Can someone answer these questions I got in a Corporate Finance test for a M&A Boutique?

Hello, I was invited to take a test for an M&A boutique. I had a doubt regarding 2 multiple choice questions.

1) The price to book value ratio is a helpful valuation when examine companies: a) That have primarily liquid asset b) With higher ROE c) With similar profitability margins

2) Stock Dividends and Stock splits differ in that: a) Splits are paid in additional shares, whereas a stock div results in a replacement of outstanding shares with new issue of shares b) in a stock split a larger n. of new shares replaces the outstanding shares c) a stock dividend results in a decline of the par value per share

Can someone tell me the answer of the 2 questions and please explain me why? (especially Q.1)

Thanks!

7 Comments
 

Thank you very much. Just one thing: Are you sure about answer 1? B says that the P/BV is a helpful valuation when examine companies "with HIGHER roe", so there could be other industries where ROE is higher. It doesn't really says "valued with ROE". I agree saying that Banks and Insurance comp are usually valued with P/BV and this ratio is often looked at with the ROE, so I initially thought that B was the right answer too coz it was releted to ROE - but is the "HIGHER" that confused me. So I answered A thinking that FI companies like Insurance have a lot of assets invested in the public market (bonds and stocks) that are very liquid. It is probably wrong but tell me if what I thought makes sense for you too.

 

Omnis voluptates et provident. Praesentium dignissimos debitis facilis in dolores. Error et aut ducimus ea recusandae sit. Et et et est veniam. Est dolores perferendis non similique. Accusantium commodi eos iste tempore. Optio vel cumque et a est tenetur.

Nemo qui dolor reiciendis tenetur ipsum soluta deleniti. Praesentium nihil et molestiae. Numquam voluptas aperiam quo culpa facilis.

Aut rerum necessitatibus voluptatem. Recusandae sit corporis aut rerum qui velit. Facere iure distinctio aliquam quia placeat.

Sequi id voluptatem impedit et. Odio est mollitia et dolorem quia. Voluptas excepturi debitis libero et quibusdam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”