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Timothy Thompson
Timothy Thompson

FINANCE
Senior Lecturer of Finance

Print Overview
Tim Thompson is Senior Lecturer of Finance. Professor Thompson has taught corporate finance courses in the full- and part-time MBA programs, the EMP program and in the International Executive MBA programs abroad. Prior to joining the Kellogg faculty, Thompson was a Research Consultant in the Consulting division of The Alcar Group, Inc. (now a part of LEK Consultants).

Professor Thompson's courses focus on the application of financial principles to corporate strategic decisions. He teaches Financial Decisions and Corporate Restructuring. In addition to his teaching, Thompson designs and directs selected Custom Executive Programs at the Allen Center, primarily for Société Générale.

Thompson has received the Professor of the Year award in the part-time MBA program (TMP program), the combined MBA programs and, most recently the Kellogg-WHU International Executive MBA program.

Thompson also serves as a consultant to several corporations. He received his MBA from the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago.



Areas of Expertise
Corporate Finance
Corporate Bankruptcy
Corporate Capital Structure
Corporate Governance
Corporate Restructuring
Financial Engineering
Payout Policy (Dividends, Repurchases)
Print Vita
Education
MBA, 1982, Finance, Econometrics, University of Chicago
BA, 1978, Mathematics, Lawrence College
PhD (ABD), Finance, University of Chicago

Academic Positions
Senior Lecturer, Finance, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 1992-present
Visiting Lecturer, Finance, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 1989-1992
Lecturer, Finance, School of Business, Loyola University of Chicago, 1982-1988

 
Print Research
Research Interests
Corporate finance and option pricing models

Cases
Raviv, Artur, Timothy Thompson, Phillip Gresh and Shannon Hennessy. 2004. Bed Bath & Beyond: The Capital Structure Decision. Case 5-204-270 (KEL082).
Abstract

 
Print Teaching
Teaching Interests
Corporate finance and option pricing models
Full-Time / Part-Time MBA
Finance II (FINC-441-0)

This course counts toward the following majors: Analytical Finance, Finance.

This course is the sequel to FINC-430. The primary objective is to examine the financial decisions of firms with regard to their capital budgeting decisions (which investments to make), dividend decisions and capital structure decisions (how to raise capital). We first examine these decisions in an idealized frictionless world in which the firm cannot change its value by altering its dividend or capital structure policy. We then explore the effect of frictions (e.g. taxes, bankruptcy costs, inefficient or uncompetitive financial markets, or self-interested managers) on the firm's financial decisions and how these decisions can affect a firm's value. Prerequisites: FINC-430. Corequisite: DECS-434 or equivalent. ACCT-430 and MECN-430 are recommended.

Financial Decisions (FINC-442-0)

This course counts toward the following majors: Analytical Finance, Finance.

This course uses case studies to enhance the student's understanding of managerial financial decision making, specifically investment and financing decisions. Topics include short- and long-term financing, capital structure and dividend decisions, cost of capital, capital budgeting, firm valuation, financial and operational restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions. The course emphasizes the basic principles of corporate finance and is sufficiently general so as to be of interest to all students. The course provides students with the opportunity to apply the concepts and theories developed in other finance courses. At its most fundamental level, the course attempts to improve problem-solving skills: problem definition, gathering and organizing the relevant information, developing feasible alternative courses of action, evaluating alternative choices, and recommending and defending the best course of action.

Corporate Restructuring (FINC-448-0)

This course counts toward the following majors: Finance

This course examines transactions that significantly affect corporations' assets, liabilities, and/or equity claims. The course is intended to provide an overview of common restructuring techniques as well as the economic motives for undertaking them. Topics covered include bankruptcy, convertible securities, tracking stock, spin-offs, and mergers. Transactions will be examined from the perspectives of both the corporation (e.g. CFO and CEO) and the capital markets (e.g. investors). Common "arbitrage" trading strategies involving corporate transactions will also be discussed. Cases will be used as the primary method of instruction. Prerequisite: FINC-442 or permission of instructor. A basic understanding of financial options will be assumed (advanced features of financial options will be introduced when necessary.)

Executive MBA
Strategic Financial Management (FINCX-442-0)
Strategic Financial Management examines financial management theory and cases. Students use valuation skills to determine the cost of capital, financing and operating issues faced by the firm.