Investment Banks, Security Brokers and Dealers, and Venture Capital Firms Lectur 21-22

Pensions Definition: A pension plan is an asset pool that accumulates over an individual’s working years and is paid out during the nonworking years. Developed as Americans began relying less on children for care during their later years. Also became popular as life expectancy increased.

2%  average of final 3 years’ income  years of service Types of Pensions Defined-Benefit Pension Plans: a plan where the sponsor promises the employee a specific benefit when they retire. For example, Annual Retirement Payment = 2%  average of final 3 years’ income  years of service

Types of Pensions Defined-Benefit Pension Plans place a burden on the employer to properly fund the expected retirement benefit payouts. Fully funded: sufficient funds are available to meet payouts Overfunded: funds exceed the expected payout Underfunded: funds are not expected to meet the required benefit payouts

Types of Pensions Defined-Contribution Pension Plan: a plan where a set amount is invested for retirement, but the benefit payout is uncertain. The retirement benefits are entirely dependent upon the performance of the fund Corporate sponsors deduct a fixed percentage from the employees wages each month and puts the amount in pension fund Employees are sometimes allowed to specify how their funds will be invested These funds are becoming popular because onus of responsibility is on employees for the fund performance

Private Pension Plans: any pension plan set up by employers, groups, or individuals Public Pension Plan: any pension plan set up by a government body for the general public (e.g., Social Security)

Private Equity Investments An alternative to investing via public securities is private equity (PE) investments. Here, a limited partnership raises funds (PE) to invest in new companies, to buyout existing divisions, etc. Most common types of PE are venture funds and capital buyouts. PE got a boost in 1978 when pension funds were permitted to invest in PE firms.

Venture Capital Firms These firms provide funds for start-up companies Often become very involved with firm management and provide expertise

Venture Capital Firms Description of Industry Typically limited partnerships Usually, VC firms Have Long-term motivation Sit on the board of directors Disburse funds in stages, based on required results Invest in several firms, diversifying some risk

Venture Capital Investments

Venture Capitalists Managers of start-ups may have objectives that differ significantly from profit maximization. Usually, VC firms Have Long-term motivation Sit on the board of directors Disburse funds in stages, based on required results Invest in several firms, diversifying some risk

Venture Profitability The 20-year average return is over 16.5%, with seed investing providing the highest average (20.4%) and later stage funding providing the lowest (13.9%). Despite some phenomenal years (1999), venture capital has had negative returns in recent years.

Investment Bankers Everything from buying stock to raising money through a bond issuance typically requires an investment banking firm. The smooth functioning of securities markets requires many financial institutions, beyond the companies discussed so far. These investment banks, brokers, etc are the focus of this chapter

Investment Banks Investment banks perform a variety of crucial functions in financial markets Underwrite the initial sale of stocks and bonds Deal maker in mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs Middleman in the purchase and sale of companies Private broker to the very wealthy

Underwriting Stocks and Bonds The process of underwriting a stock or a bond issue requires that the investment banker purchase the entire offering at a predetermined price and then resell the offering (securities) in the market. The services provided during this process include: Giving Advice Filing Documents Underwriting, Best Efforts, or Private Placement

Underwriting Stocks and Bonds Giving advice Explaining current market conditions in to help determine why type of security (equity, debt, etc.) to offer Assisting in determining when to issue, how many, at what price (more important with IPOs than SEOs)

Underwriting Stocks and Bonds Filing Documents SEC registration (filing) is required for pblic issues A portion of the registration statement known as the prospectus is made available to the public. Debt issues require several additional steps, including acquiring a credit rating, etc. For equity issues, the investment banker may also arrange for the securities to appear on one of the exchanges.

Underwriting Stocks and Bonds Underwriting (firm commitment) The investment banker purchases the entire offering at a fixed price and then resells the offering to the market. An underwriter may form an underwriting syndicate to diffuse part of the underwriting risk.

Underwriting Stocks and Bonds The goal of underwriting is for all of the shares in an offering to be sold. However, this may not occur. Fully subscribed: all shares are demanded by general public Undersubscribed: underwriting syndicate unable to generate interest in all of the available shares Oversubscribed: interest in more shares than are available (may lead to rationing).

Underwriting Stocks and Bonds

Underwriting Stocks and Bonds Best Efforts: An alternative to a firm commitment, the underwriter does not buy the issue, but rather makes its “best effort” to sell the entire issue. Private Placements: The entire issue is sold to a small, select group of investors. This is rarely done with equity issues.

Securities Brokers and Dealers Securities firms with brokerage services offer several types of services: Brokerage Service Other services Full-Service Brokers versus Discount Brokers

Securities Brokers and Dealers Full Service Brokers: offer clients research and investment advice, but usually charge a higher commission on trades. Discount Broker: provides facilities to buy/sell securities but offers no advice. Many on-line discount brokerage firms do have significant research available

Securities Brokers and Dealers Securities Dealers Hold inventories of securities on their own account Provide liquidity to the market by standing ready to buy or sell securities (market maker) Especially important for thinly traded securities