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🧠 Case Study Buổi 12: Capstone — Valuation Project

"An investment report is a story told with numbers."


Case 1: Goldman Sachs Equity Research — Cấu trúc Report thực tế

Bối cảnh

Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research (GIR) — một trong những ER departments uy tín nhất thế giới, cover 3,000+ companies toàn cầu, với 800+ analysts.

Khi GS publish note, institutional investors quản lý hàng trăm tỷ USD đọc và hành động.

Cấu trúc GS Initiation Report

Một Initiation of Coverage report tại GS thường 40–60 trang:

SectionPagesNội dungTương ứng Buổi
Cover Page1Company, Ticker, Rating, Target Price
Executive Summary1–2Key thesis, metrics, recommendationBuổi 12, Phần 2
Investment Thesis3–53–5 key arguments for rating
Industry Overview5–8TAM, competitive landscape, secular trendsBuổi 6
Company Deep-Dive8–12Business model, segments, management, moatBuổi 1, 2
Financial Analysis5–8Revenue build, margin analysis, returnsBuổi 2–3
Valuation5–8DCF, Comps, SoTP, Football FieldBuổi 4–6, 8
Risks2–3Bull/Base/Bear scenarios, key risksBuổi 11
ESG1–2Environmental, Social, Governance factors
Appendix3–5Detailed model, glossary, disclosuresBuổi 10

GS Rating System

RatingDefinition% of coverage
BuyExpected 12-month return > sector benchmark~30%
NeutralReturn ± within sector range~55%
SellExpected return < sector benchmark~15%

Lưu ý: GS dùng "Conviction List" cho highest-conviction ideas — top ~1% picks.

Ví dụ: GS Coverage — FPT Corporation (giả lập)

Cover Page Elements:

ElementDetail
RatingBuy (Conviction List Add)
Target Price128,000 VND
Current Price95,000 VND
Upside+34.7%
Market Cap131,000 tỷ VND
SectorASEAN Technology
AnalystNguyen Tran, CFA

Key Thesis (3 bullets):

  1. AI-driven IT outsourcing demand — FPT Software positioned as top-3 ASEAN IT services, benefiting from Japan/US digital transformation wave
  2. Margin expansion — Shift from body-shopping to higher-value DX/AI projects → +200bps EBITDA margin over 3 years
  3. Valuation discount — Trading at 20x P/E vs. Infosys 25x despite higher growth (18% vs. 12%)

Phân tích: Tại sao GS report hiệu quả?

Yếu tốCách GS làmBài học
Clarity1-page summary đủ thông tinExecutives chỉ đọc 1 trang
ConvictionClear rating + target priceKhông mập mờ
Data-drivenMọi argument có số liệu supportClaim → Evidence → Conclusion
Scenario analysisBull/Base/Bear với probabilitiesShow you've considered alternatives
Professional formatConsistent fonts, charts, colorsForm supports substance

Câu hỏi phân tích

  1. Tại sao GS chỉ có ~15% Sell ratings? Liệu có bias không? (Hint: relationship banking)
  2. Nếu bạn là competitor analyst, bạn challenge thesis #3 thế nào? (Hint: growth quality vs. quantity)
  3. GS dùng "Conviction List" — tại sao cần tách riêng thay vì chỉ dùng Buy?

Case 2: FPT Valuation Deck — Mẫu best-in-class

Bối cảnh

Một nhóm sinh viên trong khóa trước đã hoàn thành Valuation Deck cho FPT Corporation — được đánh giá "best-in-class" bởi panel giám khảo gồm CFA Charterholders.

Cấu trúc Deck (20 slides)

SlideNội dungĐiểm mạnh
1Cover: FPT Corp — BUY, TP 118,000Clean design, logo
2Executive Summary1-page: metrics table + 3 theses + risks
3Investment ThesisNumbered bullets, each with data support
4–5Vietnam IT IndustryTAM $15B, growth 20%+, gov't policy support
6Competitive PositionFPT vs CMC vs TMA vs Infosys VN
7–8Company OverviewRevenue by segment (pie chart), 5-year trend
9–10Financial AnalysisDuPont decomposition, margin waterfall chart
11Peer ComparisonSpider chart: FPT vs regional IT peers
12Red FlagsClean — no major issues, noted related party risk
13–14DCF ModelFCFF build-up, TV = Gordon Growth + Exit Multiple
15Sensitivity TableWACC × g color-coded
16Trading Comps6 peers, median multiples, implied valuation
17Football FieldHorizontal bar chart, all methods
18Target PriceWeighted average methodology
19Risks & Catalysts2-column layout
20Appendix3-Statement Model screenshot, sources

Excel Model — Key Tabs

TabContentQuality Score
AssumptionsRevenue growth, margins, CapEx, WC drivers⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Income Statement3Y historical + 5Y projection⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Balance SheetFull build-out, balances checked⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cash FlowCFO/CFI/CFF, FCF calculation⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DCFFCFF, WACC, TV, EV bridge⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comps6 peers, 4 multiples⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sensitivity2-way data table⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Football FieldChart data + chart⭐⭐⭐⭐

Giám khảo Comments

Giám khảoFeedback
CFA Charterholder #1"Impressive revenue build — segment level with clear drivers. DCF assumptions well-justified."
CFA Charterholder #2"Would like to see more on competitive moat. DuPont analysis excellent."
Portfolio Manager"This is presentation-ready for an IC meeting. Football field chart is particularly effective."
Common improvement"Add scenario analysis (Bull/Base/Bear) with probability weights"

Key Takeaways

  1. Segment-level revenue build > Top-line growth rate assumption
  2. Visual charts (waterfall, spider, football field) > Text-heavy slides
  3. Balance check visible → builds credibility
  4. Color coding consistent → professional appearance
  5. Sources cited for every external data point

Case 3: CFA Institute Research Challenge — Format & Standards

Tổng quan cuộc thi

Yếu tốChi tiết
Tổ chứcCFA Institute
Đối tượngSinh viên đại học, team 3–5 người
Quy mô6,000+ students, 1,000+ teams, 80+ countries
Vòng thiLocal → Sub-Regional → Regional → Global Finals
Assigned companyBan tổ chức assign 1 company cho tất cả teams
DeliverableWritten report (10–15 pages) + Oral presentation (15 min + 10 min Q&A)

Written Report Format (Bắt buộc)

SectionMax PagesWeight
Disclosures & Disclaimers1Required
Executive Summary115%
Business Description210%
Industry Overview210%
Investment Thesis115%
Financial Analysis215%
Valuation325%
Risk Analysis110%
Total~13 pages100%

Grading Rubric

Written Report (50% tổng điểm):

CriteriaWeightWhat judges look for
Valuation25%DCF rigor, comp selection, sensitivity, target price logic
Financial Analysis15%Ratio trends, DuPont, forecasting quality
Investment Thesis15%Clear, compelling, differentiated view
Industry Analysis10%Market dynamics, competitive positioning
Writing Quality10%Clarity, conciseness, professionalism
Risks10%Identification, quantification, mitigation
Executive Summary15%Complete, standalone, persuasive

Oral Presentation (50% tổng điểm):

CriteriaWeightWhat judges look for
Content & Analysis30%Depth, accuracy, differentiated insights
Presentation Skills25%Clarity, confidence, teamwork
Q&A25%Ability to defend, think on feet
Use of Visuals10%Professional slides, effective charts
Time Management10%Within 15 minutes, well-paced

Winning Team Characteristics

Dựa trên phân tích top teams từ Global Finals:

FactorStrong TeamWeak Team
Valuation approachMultiple methods, well-explainedSingle DCF only
Thesis differentiationUnique angle vs. consensusRepeat what everyone knows
Data qualityPrimary research (calls, surveys)Only secondary data
Risk analysisQuantified, scenario-basedList without analysis
Q&A handlingConfident, data-backed answers"We didn't think about that"
TeamworkSmooth transitions, complementaryDisjointed, repetitive

Ví dụ: Past Winning Thesis

2023 Global Winner — Valuing a Renewable Energy Company:

  • Thesis: "Company is transitioning from fossil to renewable. Market prices transition risk at 30% discount, but our analysis shows only 15% discount warranted → 20% upside."
  • Differentiated view: Built proprietary renewable energy capacity model → shows transition faster than market expects
  • Primary research: Interviewed 3 industry experts, 2 company suppliers
  • Valuation: DCF + SoTP (fossil segment + renewable segment valued separately) + Comps
  • Risk: Carbon tax scenarios with probability weights

Câu hỏi thảo luận

  1. Tại sao CFA Research Challenge yêu cầu Disclosures & Disclaimers? Liên hệ đến CFA Ethics?
  2. Valuation chiếm 25% điểm — nhưng nhiều team spend 60% thời gian cho nó. Đúng hay sai?
  3. Primary research (phỏng vấn, khảo sát) khác gì secondary research (BCTC, reports)? Cái nào valuable hơn?
  4. Nếu bạn và đối thủ đều value cùng 1 company — làm sao tạo differentiated view?

📝 Câu hỏi CFA-style

Câu 1

Trong CFA Research Challenge, Valuation section chiếm 25% điểm. Phương pháp nào KHÔNG phù hợp để include?

  • A. DCF (FCFF model)
  • B. Trading Comparable Companies
  • C. Book Value (Balance Sheet approach thuần túy)
Đáp án

C. Book Value approach thuần túy

Book Value không phản ánh future earnings potential. CFA Research Challenge requires forward-looking valuation methods (DCF, Comps, DDM). Book value chỉ phù hợp cho liquidation analysis.

Câu 2

Một Equity Research report có Buy rating với Target Price $150. Current price $120. Nếu analyst sử dụng WACC 8% trong DCF, nhưng tình huống thực tế WACC nên là 10%, target price sẽ:

  • A. Tăng lên trên $150
  • B. Giảm đáng kể dưới $150
  • C. Không thay đổi
Đáp án

B. Giảm đáng kể dưới $150

WACC tăng từ 8% → 10% sẽ giảm PV of FCFF và PV of Terminal Value đáng kể. Ví dụ: nếu Terminal Growth = 3%, multiplier thay đổi từ 18%3%=20× sang 110%3%=14.3× — giảm ~29%.

Câu 3

Football Field chart cho thấy: DCF range 80–120, Comps range 90–110, 52-week 70–105. Điều này gợi ý:

  • A. DCF có range rộng nhất → không đáng tin
  • B. Các phương pháp hội tụ quanh 90–110 → confidence cao
  • C. 52-week range thấp nhất → stock undervalued
Đáp án

B. Các phương pháp hội tụ quanh 90–110 → confidence cao

Khi DCF, Comps, và market price đều overlap ở range 90–110, analyst có thể confident hơn về fair value. DCF range rộng hơn là bình thường do sensitivity analysis. 52-week range phản ánh market sentiment, không nhất thiết là fair value.

Câu 4

Khi present Valuation Deck cho Investment Committee, câu hỏi nào bạn PHẢI chuẩn bị?

  • A. "What's the weather forecast for next quarter?"
  • B. "What's your bear case and how much downside?"
  • C. "Which Excel version did you use?"
Đáp án

B. "What's your bear case and how much downside?"

IC luôn hỏi bear case để test conviction. Nếu analyst không chuẩn bị, đó là red flag về analysis depth. Standard prep: Bull case (+X%), Base case (target), Bear case (−Y%) with probability weights.

Câu 5

Tại sao Equity Research analyst phải include "Disclosures & Disclaimers" trong report?

  • A. Để report dài hơn
  • B. Vì CFA Code of Ethics yêu cầu transparency về conflicts of interest
  • C. Vì SEC yêu cầu minimum page count
Đáp án

B. CFA Code of Ethics — Standard VI(A) Disclosure of Conflicts

CFA Code yêu cầu members disclose conflicts of interest: ownership of stock, investment banking relationships, compensation tied to ratings. Đây là cornerstone of professional conduct trong research.


🧭 Điều hướng

Nội dungLink
📘 Bài học chínhCapstone — Full Valuation Deck
📝 BlogTừ sinh viên đến Analyst
🏆 Tiêu chuẩnCFA Research Challenge · IBCS · ER Format
🛠 WorkshopHoàn thiện Valuation Deck
🎮 Mini GamePitch Competition