The course aims to provide students with conceptual frameworks and practical tools for analyzing business performance and supporting managerial decision-making processes. Particular attention will be devoted to economic, financial, operational and sustainability dimensions of performance analysis, with practical cases and insights from the business world.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: the student will have acquired the knowledge of the tools and methods of analysis of the economic, financial and sustainability performance of companies; APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: the student will have achieved the ability to analyze the economic, financial and sustainability performance of companies using the methods and techniques acquired; MAKING JUDGMENT: the student will have developed the ability to formulate critical judgments on the economic, financial and sustainability performance of companies; COMMUNICATION SKILLS: the student will be able to communicate ratings and judgments on the economic, financial and sustainability performance of companies; LEARNING SKILLS: the student will have acquired the learning skills necessary for the continuation and conclusion of studies independently.

The course covers the main tools and methods used to evaluate and interpret business performance, with a focus on: • Business performance analysis and managerial decision making • Financial statement reporting and interpretation • Economic and operational performance measurement • Financial performance and cash flow analysis • Business key performance indicators (KPIs) • Profitability, leverage and value creation • Sustainability reporting and ESG performance analysis • Business value drivers and integrated performance assessment

Reference text for the course will be “Business analysis and valuation”, by Krishna G. Palepu, Paul M. Healy, Erik Peek. In addition to the textbook, on the MyLuiss platform you will find the slides, and the exercises that will be constantly uploaded. The availability of additional materials will be announced during classes, but you have to check always for additional material that could have been uploaded.

Each class will typically begin with a short Q&A session aimed at addressing questions, clarifying concepts, and discussing insights emerging from previous classes. The class then shifts to the main lecture based on the day to day schedule. Students are encouraged to participate actively, as they are intended to reinforce understanding and support continuous learning throughout the course. The course adopts an interactive and practice-oriented approach. Active participation is expected and represents an important element of the learning experience. Students are encouraged to contribute to discussions, share perspectives, and engage constructively with peers and the instructor. In some cases, students may be asked to complete preparatory activities before class, including pre-readings, short exercises, or case preparation. Whenever assigned, these activities are considered an integral part of the learning process and students are expected to come prepared. Several sessions may include practical exercises, case discussions, or “from theory to practice” activities designed to connect conceptual frameworks with real-world business situations and managerial decision-making. The course should be considered as a collaborative learning environment, where active engagement, preparation, and participation contribute not only to individual learning outcomes but also to the overall quality of classroom discussion.

Attending Students Students attending the course will be evaluated through a combination of continuous assessment activities (1/3 of the final grade) and a final individual assessment (2/3 of the final grade). Continuous assessment is primarily based on students’ active participation and engagement during classes, including contribution to discussions, case studies, presentations, and other in-class activities developed throughout the semester. Continuous assessment is mandatory for attending students. At the end of the semester, attending students will complete an individual final assessment, accounting for 2/3 of the overall course grade. The final assessment aims to evaluate students’ understanding and application of concepts and skills developed throughout the course and will consist of a written examination. The combination of continuous assessment (1/3) and final assessment (2/3) applies exclusively to the examination dates scheduled immediately after the semester in which the course is delivered. Students taking the examination during subsequent retake sessions will be evaluated through a single final examination (100%), and the continuous assessment grade will no longer be valid. Non-attending / Exempted / Non-compliant Students Students exempted from attendance requirements or considered non-compliant will be assessed through a single final examination (100% of the final grade). The examination will be based on a broader study workload designed to compensate for the learning activities and knowledge acquired by attending students during the semester. Additional materials and requirements, if any, will be communicated during the course. Students are strongly encouraged to take the examination during the first available examination session immediately after the end of the course in order to maximize the benefits of continuous learning and assessment.

The rules, procedures, and eligibility criteria governing thesis assignments are defined at Department and University level. Students interested in undertaking a thesis are invited to refer to the official guidelines and regulations issued by the Department of Business and Management and by Luiss Guido Carli University. In particular, students should consult the Departmental Guidance document for writing a Master Thesis, available at: http://static.luiss.it/biblioteca-documenti/Thesis__guidance_v5_final__Jan_2020__Luiss_formatted.pdf General information on thesis preparation and academic writing is available at: https://biblioteca.luiss.it/en/guides/how-write-thesis Any thesis assignment will be considered in accordance with these rules and subject to the supervisor's availability and research interests.