The article "Essentials of corporate finance" covers various aspects of financial management in businesses. It discusses topics such as analyzing financial statements, valuing future cash flows, making capital budgeting decisions, financing choices, financial planning, and international financial management. The main goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of how financial decisions are made within a company. Key findings include the importance of understanding cash flows, the impact of interest rates on bond valuation, and the significance of the cost of capital in investment decisions.