What do you think is the probability that 600 SPACs will be able to find a target and close the deal before “time’s up”? What happens at that point? What is “capital at risk”?
Firms have stockpiled cash because of the pandemic. Why? What will they most likely use the cash for? Will it flow to investors (dividends, share repurchases)?
What is the “bet” of entering into a pre-issuance hedge to lock in borrowing rates for future debt, as Dominion has done? That is, what must happen for Dominion to “win”? To “lose”?
We (formerly Wework) slashed its pre-IPO valuation estimate about in half. What gives with that? Why do you think it was “so high” to begin with?
If you were CFO, how would you set the budget for share repurchases? What factors would you consider? What are the accounting ramifications?
For the stock buybacks, where did firms’ excess cash come from to buy back the stock? Does it matter if it was from internally generated cash flows, or if it was borrowed? What are the future implications?
How do you decide (as CFO) what to do with the all the cash? How would you describe the effects of governmental fiscal policy in making capital allocation decisions?
Why would some firms choose a direct listing over a traditional IPO? What factors would you consider if you were a private firm and wanted to go public?
For many years, debt was cheap capital, so many firms loaded up. But, too much of a good thing can make one sick. How much is too much?
Tesla seems to be renegotiating with vendors after sales have been booked. What are the accounting implications from Tesla’s perspective? From the vendor’s perspective? What ratios are affected by longer payment terms and by rebates? What other sources of capital are available for Tesla at this point?
If you were an adviser to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, what would your advice be about investment in technology in general, and about Tesla in particular? What kind of ROI do you believe he has in mind?
How would you decide, if you were CFO, how to allocate the tax savings among competing interests, such as shareholders, workers (and their pension plans), and others?
Tesla is “burning cash,” yet CEO Musk does not want to address questions about capital needs. What do you think you would propose to him as sources of capital, should it be required? How would you decide on the mix of debt/equity?
