The Financial Engineer's Most Versatile Tool Dissertation - 1

The Financial Engineer's Most Versatile Tool - Dissertation Example The EPS graph of the company has been shown for a five year period to highlight the rise in the earnings per share due to a stock repurchase program. The deterioration in the important financial ratios like interest coverage, return etc has also been shown with the help of suitable graphs. An announcement of a share repurchase by a company is valued highly by the market participants interpreting it as a ‘buy signal’ for its stock. So the company has good reasons to buy-back its stocks but sometimes these share buyback programs go awry. Despite the popularity of such programs as evident from the recent buyback deals, there are concerns whether the firm or the shareholders derive any gains from it. One reason favoring the buyback deal is that at any point of time the surplus cash lying with the management can be used for buyback of shares thereby returning the funds to the shareholders. It has been seen that idle cash makes the managers complacent so buying back of shares can be one way of instilling confidence among the investors. From the viewpoint of the company stock buyback results in increased Earnings per share (EPS), share price and increases the value of â€Å"executive stock options† (Ogilvie, 2006, p.51). However, the share buyback strategy can be dangerous if the company finances the buyback of equities using borrowed funds. Financing buyback using loan stock may look tempting in the short term but some years down the line the company has to pay back the loan. In the event of an economic recession, the company will have to struggle with fund shortage. A rise in the share price, the increase in company EPS are all good signs but not at the cost of endangering the position of the company in the future. The board of directors must keep the interests of the shareholders in mind while considering share buyback programs. Significant research has been conducted especially in the area of share repurchases.  

Strategic Management and Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 7

Strategic Management and Leadership - Essay Example There are around 26,000 people employed under the company in worldwide market segments. The company has made adequate investments in the segments of production facilities and ‘Research and Development’ (R&D) facilities with the aim of ensuring that innovative along with better quality cars are provided to global customers. Subsequently, the company with the assistance of R&D facilities is able to conduct business operations in an effective manner (Jaguar Land Rover Limited, 2014). The success of a company is based on the facts that business objectives are accomplished in accordance with desired business outcomes. In this regard, Jaguar Land Rover has been performing business operations in the worldwide market segments with quality products. The prime focus of the company is in the area of quality, innovation, design and technology, which have assisted in enhancing market share, customer base as well as production line. Subsequently, the company is identified to develop new product types which include F-TYPE along with a new variety of Range Rover. The company has been selling different variety of cars that include luxury saloons, four wheeler off-road vehicles and spots cars in almost 178 countries (Bloomberg, 2014). The customers are recognised to be the prime consideration for the success of the company. The company has been making investments in R&D facilities with the intention of providing products in accordance with the expectations of the customers. In this respect, the company has invested around  £2 billion during the period 2013 with the intention of developing production facility, infrastructure and product development (Jaguar Land Rover, 2013). Jaguar Land Rover had employed around 3,000 additional employees during the year 2013. Subsequently, the company with the assistance of its employees, dealers and supply chain networks has been able to provide around 374,636 cars i.e. 23% above from the

Life of Pi Animals Essay Example for Free

Life of Pi Animals Essay Acting and speaking before THINKING, this goes back to a humans’ primitive stage. We are all animals, in the sense that we are mammals. Manifested through our psyche or personality, each animal has a different representation. From personality traits, behavior or even symbolism, animals have the ability to portray these features in humans. In Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, four distinct animals are manifested in the main character’s (Pi Patel)spirit. These four animals a zebra, which symbolizes the struggle to survive and docility, the orangutan – a nurturing mother personality, the hyena for desperation and evil, then lastly the tiger, Richard Parker which represents perseverance and companionship. When one visits the zoo, the most submissive creature there to see is the zebra. Marked with bold black and white stripes to show endurance, the zebra is still indecisive and unassertive. Relating back to Pi Patel, even from the beginning of the novel he cannot make up his mind about which religion to follow. This shows when his indetermination leads him from being a Muslim, to Hinduism, to Christianity. Also, as the hyena attacks the zebra for food, the animal strives to defend himself by thrashing about the boat. Severely wounded and painfully struggling to fight the battle, zebras determination to stay alive and survive the attack from the hyena. This is also a small wake up call to Pi who is also growing weak day in and day out while a hungry Bengal tiger sleeps only a few feet away. However the need to survive and the life of force is a character trait that the zebra and Pi Patel have in common, not to mention uncertainty.

Barack Obama Essay Example for Free

Barack Obama Essay There is no doubt that President Barack Hussein Obama II has received much attention and interest from not only the United States, but international. He is not only praised because of his skin color, but because of the values he believes in and what he stands for. He represents something the country has needed for a long time. During his 2008 campaign for US president, he embodied the very meaning of the word â€Å"hope†. Obama’s election was truly revolutionary. His story can been considered a huge milestone in the United States’ history. The very fact that Barack Obama was voted in, and by a very large margin, shows proof that the country has abandoned its usual ideas on who is â€Å"fit† to run in high office. Barack’s multi-cultural background serves to represent the melting pot America is. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Kenyan father, Barack Obama Sr., and Stanley Ann Dunham, a Caucasian woman from Wichita, Kansas. He has gone through many hurdles and has climbed his way up a focused political ambition ladder. Being the first president of African American descent to the illustrious United States and also his many achievements have made him a person of much respect and high admiration. Obama’s presidency has gone through a series of success and accomplishments. After being elected, he successfully passed many legislations, such as the healthcare bill. The bill aimed for offering tremendous coverage while providing an affordable healthcare. Barrack’s presidency is also branded by other victories such as the $787 billion Stimulus Bill. The passing of this bill took place one month later after succeeding the presidency from George W. Bush. The stimulus bill helped boost the staggering economy. Two years later, he passed the Wall Street Reform to regain control of the economy after its practices which caused the Great Recession. This law tightens capital requirements on large banks and other financial institutions, requires that large banks provide â€Å"living wills† to avoid hectic bankruptcies, limits their ability to trade with customers’ money for their own profit, and creates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to catch abusive lending products and companies. He was heavily praised for ending the War in Iraq. All U.S. military forces were ordered out of the country, with the last troops leaving on December 18, 2011. With new policies, diplomacy, and rhetoric, he reversed a sharp decline in world opinion toward the U.S. during the Bush years. From 2008 to 2011, favorable opinion toward the United States rose in ten of fifteen countries surveyed by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, with an average increase of 26 percent. To summarize, Obama, with his qualities accompanied with key factors such as human approach, empathy, positive attitude, courage to take risk, and bravery to face challenges is a great leader, particularly for the US and generally for the world. His background and experiences in life, united with vibrant qualities of a good leader, make him a wonderful role model and universally acceptable. References: Glastris, Paul, Ryan Cooper, and Siyu Hu. Obama’s Top 50 Accomplishments. The Washington Monthly. N.p., Mar.-Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Aug. 2013. Barack Obama. Organizing for Action. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2013. http://www.barackobama.com/about/barack-obama?source=footer-nav

A Well Detailed Spiral Model Information Technology Essay

A Well Detailed Spiral Model Information Technology Essay The life cycle model most likely preferred or suitable for Sales Order Despatch Application system would be the Spiral Life Cycle Model. The Spiral Life Cycle Model is a software development approach combining elements of both design and prototyping in a much more comprehensive and understandable stages. The spiral life cycle combines the iterative nature of prototyping with the controlled and systematic aspects of the waterfall model, therein providing the potential for rapid development of incremental versions of the software. In this model the software is developed in a series of incremental releases with the early stages being either paper models or prototypes. Later iterations become increasingly more complete versions of the product. A WELL DETAILED SPIRAL MODEL The spiral life cycle model typically contains 6 task regions: i. Customer Communication ii. Planning iii. Risk Analysis iv. Engineering v. Construction and Release vi. Customer Evaluation All the above mentioned tasks has to be addressed during the development of the Sales Order Despatch Application. 1.1 Customer Communication This task region basically has to do with knowing the customer and establishing an effective communication and gathering the requirements of the system to be developed. Customers therefore would be referred to as the management of the Sales Order Despatch System. These requirements can be gathered using several fact finding techniques. The techniques used for this system would be: Questionnaires A survey will be simply carried out on selected Sales Order Despatch Application current workers. This survey would help us understand what the end users of the SODA would want from the new system. And by placing any current problems they are facing as at the time the survey is being carried out can help in enhancing the new system and tackling such problems in the new system. Interviews In this particular fact finding technique, different levels of workers and bodies of the organisation would be interviewed in order to get a suitable and preferable view of the system to be implemented. Such problems being faced in the current system also need to be addressed, and those problems must be surpassed by the new computerized system. The most important people who would be interviewed would be the Managing Director of Fizzypop Plc and major end-users of FizzyPop plc in charge of the day to day activities. The purposes of these fact findings are to understand the functional and non-functional requirements of the system. 1.2 Planning Once all the necessary information is gathered through the interviews and questionnaires, they should be addressed as requirements. Also the system must be developed within a limited time and budget. In this stage an initial budget will be built to get a rough idea on what the final cost will be to implement the system. This initial cost will vary from the final budget due to many changing factors. Also a deadline must be given by the restaurant as to when they want the system implemented. A Gantt chart must be developed to monitor the progress of the system. This will ensure that the system is finished and delivered on time. This a view of the gantt chart which the developers and analysers will use to monitor the progress of the system to be developed: 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 Here are the functional requirements identified for the system: Functional Requirements Functional requirements are the requirements needed for the new computerized system to function properly. The following are the functional requirements for the Sales Order Despatch Application system: * Allow the end-user to specify the customers soft drinks and delivery requirements via an intranet web page. * Able to edit, add to the job sheet online. * Allowing staff and management to view and produce reports of packaged items, via their internal networking infrastructure (i.e., their intranet). * Customers order is been verified against current capacity, stock availability and delivery dates. * Receive confirmation of the delivery date and related billing information * The information system needs to be integrated with their current customer and distribution database. * The system will, from time to time, provide the company with detailed reports of customer profiles (number of customers, types of drink purchased, and current revenue). * 1.3 Risk Analysis In this particular task region, all possible risks to be encountered are been identified. A risk probability impact matrix should be also put up in order to understand the effects of the risks better. Whereby Risk categories have been divided in to 2 sections, namely Technological and Management, and here are examples of such risks: * Management Risks o Computer illiteracy within end-users o Takes time for end users to be comfortable with the change of initial system to current system o Misuse of developed system might lead to unnecessary expenditure on maintenance o Lack of team Support o Inadequate time to complete project o Inadequate funds/ Final expenses higher than initial budget o Disclosure of company information * Technological Risks o Power Failures are vulnerable to loss of data o Due to improper management Data Corruption / Loss of Data can occur o There might be Intruder Attacks from hackers. o Hardware Failures. o The Rapid evolving and change in software. Initially after getting all the risks for the system, it has been noted down that the following risks that have an actual threat to the SODA system are mentioned below: * Inadequate time to complete project * Inadequate funds/ Final expenses higher than initial budget * Data Corruption / Loss of Data * Intruder Attacks * Hardware Failures * Misuse of Equipment 1.4 Engineering: This task region is to design the system with the gathered requirements information using selected tools and coding techniques selected. A sample prototype can be designed as well in this stage. The programming language that can be used to develop the Sales Order Despatch Application SODA could be Java and ASP.NET Since java is a very popular programming language with its own GUI. While ASP.NET is a web based programming language which is also platform independent with JAVA therefore it would be easy making future amendments to the system, in case the system hardware is changed or ready to be reviewed again. SQL server 2008 can be used to create the database for the Bottling companies. It is easier to create and link tables and create queries using SQL server 2008 and will be able to handle all customer and bottling information, including record keeping of customers visiting the website. 1.5 Construction and Release This is the stage where the prototype of the system that was initially designed in the previous stage would be brought into life by coding the system. Once the coding is carried out, the system has to test to see if it meets all the requirements. Testing can be done using sample of test cases and then the actual output is matched against the expected output of the above mentioned system. Once we are through with testing and it meets the given expectations, the final documentation is prepared along with a training manual showing the customer on how to use the system. Technical support will also be provided along with the training manual. 1.6 Customer Evaluation This is the task region whereby feedback is been gotten from the management of FizzyPop Plc. Whether or not the developed system is up to their expectations is learned in this stage. This could be determined as the final stage of the project if the system is acceptable by the FizzyPop plc. But. If it is not accepted therefore you have to case it is back to task region one, Customer communication, by getting the information needed to do amendments and understanding what the customer wants in the system. QUESTION 2 The goal of every software engineer in software engineering is gaining durability for quality products depending on the attributes of such products. There are laid down set of qualities specifically linked with system dependability attributes such as security, safety, fault tolerance; quality that makes for convenience of use, such as usability, adaptability, and clarity; and quality that facilitates and makes future upgrades and maintenance easy. There is some agreement about the attributes that define software quality and dependability over a range of products. These definitions provide the base knowledge from which individual quality products are planned, engineered, analysed, measured, and enhanced. There are many dependability measurement attributes that could be applied to the SODA system, but only few of such attributes of dependability measurements would be described below. These attributes have been selectively chosen due to its high contribution to Sales Order Despatch Application SODA namely: 1. Efficiency/ Performance of the system 2. Accuracy 3. Dependability 4. Usability 2.2Efficiency/ Performance of the system Performance/ Efficiency of a system, is a set of attributes that bear on the relationship between the level of performance of the software and the amount of resources used and under stated conditions. Resources may include other software, hardware, services of operating and users for maintenance and operation. This attribute have 2 major features namely: Time and resource behaviours. And if a processing results requires a very high performing processor and lots or RAM to display the processed result under 3 seconds, that is an indication of poor resource performance. In other words even if the processed results are accurate to its single term, it still requires excess time and resources, it will simply affect the overall quality of the system. . 2.1 Accuracy Accuracy is an attribute of software that deals with the provision of right or agreed results and its effects. The question to be figured out next is how accurate the system performs. For example, the user enters drink specification Mountain dew using the Add function in the database, and the system displays results for Drink specification of only Mirinda or Malta , that indicates an inaccurate system. This happens due to poor programming and system designing. Overall an inaccurate system means the quality of software is poor and therefore the end-users (FizzyPop plc) will not be pleased with the entire software. 2.4 Dependability After the system has been designed for FizzyPop plc And it has proven to be efficient, effective, user friendly and safe, we still have to worry about how dependable the system could be. That is to say that Dependability basically is how dependable the system implemented would be, which has many features and some of those features are: * Maintainability Normally after the system is implemented and sold to FizzyPop plc, it must be maintained, and this maintenance will be done by the users of SODA. Maintenance will usually include updating the system software, taking backups. All this will be taught to the user during the training phase, but this also must be easy to do. * Reliability FizzyPop plc would be open throughout the day, and the system will also be on and running as long as FizzyPop exists.it could only be altered when further development process is been carried out and ready to implement. NOTE: The system must be able to operate during these times without and crashes or system failure. * Availability The system must be able to be started up within a short time, and ready to use. Queries must be responded to as and when the user demands them, that is the basic idea of availability. The system must be ready to use on the users demand. 2.3 Usability Usability is a set of attributes that put up with on the effort needed for use of a system, and on the individual assessment of such use, usually evaluated by the user of the system. The system developed for FizzyPop plc should be easy to use and learn. The user involved with the day to day function of the system, does not really need to be very good technically. Therefore the system must be designed in a way it easy to understand for users who will be using the system. All error messages must be in simple understandable English with less technical jargon. Therefore in the event of any errors the system user should be able to overcome the problem by themselves. Any new user of the SODA system should be able to have an experience and understand how the system works on their own. That will be a good indication of a user friendly system, in other words a good quality system. Also a training session must be provided to the users of SODA in order to show them on how the system works. A manual will also be given, in any case, if there are any problems in the system that needs any attention, SODA users (FizzyPop plc. Staffs) can look up the manual for details. CONCLUSION The spiral life cycle model has been chosen to develop the system so that the final product developed for FizzyPop plcwill very few or no problems will be found at all. This model makes sure that all the risks involved will be identified and taken care of before being handed over to the Bottling Company known as FizzyPop plc. Since the spiral model uses a rotating pattern, it ensures that all requirements are identified, and the system designed meets the specifications in order to make sure SODA users are satisfied with the system before the system is delivered to them. This spiral way of designing the system is also a bit costly to FizzyPop plc compared to developing the system using other methodologies, but its outcome is much worthy. In summary of the dependability measurement attributes, it could be said that, the software which is most efficient, effective and user friendly would be bad in terms on quality if it has low dependability qualities, such as, taking too long to start-up , regularly freezing up/ crashing and requiring high end technical training for users to maintain the system. If it is also a very dependable system, but with poor efficiency, performance and a bad user interface. it will not be a good quality system either. Finally we have concluded by saying that the system developed for FizzyPop plc must be perfect in all of these attributes; any defect or failure in any of these attributes will compromise the overall software quality for the system.

Dynamic Characters In A Tale Of Two Cities :: essays research papers

Dynamic Characters in A Tale of Two Cities   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  . Charles Dickens is an influential writer in his time. Charles Dickens is born on February 7, 1812 in England. Many of the books he writes are classics. One of the his classics is A Tale of Two Cities. A Tale of Two Cities is about a group of people who get stuck in France at the time of the revolution and only a very dear friend saves them from living lives of sadness. In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens uses dynamic characters that change drastically from the beginning to the end of he book. One example of a dynamic character is Sydney Carton. He is one of the â€Å"idlest and most unpromising of men† (83). Dickens also describes Carton as â€Å"a problem or carelessness and recklessness† (200). Carton is unpromising and reckless because the other characters in the book see him as a man who drinks too much and can’t take care of himself. While sitting in Mr. Lorry’s office with John Barsad and Jerry Cruncher â€Å"Sydney Carton fill[s] another glass with brandy, pour[s] it slowly upon the hearth, and watche[s] it as it drop[s]† (296). Sydney Carton spills the brandy to signify that he won’t be a drunken man any more. Carton also changes in the aspect that he feels love towards Lucie. After Darnay’s first trial in England Carton treats Darnay to dinner at a local tavern. During their conversation Darnay’s love, Lucie, is mentioned. Carton feels no love towards Lucie at that time. He says, â€Å"I am a disappointed d rudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me† (82). Soon after Sydney Carton finds himself falling in love with Lucie Manette. Carton says, â€Å"[F]or you and any dear to you I would do anything . . . . I would embrace any sacrifice for you and those dear to you . . . . think now and then that there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you!† (147 – 148). Sydney Carton obviously changes his opinion on loving and caring. Sydney Carton is an example of a main character that is dynamic in A Tale of Two Cities. Dr. Manette is a second example of a dynamic character in A Tale of Two Cities. When Lucie, Mr. Lorry, and Monsieur Defarge meet Dr.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Essay examples -- Health Medicine Papers

Iron Deficiency Anemia I. Introduction Iron Deficiency Anemia affects millions of individuals across the world. This disease strikes many more women than men and has harmful effects on all who suffer from this deficiency that causes oxygen-carrying capacity to decrease. The causes can vary amongst different groups, but the aggravating symptoms remain constant. Much of the research on Iron Deficiency Anemia concentrates on not only the treatment of this disease, but also the prevention of it. To attain a better understanding of how to treat this problem, one must clearly know what Iron Deficiency Anemia means, what causes this disease, the effects of it, and finally how to cure it. II. What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia? Iron is a mineral that is found the in hemoglobin of the Red Blood Cells. It facilitates in the transport of oxygen all over the body. Without this mineral, oxygen cannot be carried to its full capacity. 1 out of 10 women and small children have iron deficiencies. Lacking iron causes lethargy and a weakened immune system. Children who do not have an adequate intake of iron put themselves at risk for intellectual developmental problems. However, an iron deficient person is not necessarily anemic. 7.8 million women are iron deficient, while only 3.3 million women are anemic (http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9704/iron_def.htm). When the deficiency becomes so severe that the circulating Red Blood Count and the minerals Ht, Hg, and Hem drop below normal, anemia occurs (See Figure 1). The hormone androgen causes men and women to have different normal values of the hemogram (http://www.medstudents.com.br/hemat/hemat4.htm). Low ferritin (iron storage molecule) and high TIBC (tota... ... â€Å"Improvement in iron deficiency anemia through therapy with ferric ammonium citrate and vitamin C.† April 1991; 37 (2): 161-71. Yonezawa, K, Hokkaido Igaku Zasshi, â€Å"Effect of blood hemoglobin on concentration on anaerobic threshold.† July 1991; 66(4): pages 458-67. http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9704/iron_def.htm http://www.ohsu.edu/som-hemonc/handouts/deloughery/printanemia.html http://www.medstudents.com.br/hemat/hemat4.htm http://www.healthy.net/library/books/healthyself/womens/anemia.htm (http://riceinfo.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/iron.html) http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/sep_96/browned.htm http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/pted/htm/iron.htm http://www.saonet.ucla.edu/health/healthed/handouts/iron.htm http://www.cariboo.bc.ca/schs/medtech/rice/IronDeficiency.html http://pages.prodigy.com/CA/nutrigenie/nsnfw35.html