QUESTION 1
[40 MARKS]
It is now May 2022. Okandjira Co is a listed company which produces a range of
branded products all of which are well-established in their respective markets,
although overall sales have grown by an average of only 2% per annum over the past
decade. The board of directors is currently concerned about the company's level of
financial gearing, which although not high by industry standards, is near to breaching
the covenants attaching to its 15% debenture issue, made in 2009 at a time of high
market interest rates. Issued in order to finance the acquisition of the premises on
which it is secured, the debenture is repayable at par value of N$100 per unit at any
time during the period 2022 - 2025.
There are two covenants attaching to the debenture, which state:
'At no time shall the ratio of debt capital to shareholders' fund exceed 50%. The
company shall also maintain a prudent level of liquidity, defined as a current ratio at
no time outside the range of the industry average (as published by the corporate credit
rating agency, Creditrate), plus or minus 20%.'
Okandjira's most recent set of accounts is shown in summarised form below. The
buildings have been depreciated since 2009 at 4% per annum, and most of the
machinery is only two or three years old, having been purchased mainly via a bank
overdraft. The interest rate payable on the bank overdraft is currently 9%. The finance
director argues that Okandjira should take advantage of historically low interest rates
on the European money markets by issuing a medium-term Eurodollar bond at 5%.
The dollar is currently selling at a premium of about 1% on the three-month forward
market.
Okandjira's ordinary shares currently sell at a P/E ratio of 14, and look unattractive
compared to comparable companies in the sector which exhibit an average P/E ratio
of 18. According to the latest published credit assessment by Creditrate, the average
current ratio for the industry is 1.35. The loan stock currently sells in the market at
N$15 above par.
Summarised financial accounts for Okandjira Co for the year ended 31
December 2021:
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021
N$m
N$m
Assets employed
Non-current (net):
Land
5.0
Premises
4.0
Machinery and vehicles
11.0
20.0
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