Brealey, Principles of Corporate Finance, 13e, describes the theory
and practice of corporate finance. We hardly need to explain why
financial managers have to master the practical aspects of their job,
but we should spell out why down-to-earth managers need to bother with
theory. Throughout this book, we show how managers use financial theory
to solve practical problems. Much of this book is concerned with
understanding what financial managers do and why. But we also say what
financial managers should do to increase company value.
Some of the biggest changes in this edition were prompted by the tax
changes enacted in the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December
2017. In the current edition, we have also continued to augment the
international content as well as a number of chapters that have been
thoroughly rewritten. For example, the material on agency issues in
Chapter 12 has been substantially revised. Chapter 13 on market
efficiency and behavioral finance is now fresher and more up to date.
Chapter 23 on credit risk focuses more on the practical issues of
forecasting default probabilities.