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The Kraft project focused on their bacon business. Kraft wanted to understand how to maximize their profitability from the most efficient use of the pork belly, and requested that Nicholas evaluate pricing trends, hedging opportunities, and competitor practices in this industry. In addition, questions regarding the most efficient and profitable use of that part of the pork belly not used in the production of bacon were to be addressed.

The purpose of this project was to assess the returns performance of the venture capital industry, identifying key factors driving investment profitability. In addition, return performance across key subgroups of venture capital firms, including:

• "Established" firms, who were in existence prior to 1985
• "New entrants" who entered the venture capital market after 1985
• "Geographically focused" firms who entered the market after 1985
• "Sector specific" firms who focus on a particular technology area
  

The Corporate Finance Program at UW-Madison provided analysis, prepared and delivered a presentation based upon a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the relationship between the Return on Common Equity (ROCE), forward P/E multiples and stock price performance. The goal of the project was to determine whether there is a strong statistical relationship between forward P/E multiples and a company's ROCE. If so, does the relationship suggest or indicate that proper management of the ROCE can help guide the market to a higher P/E multiple for the company's stock.

Nicholas Team traveled to New York City to deliver their presentation to Deutsche Bank

JC Flowers II LP

The JC Flowers II LP is a new $4 billion private equity fund. The general partners requested that Nicholas:

• Provide a complete review of Private Equity trends (including volume, pricing, profitability trends, exit strategies, etc.) in the acquisition, distressed securities and buyout market
• Provide an analysis of financial service industry trends and conditions in order to identify attractive investment areas for the fund. Because of the size of the fund, emphasis should be placed on larger target companies
• Identify and defend one or two specific large acquisition targets for the fund, including the provision of a complete justification, explanation and defense of your recommendations
  
  

  Nicholas Board members Eric Larson (Piper Jaffrey), Gary Cole (Antares International Partners), Tom Tefft (Medtronic), Ben Braun (Merrill Lynch) and Mary Amor (Citigroup)

  
  

  Past Consulting Engagements
  Fall '08 Projects		1st Round Projects	2nd Round Projects	Spring '09 Projects	3rd Round Projects
  Fall '07 Projects		1st Round Projects	2nd Round Projects	Spring '08 Projects	3rd Round Projects	4th Round Projects
  Fall '06 Projects		1st Round Projects	2nd Round Projects	Spring '07   Projects	3rd Round Projects	4th Round Projects
  Previous Nicholas Projects		Fall 2005 Projects	Past Projects	Spring '06 Projects	3rd Round Projects	4th Round Projects