Research Project Part III
Review Research Project Part III for detailed instructions.
Formatting Instructions
Please note that starting from the Fall 2020 semester the UMGC moved to the 7th Edition of the APA Style. The links to the 7th Edition of the APA Style methodology are posted in Content – Course Resources – Writing Resources. Format of the Research Project (As it is stated in the Syllabus, follow APA 7th edition, Abstract is not required). 
Must have in-text citations in APA-7th edition style……
Must have reference list in APA-7th edition style. Please note that you must reference the data you are using for the project
Must be prepared using word processing software (Microsoft Word preferred) 
Research Project report should be about 4-5 pages or more double-spaced typewritten pages (not counting tables and graphs). The assignments for both parts should include suitable comparative, quantitative and qualitative analyses and conclude with a specific and supported recommendation and reflection.
Submissions must be posted to the Assignment folder as an attachment. Attachments are limited to a maximum two files in doc, docx., xls. xlsx., or rtf. formats. OTHER FORMATS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE, will not be reviewed or graded.
Please note that hand-written and scanned works, pdf. files, jpg. files, NUMBERS, as well as files posted in google drive, will not be accepted or graded.
All works must be Word processed. Handwritten and scanned work will not be accepted and graded.
In accordance with the UMGC Academic Policy, notes taken for papers and research projects should accurately record sources of material to be cited, appropriately quoted, paraphrased or summarized, and papers and research projects should acknowledge these sources in the appropriate places in the text of the paper as well as in a reference list at the end of the paper, in accordance with accepted citation practices. No more than 20% of the text of the project should be made up of quotes.
PRESENTATION OF PAPER AND WRITING (15%) of the project grade):

Organization, Format and Presentation of Paper including the Title page, Introduction, Body, and Summary (4% of the project grade)
Use of Tables, Figures and Other Graphics to Summarize and Support Analysis Presented in the Paper (3% of the project grade)

Logical and Smooth Flowing Transitions and Relationships among Sections of the Written Report (3% of the project grade)

Research Sources and Significance of Research Information and Data, Use of APA Citation Methodology (5% of the project grade)

Essential research data, financial calculations and other documentation as necessary to support your recommendation should be referred to in summary form in your report and attached in detail as enclosures.  All major sources should be referenced.  There is no set limit to the size of the enclosures, but it is recommended that only essential enclosures be attached. You should use the reference list to identify any remaining supporting documents you wish to include.
Individual Research Project Part 3
Market Ratios Analysis and Stock Valuation
Due at the end of week 7
Based on the course materials studied during week 1 > Chapter 6> Part 6.5 Market Value
ratios and Chapter 11> Part 11.1 > Multiple Approaches to Stock Valuation
This project is closely aligned with the Course Outcomes and Finance Program
Objectives. Completion of this project can be used as part of a portfolio to show potential
employers the student is skilled at performing company valuations and financial statement
analysis and can be included on the student’s resume.
The project will be completed as an Individual Assignment. THE COMPANY to be analyzed
for this project is selected by the instructor.
OBJECTIVE
Please remember that you are the financial analyst of THE COMPANY and should prepare the
report to be read by the chairman (CEO) of THE COMPANY.
YOUR SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT
Please note that you don’t need to sign up for any premiums or to pay for any information
for the project.
Using the information from the websites the student will develop a valuation of stock
performance for THE COMPANY (SELECTED BY INSTRUCTOR). (The evaluation portion
will total 85% of the assignment grade)
-1—Introduction (5% of the project grade)- The paper should begin with a short introduction
that explains the purpose of the paper and provides an overview of the contents that follow (one
short paragraph).
-2- Collect and evaluate the data about market ratios of the assigned company for the most
recent available year. (Totally 65% of the project grade).
a) Collect the market ratios for the company and for the main competitor for the most recent
available year. Present the market ratios as the table(s) in your project.
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Price/Earnings ratio
Price/Cash Flow ratio
Price/Book ratio
Price/Forward Earnings
Dividends per share
Dividend Yield
PEG ratio (optional)
These ratios are available on www.morningstar.com > type the stock symbol in the Search
window to get into the company’s page. Click on Valuation.
Dividends per share and Dividend yield are available under tab Dividends. If you are using
published ratios you must indicate that and cite their source.
b) Write about 2 pages of analysis of the market ratio results that you found. Compare the
market ratio results against main competitor. In your report please answer the question: In
accordance with the results of your market ratios analysis, is the company’s stock
undervalued, overvalued, or properly valued? In accordance with your analysis, is it reasonable
to buy the stock of this company? Please explain your answers.
-3- Compare with the Analyst ratings (10% of the project grade)
Free Analyst Ratings are available in www.marketwatch.com – To find Analyst Ratings for your
company stock you need to type the stock symbol in the Search window to get into the
company’s page. Click on Analyst Estimates > Scroll down to Analyst Ratings.
In accordance with the analyst ratings, is it reasonable to buy the stock of your company?
Compare your conclusion based on your market ratio analysis with the analyst ratings. Will it
change your decision to buy this stock? Summarize your findings in one paragraph.
-4- Reflection – the students should write a paragraph in their own words reflecting on what they
learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the
workplace or everyday life. (5% of the project grade).
PRESENTATION OF PAPER AND WRITING (15%) of the project grade):
-Organization, Format and Presentation of Paper including the Title page, Introduction, Body,
and Summary. Each section of the paper must begin with sub-headings. Please use the subheadings included in the assignment. Please use double space, with one-inch margins, and use
12-point Times New Roman font. (4% of the project grade)
Use of Tables, Figures and Other Graphics to Summarize and Support Analysis Presented in the
Paper. All tables and charts should have the numbering system, like “Table 1…”, the title, and
foot/end note to reference the source of the information. (3% of the project grade)
Logical and Smooth Flowing Transitions and Relationships among Sections of the Written
Report (3% of the project grade)
Research Sources and Significance of Research Information and Data, Use of APA Citation
Methodology (5% of the project grade)