by Terence C.M. Tse: A concise, "math-light" guide that demystifies core ideas like cash vs. profit and business valuation for beginners.

Higher potential returns typically come with higher levels of risk. Recommended Introductory Resources

This involves choosing the right mix of debt (loans/bonds) and equity (stock) to fund investments while minimizing costs.

by Ross Geddes: This book provides an overview from the perspective of an investment banker, covering transactions like M&A, IPOs, and valuation.

Firms should only invest in projects that earn a return higher than a minimum "hurdle rate".

If a business cannot find enough high-return investments, it should return excess cash to the owners.

Corporate finance is the field of finance that deals with how corporations manage their funding, capital structure, and investment decisions to maximize shareholder value. At its core, it focuses on three primary types of decisions: (what long-term assets to invest in), capital structure (how to pay for those assets), and working capital management (managing daily cash flow). Core Principles of Corporate Finance