6,000 crore, Rs 8,000 crore and Rs 10,000 crore, respectively, for the year 2019. Which of the following is closest to the fair estimate of overall size of tyre market in that country for the year 2019?

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4. What are some examples of entry barriers for new entrants in a business?

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5. Which of the following is considered as an economic factor in PESTLE analysis?

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6. What does Industry structure in Structure Conduct Performance (SCP) analysis refer to?

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7. Conduct analysis of SCP analysis focuses on which of the following aspects?

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8. Which of the following is included in the performance analysis of SCP analysis?

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9. What kind of industry is considered attractive from shareholders' perspective?

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10. An industry where rivalry is high, the end result will be pricing power and incomes for the industry participants.

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11. What is SCP Analysis?

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12. Which of the following is an example of migration across companies in the same industry?

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13. What is the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement?

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14. The number of buyers and sellers and differentiation in their products/services

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15. What is the full form of STEEPLED?

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16. Why is it important for a business to know about political factors in a country where it is planning to do business?

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17. Which of the following taxes is a tool used by governments to encourage or discourage certain businesses?

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18. What is PESTLE Analysis?

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19. What is the full form of BCG in BCG Matrix?

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20. What is the first step in the marketing research process?

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21. What are cash cows in BCG Analysis?

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22. What are the key constraining factors in SCP analysis?

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23. Which of the following is included in the structure analysis of SCP analysis?

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24. Which of the following is not an example of a direct tax?

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25. Who can exert a lot of pressure and dictate prices, if there are a large number of sellers with similar products/services?

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26. What determines the bargaining power of suppliers in an industry?

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27. Why is it important for analysts to pay attention to the regulatory aspects of businesses?

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28. In which scenario would buyers have high bargaining power?

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29. What is the reason for the introduction of the fat tax by the government of Kerala in 2017?

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30. Which of the following is not included in PESTLE Analysis?

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31. What is SWOT Analysis used for?

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32. What is the purpose of cess in India?