A listed company is planning a share repurchase.
The following data applies
* There are 20 million shares in issue
* The share repurchase will involve buying back 10% of the shares at a price of $1.20
* The company is holding $4.8 million cash
* Earnings for the current year ended are $3.6 million
The Directors are concerned about the impact that this repurchase programme will have on the company's cash balance and current year earnings per share (EPS) ratio.
Advise the directors which of the following statements is correct?

Company Z wishes to borrow $50 million for 10 years at a fixed rate of interest.
Two alternative approaches are being considered:
1. Issue a 10 year bond at a fixed rate of 6%, or
2. Borrow from the bank at Libor +2.5% for a 10 year period and simultaneously enter into a 10 year interest rate swap.
Current 10 year swap rates against Libor are 4.0% - 4.2%.
What is the difference in the net interest cost between the two alternative approaches?

A company has stable earnings of S2 million and its shares are currently trading on a price earnings multiple
{PIE) of 10 times. It has10 million shares in issue.
The company is raising S4 million debt finance to fund an expansion of its existing business which is forecast to increase annual earnings straight away by 25% and then remain at that level for the foreseeable future. The corporation tax rate is 20%. It is expected that the P/E will reduce to 8 times over the next year.
What is the most likely change in shareholder wealth resulting from this plan?

Company C has received an unwelcome takeover bid from Company P.
Company P is approximately twice the size of Company C based on market capitalisation.
Although the two companies have some common business interests, the main aim of the bid is diversification for Company P.
The offer from Company P is a share exchange of 2 shares in Company P for 3 shares in Company C.
There is a cash alternative of $5.50 for each Company C share.
Company C has substantial cash balances which the directors were planning to use to fund an acquisition.
These plans have not been announced to the market.
The following share price information is relevant. All prices are in $.

Which of the following would be the most appropriate action by Company C's directors following receipt of this hostile bid?

A listed company in the retail sector has accumulated excess cash.
In recent years, it has experienced uncertainly with forecasting the required level of cash for capital expenditure due to unpredictable economic cycles.
Its excess cash is on deposit earning negligible returns.
The Board of Directors is considering the company's dividend policy, and the need to retain cash in the company.
Which THREE of the following are advantages of retaining excess cash in the company?