The first book devoted exclusively to modern advanced corporate finance, this volume provides a comprehensive exploration of theoretical and empirical literature on corporate financial policies and strategies--particularly those of U.S. nonfinancial firms--defined in rational, economic terms. Throughout, Cases in Point show theory in relation to financial decisions made by specific firms; and Real-World Focus highlights numerous articles from the financial press, providing insights from practitioners' points of view. Empirical Perspectives On The Financial Characteristics Of Publicly Traded U.S. Nonfinancial Firms. Valuation And Financing Decisions In An Ideal Capital Market. Separation Of Ownership And Control, Principal-Agent Conflicts, And Financial Policies. Information Asymmetry And The Markets For Corporate Securities. The Roles Of Government, Securities Markets, Financial Institutions, Ownership Structure, Board Oversight, And Contract Devices. The Leverage Decision. Analyses Of The Firm And The Valuation Of Equity And Debt. Industry Analysis And Financial Policies And Strategies. The Firm's Environment, Governance, Strategy, Operations, And Financial Structure. Market Efficiency, Event Studies, Cost Of Equity Capital, And Equity Valuation. Corporate Bonds: Terms, Issuance, And Valuation. Private Equity And Venture Capital. Initial Public Offerings Of Stock. Managing Internal Equity And Seasoned Equity Offerings. Dividend Policy And Stock Repurchases. Corporate Liabilities: Strategic Selections Of Lenders And Contract Terms. Mergers, Acquisitions, Takeovers, And Buyouts. Financial Distress And Restructuring. Debt Restructuring, Being Acquired, Bankruptcy, Reorganization, And Liquidation. Organizational Architecture, Risk Management, And Security Design. For CEOs and CFOs of corporations, senior lending officers at commercial banks, and senior officers and analysts at investment banks.