Case Name :      Corning Inc.: Zero Coupon Convertible Debentures Due November 8, 2015 (A)

Authors :           Robert F. Bruner, Jessica Chan, Sean Carr

Source :             Darden School of Business

Case ID :           UV2487

Discipline :        Finance

Case Length :    22 pages

Solution Sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

In November 2000, a money manager needs to make a decision regarding an offering of convertible bonds by Corning. The analysis requires her to compare the insights available from standard descriptive ratios to those available from valuation analysis. This case is intended to be a student’s first exercise in analyzing convertible bonds and assumes some familiarity with option pricing theory and bond valuation. In addition, the case highlights the importance of going beyond the convertible bond calculations. The volatility of Corning stock has increased in the past year, and makes the call option more valuable, but at the same time Corning appears to be issuing converts at a time when both its share price and stock market valuations are at historic highs. Thus it is imperative that the student “have a view” on the sustainability of stock market valuations and the outlook for Corning.