Directions

    This Assessment is separated into four parts. In Part 1 of this Assessment, you will begin by researching and summarizing four of the benefits of financial analysis and indicating which is the most significant to you. In Part 2  of this Assessment, you will define and properly classify the financial classifications and ratios listed below.  In Part 3 of this Assessment, you will calculate and explain the significance of the Liquidity, Profitability, and Market Value financial ratios, and provide a year to year comparison of assessed financial trends. In Part 4 of this Assessment, you will compose an analytical essay in a minimum of 350 words reporting the one financial measurement trend you find to be most significant.

    Use the Word template provided to complete your Assessment.
    Questions

    Part 1.

    Locate and read the following article:

    Faello, J. (2015). Understanding the limitations of financial ratios. Academy of Accounting & Financial Studies Journal, 19(3), 75-85.

    Refer to pages 75 and 76 of Faellos (2015) work. In four separate paragraphs (one for each question), summarize four of the benefits of financial analysis mentioned in the journal article. In one paragraph, describe which one of the four benefits you consider to be most significant.

    Review the following financial data, then answer the questions below.

    Income Statement and Balance Sheet
    Company X Income Statement

    FYE 2014 and 2015

    Period Ending

    31-Jan-15

    31-Jan-14

    Total Sales

    $        485,651,000

    $        476,294,000

    Cost of Goods

                365,086,000

                358,069,000

    Gross Profit

                120,565,000

                118,225,000

    Selling General and Administrative

                93,418,000

                91,353,000

    Operating Profit

                27,147,000

                26,872,000

    Total Other Income/Expenses Net

                113,000

                119,000

    Earnings Before Interest And Taxes

                27,034,000

                26,753,000

    Interest Expense

                2,461,000

                2,335,000

    Income Before Tax

                24,573,000

                24,418,000

    Income Tax Expense

                7,985,000

                8,105,000

    Net Income From Continuing Ops

                16,588,000

                16,313,000

    Discontinued Operations

                285,000

                144,000

    Net Income (Net Profit)

    $  _    16,303,000

    $  _    16,169,000

    14,000,000 shares outstanding

    Market Share price per share

    $                    10.00

    $                    9.00

    Company X Balance Sheet

    FYE 2014 and 2015

    Period Ending

    31-Jan-15

    31-Jan-14

    Assets

    Current Assets

    Cash and Cash Equivalents

    $        9,135,000

    $        7,281,000

    Net Receivables

    6,778,000

    6,677,000

    Inventory

    45,141,000

    44,858,000

    Other Current Assets

    2,224,000

    2,369,000

    Total Current Assets

    63,278,000

    61,185,000

    Property Plant and Equipment

    116,655,000

    117,907,000

    Goodwill

    18,102,000

    19,510,000

    Other Assets

    5,671,000

    6,149,000

    Total Assets

    203,706,000

    204,751,000

    Liabilities

    Current Liabilities

    Accounts Payable

    58,583,000

    57,174,000

    Short/Current Long Term Debt

    6,689,000

    12,082,000

    Other Current Liabilities

    – 

    89,000

    Total Current Liabilities

    65,272,000

    69,345,000

    Long Term Debt

    43,692,000

    44,559,000

    Deferred Long Term Liability Charges

    8,805,000

    8,017,000

    Minority Interest

    4,543,000

    5,084,000

    Total Liabilities

    122,312,000

    127,005,000

    Miscellaneous Stocks Options Warrants

    0

    0

    Common Stock

    323,000

    323,000

    Retained Earnings

    85,777,000

    76,566,000

    Capital Surplus

    2,462,000

    2,362,000

    Other Stockholders Equity

    -7,168,000

    -1,505,000

    Total Stockholders Equity

    81,394,000

    77,746,000

    Total  Liabilities +  Stockholders Equity

    $        203,706,000

    $        204,751,000

    Number of Shares Outstanding

    14,000,000

    14,000,000

    Market Share price per share

    $                    10.00

    $                    9.00

    Part 2.

    Define the ten financial ratios below.

    Financial Ratios:

    Current Ratio
    Quick Ratio
    Accounts Receivable Turnover as a multiple
    Accounts Payable Turnover as a multiple
    Return on Equity as a percent
    Return on Assets as a percent
    Operating Profit Margin as a percent
    Net Profit (after tax) Margin as a percent
    Earnings per Share as a dollar value
    Price to Earnings as a multiple
    Part 3. Classify, calculate, and assess a) Liquidity and Turnover management of Current Assets and Liabilities, b) Profitability, and c) Market Value ratios. Please note outcomes as a multiple, percent, or dollar value.

    Liquidity and Turnover management of Current Assets and Liabilities
    In this section, properly classify which of the above (from Part 2) are the liquidity and turnover ratios. Then, using the data from the Income Statement and Balance Sheet, provide the correct calculation of these four liquidity and turnover ratios and an assessment of the companys ability to maintain liquidity and the management of current assets and current liabilities.

    Include the proper assessment of outcomes as positive or negative trends when all four ratio outcomes are factored as a group.

    b. Profitability

    In this section, properly classify which of the above (from Part 2) are the profitability ratios. Then, using the data from the Income Statement and Balance Sheet, provide the correct calculation of these four profitability ratios and an assessment of the companys ability to maintain if not improve profitability based on the amounts of Equity, Assets, and  levels of profits from Sales. Include the proper assessment of outcomes as positive or negative trends when all four ratio outcomes are factored as a group.

    c. Market Value

    In this section, use the price per share data, the Income Statement and Balance Sheet to provide the correct calculation these two Market Value ratios; Earnings per Share (EPS) and Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio. 

    Given the changes of EPS from one year to the next, what is your assessment of the company’s net income theoretically available for payment for investors holding common stock? As an investor to what extent are you more or less confident of the companys ability to add value to your ownership position?

    Based on the companys P/E ratio changes from one year to the next what might this tell us about either investor sentiments of future profits, or stock price/value given the ability to generate income at a set price? 

    Part 4. Overall Analysis

    In this section, you will compose an analytical essay in a minimum of 350 words. Based on the above, provide a proper assessment of the companys most significant negative trend and what corrective actions can be taken to improve results. You should search the Library, your textbook, and the internet using a variety of criteria to find academic sources that will support your assessment of the trends and actions that could be taken.

    Please address items 1 and 2 as the preliminary portion of your assignment.  And build on that commentary as the body of your overall assessment.

    1. The most significant concern is

    2. The quantitative aspect of this assessment of negative trends is based upon  ratios and comparative data

    Followed by:

    The corrective actions, research findings on interpreting financial ratio outcomes from Library, textbook, etc;, conclusion and references

    Minimum Submission Requirements

    This Assessment should be in a separate Microsoft Word document. Use this template for your Assessment.

    Respond to the questions in a thorough manner, providing specific examples of concepts, topics, definitions, and other elements asked for in the questions. Your paper should be highly organized, logical, and focused.

    Your paper must be written in Standard English and demonstrate exceptional content, organization, style, grammar, and mechanics.

    Your paper should provide a clearly established and sustained viewpoint and purpose.

    Your writing should be well ordered, logical and unified, as well as original and insightful.

    A separate page at the end of your paper should contain a list of references, in APA format. Use your textbook, the Library, and/or the internet for research.

    Be sure to cite both in-text and reference list citations were appropriate and reference all sources. Your sources and content should follow proper APA citation style. Review the APA formatting and citation style resources found in the Writing Center. The Writing Center can be found in the Academic Success Center in the Academic Tools area of your course. (It should be in Times New Roman 12-point font, include correct citations, Standard English with no spelling or punctuation errors, and correct references at the bottom of the last page.)

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