Post-reading Exercises

Ex.1 Read the dialogues:

-1-

A company is about to launch an expensive program while its revenues are too small to cover the expenses. The manager is consulting with his financial adviser.

M: I’d just like to know the advantages and disadvantages of the debt financing.

A: Are you going to issue bonds or just to take out a loan?

M: Well, if we manage to find an institution that will not demand any collateral, we’ll try to obtain a loan.

A: But don’t you know that you’ll have to pledge collateral no matter what kind of debt you’re in for?

M: Do you mean that even bonds issue need collateral to back it up?

A: Yes, unless you have a solid financial reputation, of course.

M: We’ve just started, you know. Anyway, I’ll have to report to the Board of Directors on Thursday. And meanwhile, how about talking about the advantages?

A: Well, compared to other types of securities, long term loans and bonds have at least two advantages. First, the holders are just creditors, not owners. This provides you with some flexibility in using the funds you have borrowed.

M: You mean that the holders have no voting rights and can’t participate in operations of the corporation?

A: You’ve got it. And the second one is that the interest you pay to these creditors is tax deductible.

M: Oh, I see. We subtract this interest from the company’s earning before taxes are calculated?

A: Right. And this eventually reduces the amount of corporate income tax.

M: That sounds great!

A: Don’t jump to conclusions! There are some disadvantages as well. First, these obligations must be repaid. You will have to plan a huge repayment at some fixed point in the future.

M: I bet it will cause all of us many headaches!

A: And moreover, bond agreements often contain restrictive provisions that may limit your flexibility in handling the corporation’s future finances.

M: Yes, I see. We’ll have to think twice before creating a debt in either way. Anyway, thanks a lot for your information!

Notes:

To deduct – вычитать

To subtract – вычитать, сбавлять

To figure – подсчитывать

To jump to a conclusion – спешить с выводами

I bet – зд. Я полагаю

-2-

Jack Sullivan, a manager of a firm selling computer software, is calling a factoring company.

Jack: Hello, can I speak to the senior manager, please?

Secretary: Yes, and may I ask who’s speaking?

Jack: It’s Jack Sullivan, of the software company.

Secretary: Could you hold on for a while, please, Mr. Sullivan?

A minute later

Secretary: Mr. Sullivan, are you still here? I’m putting you through now.

Sr. Manager: Mr. Sullivan, I’m George Brown. What can we do for you?

Jack: I was wondering if you could buy some if our accounts receivable. We sold a large amount of software to some of our clients last month but they didn’t pay in due time and we need cash badly now.

Sr. Manager: O.K. Will 70 percent do?

Jack: In fact, I’d rather have it at 80 percent, but, if you pay immediately, that’ll do.

Sr. Manager: Of, course. We’re paying right off! And mail those receivables to us as soon as possible.

Jack: Good, settled, bye!

Ex.2 Make up dialogues of your own:

1. Arrange a trade credit for a period of two months.

2. Discuss a possibility to raise short term funds which you need to pay salaries.

3. Your company is planning to construct a new building that would take up lots of money.

Ex.2 Translate the following statements:

Некоторые нужды компании покрываются краткосрочными источниками финансирования. 2. Компания должна выплатить долги в течение года. 3. Компания может использовать торговый кредит, займы, правительственные источники.4. Обычно клиент не платит за товары и услуги сразу. 5. Покупатель использует товары и услуги, не платя за них.6. Если клиент платит в течение 20 дней вместо 40, он получает 2-х-процентную скидку. 7. Иногда компании продают векселя. 8. Если предприятие не принесёт дохода достаточно быстро, фирма будет вынуждена взять долгосрочный заём. 8.Кредит – это ссуда на условиях возвратности. 9. Кредитор – это один из участников кредитных отношений, предоставляющий ссуду. Кредитором может быть государство, банк, предприятие. 10. Дебитор – это должник, от которого кредитор вправе требовать передачи имущества или уплаты денег в счёт погашения долга.

Ex.3 Fill in the blanks with either “within” or “without”.

1. A company decided to arrange new transactions … the next few days.

2. A borrower must repay the loan … a year’s time.

3. A company cannot get a loan … pledging a collateral.

4. If a buyer pays … 10 days instead of 30, he gets a 2 percent discount.

5. You can’t pay salaries … short term loans.

Ex.4 Change the direct speech into indirect speech:

1. The manager said, “We haven’t made the necessary arrangements yet.”

2. The retailer said, “You can buy machinery and tools on an open account.”

3. The customer said, ”I bought a new car at your shop and it needs repair.”

4. The banker said, “I am opening a credit account for you.”

5. The manager said, “We haven’t raised enough money to expand.”

6. The wholesaler said, “I sold a large amount of tools to retailer shop but they are not paying me in due time.”