Answers to Text Discussion Questions

3-1. Short-term lenders: liquidity because their concern is with the firm's ability to pay shortterm obligations as they come due. Long-term lenders: leverage because they are concerned with the relationship of debt to total assets. They also will examine profitability to insure that interest payments can be made. Shareholders - profitability, with secondary consideration given to debt utilization, liquidity, and other ratios. Since shareholders are the ultimate owners of the firm, they are primarily concerned with profits or the return on their investment. 3-2. a. Return on investment = Net income Total assets

Inflation may cause net income to be overstated and total assets to be understated. Too high a ratio could be reported. b. Inventory turnover = Sales Inventory

Inflation may cause sales to be overstated. If the firm uses FIFO accounting, inventory will also reflect "inflation-influenced" dollars and the net effect will be nil. If the firm uses LIFO accounting, inventory will be stated in old dollars and too high a ratio could be reported. c. Capital asset turnover = Sales Capital assets

Capital assets will be understated relative to sales and too high a ratio could be reported. d. Debt to total assets = Total debt Total assets

Since both are based on historical costs, no major inflationary impact will take place in the ratio. Assets are likely understated, however, causing ratio to be overstated.

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3-3.

The Du Pont system of analysis breaks out the return on assets between the profit margin and asset turnover. Profit Margin Net income Total assets = Net income Sales Asset Turnover Sales Total assets

In this fashion, we can assess the joint impact of profitability and asset turnover on the overall return on assets. This is a particularly useful analysis because we can determine the source of strength and weakness for a given firm. For example, a company in the capital goods industry may have a high profit margin and a low asset turnover, while a food-processing firm may suffer from low profit margins, but enjoy a rapid turnover of assets. The modified Du Pont formula shows: Return on equity = Return on assets (investment) (1 Debt/Assets) This indicates that return on shareholders' equity may be influenced by return on assets, the debt-to-assets ratio or a combination of both. Analysts or investors should be particularly sensitive to a high return on shareholders' equity that is influenced by large amounts of debt. 3-4. The fixed charge coverage ratio measures the firm's ability to meet all fixed obligations rather that interest payments alone, on the assumption that failure to meet any financial obligation will endanger the position of the firm. In both instances, we would not reflect a very significant cost of doing business. Of course, one could argue that, to the extent that differential tax rates of financing plans (and associated interest costs) did not reflect the operating capability of the firm, omission of these changes could provide new insights. No rule-of-thumb ratio is valid for all corporations. There is simply too much difference between industries or time periods in which ratios are computed. Nevertheless, rules-ofthumb ratios do offer some initial insight into the operations of the firm, and when used with caution by the analyst can provide information. Trend analysis allows us to compare the present with the past and evaluate our progress through time. A profit margin of 5 percent may be particularly impressive if it has been running only 3 percent in the last ten years. Trend analysis must also be compared to industry patterns of change.

3-5.

3-6.

3-7.

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3-8.

Disinflation tends to lower reported earnings as inflation-induced income is squeezed out of the firm's income statement. This is particularly true for firms in highly cyclical industries where prices tend to rise and fall quickly. Because it is possible that prior inflationary pressures will no longer seriously impair the purchasing power of the dollar. Lessening inflation also means that the required return that investors demand on financial assets will be going down, and with this lower demanded return, future earnings or interest should receive a higher current valuation. There are many different methods of financial reporting accepted by the accounting profession as promulgated by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Though the industry has continually tried to provide uniform guidelines and procedures, many options remain open to the reporting firm. Every item on the income statement and balance sheet must be given careful attention. Two apparently similar firms may show different values for sales, research and development, extraordinary losses, and many other items.

3-9.

3.10.

Internet Resources and Questions 1. 2. www.carlsononline.com/indexbrand.phtml#basicsearch www.sedar.com/search/search_form_pc.htm

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Solutions to Text Problems 3.1. a. Griffey Junior Wear Return on assets (investments) = = = b. Shareholders equity = = = Net income Total assets $100,000 $800,000 12.5%

total assets total debt $800,000 $200,000 $600,000 = = = Net income Shareholders equity $100,000 $600,000 16.67%

Return on shareholders equity

3-2. Net income

Watson Data Systems = = = Sales profit margin $1,200,000 0.06 $72,000 = = = Net income/ Total assets $72,000/ $500,000 14.4%

Return on assets (investments)

3-3.
Foundations of Fin. Mgt.

Walker Glove and Bat Shop

Net income

= = = = =

Sales profit margin $1,250,000 0.08 = $100,000 Sales/ Total asset turnover $1,250,000/ 3.4 $367,647 = = = Net income/ Total assets $100,000/$367,647 .2720 or 27.20%

Assets

Return on assets (investment)

3-4. Sales = = =

Hugh Snore Bedding Total assets total asset turnover $400,000 1.5 times $600,000 = = = = = = Total assets Return on assets $400,000 12% $48,000 Net income/ Sales $48,000/ $600,000 .08 or 8%

Net income

Profit margin

3.5. a. Return on equity

King Card Company = Return on assets (investment)/ (1 Debt/Assets) = 12%/ (1 0.40)

= .20 or 20% b. 3.6. a. The same as return on assets (12%) Lollar Corporation Total asset turnover = = = = = = = = = Return on assets/ profit margin 13.5%/ 5% 2.7 Return on assets/ (1 Debt/Assets) 13.5%/ (1 0.60) 33.75% Return on assets/ (1 Debt/Assets) 13.5%/ (1 0.40) 22.50%

b.

Return on equity

c.

Return on equity

3-7. a. b. Profit margin = =

Trace Manufacturing Return on assets/ Total asset turnover 7.2%/ 1.2 = 6.0% Total asset turnover Profit margin 1.0 7.2% = 7.2%

Return on total assets = =

3-8. Donovan Baileys Shoe Stores

a.

Net income

= =

Sales profit margin $3,000,000 6.2%

Foundations of Fin. Mgt.

= Shareholders equity Total assets Total liabilities liabilities

$186,000 = = = = = Total assets Total liabilities Sales/Total asset turnover $3,000,000/ 3.75 $800,000 Current liabilities + Long-term $90,000 + $200,000 $290,000 $800,000 $290,000 = $510,000 = = = Net income/Shareholders' equity $186,000/ $510,000 .3647 or 36.47%

= = Shareholders' equity =

Return on shareholders' equity

b.

Sales Net income

= = = = = =

Total assets Total asset turnover $800,000 3 $2,400,000 Sales Profit margin $2,400,000 6.2% $148,800 = = = Net income/Shareholders' equity $148,800/$510,000 .2918 or 29.18%

Return on shareholders' equity

3-9. a. b. Return on equity Net income/ Sales

Interactive & Silicon Interactive $15,000/ $100,000 = 15% $15,000/ $150,000

Silicon $50,000/ $160,000 = 31.25% $50,000/ $1,000,000

Foundations of Fin. Mgt.

Net income/ Total assets Sales/ Total assets $400,000 Debt/ Total assets c.

= 10% $15,000/ $160,000 = 9.375% $150,000/ $160,000 = 0.9375 $60,000/ $160,000 = 37.5%

= 5% $50,000/ $400,000 = 12.5% $1,000,000/ = 2.5 $240,000/ $400,000 = 60%

Silicons profit margin that was half that of Interactive, but with an asset turnover more than 2 that of Interactive we see Silicons return on assets was higher. Furthermore by leveraging its investment with a greater amount of debt Silicon is able to boost its return on equity to a greater extent than Interactive. A Firm Accounts receivable Average daily credit sales $360,000/ [($1,200,000 90%)/ 365] $360,000/ $2,959 per day 122 days

3.10. Average collection period = = = =

3-11. Credit sales

Chamberlain Corporation Accounts receivable AR turnover $90,000 12 $1,080,000 Credit sales/ 365 $1,080,000/ 365 = $2,959

= = = Average daily credit sales = = 3-12.

Bryan Corporation
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a.

Current ratio

= = =

Current assets/ Current liabilities $650,000/ $250,000 2.6

b.

Quick ratio

= (Current assets inventory)/ Current liabilities = ($650,000 $350,000)/ $250,000 = 1.2 = = = = = = Total debt/ Total assets $400,000/ $1,060,000 38% Sales/ Total assets $3,040,000/ $1,060,000 2.87 Accounts receivable Average daily credit sales $240,000/[($3,040,000 0.75)/ 365] $240,000/ $6,247 per day 38.42 days

c.

Debt to total assets

d.

Asset turnover

e.

Average collection period = = = =

3.13. a.

Simmons Corporation Times interest earned ratio = = = Income before interest and taxes Interest $60,000/ $12,000 5

b.

Fixed charge coverage ratio = Income before fixed charges & taxes/ Fixed charges = ($60,000 + $24,000)/ ($12,000 + $24,000) = 2.33 Sports Car Tire Company
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3-14.
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a. b.

Times interest earned

= =

c. d. e.

Fixed charge coverage = Income before fixed charges & taxes/ Fixed charges = ($6,000 + $ 1,000)/ ($1,000 + $500) = $7,000/ $1,500 = 4.67 Profit margin = Net Income/ Sales = $3,300/ $20,000 = 16.5% Total asset turnover = Sales/ Total assets = $20,000/ $40,000 = 0.5x Return on assets = Net income Sales (Investment) Sales Total assets = $3,300 $20,000 $20,000 $40,000 = 8.25% A Firm Times interest earned = = =

Income before interest and taxes Interest $6,000/$500 = 12

3-15. a.

b. Fixed charge coverage = Income before fixed charges & taxes/ Fixed charges = ($96,000 + $40,000)/ ($24,000 + $40,000) = $136,000/ $64,000 = 2.13 3.16.
Foundations of Fin. Mgt.

Income before interest and taxes Interest $96,000 $24,000 4

Status Quo Company

a.

Return on assets (investment)

Income aftertaxes Total assets

The return on assets for Status Quo will increase over time as the assets are amortized and the denominator gets smaller. Capital assets at the beginning of 1990 equal $300,000 with a ten-year life, which means the amortization expense will be $30,000 per year. Book values at year-end are as follows: 1990 = $270,000; 1992 = $210,000; 1995 = $120,000; 1997 = $ 60,000; 1999 = -0Return on assets (investment) = Income aftertaxes/ Current assets + Capital Assets 1990 = $26,000/$470,000 = 1992 = $26,000/$410,000 = 1995 = $26,000/$320,000 = 1997 = $26,000/$260,000 = 1999 = $26,000/$200,000 = b. 5.53% 6.34% 8.13% 10.00% 13.00%

The increasing return on assets over time is due solely to the fact that annual amortization charges reduce the amount of investment. The increasing return is in no way due to operations. Financial analysts should be aware of the effect of overall asset age on the return-on-investment ratio and be able to search elsewhere for indications of operating efficiency when ROI is very high or very low.
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c.

As income rises, return on assets will be higher than in part (b) and would indicate an increase in return partially from more profitable operations.

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3-17. a.

Quantum Moving Company Net income/total assets Year 1998 1999 2000 Quantum Ratio 12.5% 11.7% 10.0% Industry Ratio 11.5% 8.4% 5.5%

Although the company has shown a declining return on assets since 1998, it has performed much better than the industry. Praise may be more appropriate than criticism. b. Debt/total assets Year 1998 1999 2000 Quantum Ratio 58.0% 54.1% 50.7% Industry Ratio 54.1% 42.0% 33.4%

While the company's debt ratio is improving, it is not improving nearly as rapidly as the industry ratio. Criticism may be more appropriate than praise.

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3-18. a.

Global Products Corporation Medical Machinery Electronics Net income/sales 6.0% 3.8% 8.0% The heavy machinery division has the lowest return on sales. Net income/ total assets The medical supplies division has the highest return on assets. Corporate net income = Corporate total assets = = $1,200,000 + $190,000 +$320,000 $8,000,000 + $8,000,000 + $3,000,000 $ 1,710,000 $19,000,000 9.0% Medical 15.00% Machinery 2.375% Electronics 10.67%

b.

c.

d.

Return on redeployed assets in computers. 15% $8,000,000 = $1,200,000 Return on assets for the entire corporation: Corporate net income = $1,200,000+$1,200,000+$320,000 Corporate total assets $19,000,000 = $ 2,720,000 $19,000,000 = 14.32%

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3.19. Quinn Corporation a. Sales (2000) $110,000 (10,000 units at $11) Cost of goods sold $ 50,000 (10,000 units at $5) Gross profit $ 60,000 Selling and Admin. Expense 5,500 (5% of sales) Amortization 10,000 Operating profit $ 44,500 Taxes (34%) $ 15,130 Aftertax income $ 29,370 b. Gain in aftertax income 2000 $29,370 1999 23,100 Increase $ 6,270 Increase = $ 6,270 = 27.14% Base value (1999) $23,100 Aftertax income increased much more than sales because of FIFO inventory policy (in this case, the cost of old inventory did not go up at all), and because of historical cost amortization (which did not change). c. Sales (2001) $ 93,500 (10,000 units at $9.35*) Cost of goods sold $ 55,000 (10,000 units at $5.50) Gross profit $ 38,500 Selling and adm. Expense 4,675 (5% of sales) Amortization 10,000 Operating profit $ 23,825 Taxes (34%) 8,100 Aftertax income $ 15,725 * $11 x 0.85 = $9.35 The low profits indicate the effect of inflation followed by disinflation. 3-20. Inventory = $420,000/7 = $ 60,000
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Current assets Account rec. Cash

= = = = = =

2 $105,000 $160,000 ($420,000/365) 36 $41,425 $160,000 $60,000 $41,425 $58,575 $ 58,575 41,425 60,000 $160,000

Cash Accounts receivable Inventory Total current assets 3-21.

Shannon Corporation Sales/total assets Total assets Total assets Cash Cash Cash = = = = = = 2.5 times $750,000/2.5 $300,000 2% of total assets 2% $300,000 $6,000 10 times $750,000/10 $ 75,000 15 times $750,000/15 $ 50,000

Sales/accounts receivable = Accounts receivable = Accounts receivable = Sales/inventory Inventory Inventory Current assets Capital assets = = = = = = =

$6,000 + $75,000 + $50,000 = $131,000 Total assets current assets $300,000 $131,000 $169,000 2
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Current assets/current debt =

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Current debt

= = =

Current assets/2 $131,000/2 $$65,500 45% 45% $300,000 $135,000 Total debt current debt $135,000 $65,500 $ 69,500

Total debt/total assets = Total debt = Total debt = Long-term debt = = = = = =

Net worth

Total assets total debt $300,000 $135,000 $165,000

Shannon Corporation Balance Sheet 1999 Cash A/R Inventory Capital assets Total assets $ 6,000 Current debt Long term debt Total debt Net worth Total debt and shareholders equity $ 65,500 $ 69,500 $ 135,000 $165,000 $300,000 $ 75,000 $ 50,000 $ 169,000 $300,000

Total current assets $ 131,000

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3-22. a. Accounts receivable

Pettit Corporation = = = Sales/Receivables turnover $3,000,000/6x $500,000

b. Marketable securities = Current assets (cash + accts rec. + inventory) Current Assets = Current ratio Current liabilities = 2.5 $700,000 = $1,750,000 Marketable securities = $1,750,000 ($150,000 + $500,000 + $850,000) = $1,750,000 1,500,000 = $250,000 c. Capital assets Total assets Capital assets d. Long-term debt Total debt = = = = = = Total assets Current assets Sales/Asset turnover $3,000,000/ 1.25 $2,400,000 $2,400,000 $1,750,000 $650,000 Total debt current liabilities Debt to assets total assets 40% $2,400,000 $960,000 $960,000 $700,000 $260,000

= = = = Long-term debt = =

3-23.

U-Guessed It Company Sales/total assets Total assets Total assets = = = 2.0 $20 million/2 $10 million 40% $10 million .40 $ 4 million 5.0 $20 million/ 5.0 $4 million $20 million/365 days $54,795 per day 18 days $54,795 $986,301 $20 million/ [365/18] $986,301 $20 million/ 5.0 $ 4 million

Total debt/total assets = Total debt = Total debt = Sales/inventory Inventory Inventory Average daily sales = = =

= = Accounts receivable = = or = = Capital assets Current assets Cash = = = = =

= Total asset Capital assets = $10 million $4 million = $ 6 million Total assets inventory accounts receivable capital assets $10 m. $4 m. $986,301 $4 m. $1,013,699 = = = Current assets/ 3 $6 million/ 3 $2 million

Current liabilities

Long-term debt Equity

= = = = = =

Total debt current debt $4 million $2 million $2 million Total assets total debt $10 million $4 million $6 million $ 2,000,000 2,000,000 4,000,000 6,000,000 $10,000,000

Cash Accounts receivable. Inventory Total current assets Capital assets Total assets

$1,013,699 Current debt 986,301 Long-term debt 4,000,000 Total debt 6,000,000 Equity 4,000,000 $10,000,000 Total debt & equity

3-24.

Snider Corporation Profitability ratios Profit margin = $120,000/$1,980,000 = 6.06% Return on assets (investment)=$120,000/$900,000=13.3% Return on equity = $120,000/$580,000 = 20.69% Assets utilization ratios Receivable turnover = $1,980,000/$160,000 = 12.38x Average collection period = $160,000/$5,425= 29.09 days Inventory turnover = $1,980,000/$200,000 = 9.9x Capital asset turnover = $1,980,000/$410,000 = 4.83x Total asset turnover = $1,980,000/$900,000 = 2.2x Liquidity ratio Current ratio = $430,000/$170,000 = 2.53x Quick ratio = $230,000/$170,000 = 1.35x Debt utilization ratios Debt to total assets = $320,000/$900,000 = 35.56% Times interest earned = $225,000/$25,000 = 9x Fixed charge coverage = $260,000/$60,000 = 4.33x

3-25.

Jet Boat Ltd. Profitability ratios Profit margin = $72,800/$2,900,000 = 2.5% Return on assets (investment)=$72,800/$1,200,000=6.1% Return on equity = $72,800/$450,000 = 16.18% Assets utilization ratios Receivable turnover = $2,900,000/$100,000 = 29x Average daily sales = $2,900,000/365 = $7,945 Average collection period = $100,000/$7,945= 12.59 days Inventory turnover = $2,465,000/$375,000 = 6.57x Could be = $2,900,000/$375,000 = 7.73x Capital asset turnover = $2,900,000/$600,000 = 4.83x Total asset turnover = $2,900,000/$1,200,000 = 2.42x Liquidity ratio Current ratio = $600,000/$250,000 = 2.40x Quick ratio = $225,000/$250,000 = .90x Debt utilization ratios Debt to total assets = $750,000/1,200,000 = 62.50% Times interest earned = $185,000/$94,000 = 1.97x Fixed charge coverage = $185,000/$144,000 = 1.28x Note: sinking fund provision included

Comments: Jet Boat is a good vehicle to introduce seasonal and location considerations on ratio analysis. Note that the year-end is Dec 31. Based on that and assuming that Jet Boat is a retailer, the receivable and inventory turnover that look promising at first glance may indicate potentially devastating write offs/downs. If Jet Boat is located on, say the Georgian Bay, it would be in mid-off season. If it is located in Sydney, Australia, the threat of stock outs might be a concern as it would be in mid-selling season. Jet Boat Ltd. has a low profit margin, but a reasonable return on equity. This comes from a strong asset turnover and a high debt load. Du Pont analysis shows return on equity as 2.5% (profit margin) x 2.42 (asset turnover) divided by (1 - .625)(1 - debt/assets) = 16.1%. The asset utilization ratios show good efficiency but perhaps hint at over utilization. Sales may be lost if the firm is under capitalized and is trying to make due by overusing existing assets. The average collection period is very good. Is a discount offered? The liquidity ratios also appear good, with a heavy reliance on inventory. The debt utilization ratios reveal that Jet Boat Ltd. has only a small margin for error. The debt load is heavy.

3-26.

Smith and Jones Comparison One way of analyzing the situation for each company is to compare the respective ratios for each one, examining those ratios, which would be most important to a supplier or shortterm lender and a shareholder. Jones Corp. Smith Corp. 5.25% 12.00% 34.4% 14.3 25.6 days 13.3 4 2.28 2.5 1.5 65.1% 6 4.75 (133/28)

Profit margin Return on assets (investments) Return on equity Receivable turnover Average collection period Inventory turnover Capital asset turnover Total asset turnover Current ratio Quick ratio Debt to total assets Times interest earned Fixed charge coverage Fixed charge coverage calculation

7.4% 18.5% 28.9% 15.6 23.4 days 25 3.57 2.5 1.5 1.0 36% 24.12 13.33 (200/15)

a)

Since suppliers and short-term lenders are most concerned with liquidity ratios, Smith Corporation would get the nod as having the best ratios in this category. One could argue, however, that Smith had benefited from having its debt primarily long term rather than short term. Nevertheless, it appears to have better liquidity ratios. Shareholders are most concerned with profitability. In this category, Jones has much better ratios than Smith. Smith does have a higher return on equity than Jones, but this is due to its much larger use of debt. Its return on equity is higher than Jones' because it has taken more financial risk. In terms of other ratios, Jones has its interest and fixed charges well covered and in general its long-term ratios and outlook are better than Smith 's. Jones has asset utilization ratios equal to or better than Smith and its lower liquidity ratios could reflect better short-term asset management, and that point was covered in part a. Note: Remember that to make actual financial decisions more than one year's comparative data is usually required. Industry comparisons should also be made.

b)

3-27.

Retail Company Gross margin is healthy. Profit is weakening. This suggests higher fixed costs reducing profitability. Receivable and inventory turnovers are good indicating good management, but asset turnover ratios have weakened. This suggests a concern with sales volume. Has the company expanded too fast? Is an intensified sales effort required? Liquidity is good. Debt coverage is good. Weak return on equity is a combination of less than satisfactory profit margin and asset turnover.

3-28. Industry Profitability Ratios Profit margin Return on assets Return on equity Asset Utilization Ratios Receivable turnover Avg. Collection period Inventory turnover Capital asset turnover Total asset turnover Liquidity Ratios Current ratio Quick ratio Debt Utilization Ratios Debt to total assets Times interest earned Fixed charge coverage

Wizard Industries 199a 199b 199c

.4% .7% 2.0%

5.1% 10.2% 29.4%

.1% .1% .4%

5.8% 8.1% 20.3%

5.2x 70.3 4.1x 8.4x 1.9x

5.1x 71.7 4.2x 10.6x 2.0x

3.9x 93.4 4.9x 9.9x 1.8x

6.3x 58.3 4.3x 8.0x 1.7x

1.55 .82

1.71 .93

1.72 1.08

1.6 1.1

64.7% 1.15x 1.15x

65.3% 71.4% 60% 3.42x 1.02x 4.3x 3.42x 1.02x -

The profitability ratios do not appear healthy. Even in year (b) the profit margin did not reach the industry average. The relatively good

performance in year (b) seems to be dependent on strong sales. Good return on assets results from high asset turnover and the high return on equity is due to high debt levels. When sales arent maintained the results are evident in year (c). The asset utilization ratios reveal problems. The slowdown in the collection of accounts receivable is of considerable concern. The working capital position has become more dependent on A/R and we must question the quality of these receivables. Turnover is far below the industry average. Capital asset turnover is above the industry average and probably reveals that Wizard is overtrading and may not be reinvesting in assets. The increased inventory turns may also indicate overtrading. The liquidity ratios appear to be good. We should ask why. We have already identified the increasing A/R position. This would increase the liquidity ratios but it is hardly a healthy position. Furthermore, the longterm debt position has been increasing, perhaps as a substitute for shortterm borrowings. The debt utilization ratios suggest an increasingly precarious position. The profit failure has severely impacted on the debt load. Interestingly, dividends have been maintained, Creditors are increasingly holding the bag. Do not grant credit! Debt loads are increasing and shareholders are not showing a full commitment to the firm. An equity contribution and reduction of dividends is required. Furthermore sales are weak and this is impacting on profitability measures. Those sales that are made are being collected in a longer time. Are they less creditworthy? There is also evidence of a reluctance to reinvest in equipment (capital assets).

3-29.

Trend Analysis and Industry Comparisons Lamar Swimwear

199X Growth in sales Profit margin Return on assets Return on equity Receivable turnover Average collection period Inventory turnover Capital asset turnover (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) 7.35% 7.71% 8.02% 8.09% 15.90% 14.31% 7.06x 9.02x

199Y 25% 10% 6.12% 7.82% 6.80% 8.68% 14.20% 15.26% 5.79x 8.86x

199Z 25% 12% 6.38% 7.96% 5.70% 8.95% 13.98% 16.01% 5.21x 9.31x

51.7 days 63.0 days 70.1 days 39.9 days 40.6 days 38.7 days 5.22x or 3.48x 4.24x 1.85x 1.60x 5.75x or 3.98x 5.10x 1.96x 1.64x 6.47x or 4.52x 5.11x 1.35x 1.75x

Total asset turnover Current ratio Quick ratio Debt to total assets Times interest earned Fixed charge coverage Growth in E.P.S.

(Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry) (Company) (Industry)

1.09x 1.05x 2.04x 1.96x 1.00x 1.37x 49.58% 43.47% 4.57x 6.50x 3.50x 4.70x

1.11x 1.10x 1.72x 2.25x .95x 1.41x 52.12% 43.11% 4.13x 5.99x 3.35x 4.69x 4.1% 10.1%

0.89x 1.12x 1.31x 2.40x 0.78x 1.38x 59.23% 44.10% 3.06x 6.61x 2.75x 4.73x 2.9% 13.3%

Discussion of Ratios
While Lamar Swimwear is expanding its sales much more rapidly than others in the industry, there are some clear deficiencies in their performance. These can be seen in terms of a trend analysis over time as well as a comparative analysis with industry data. In terms of profitability, the profit margin is declining over time. This is surprising in light of the 56% increase in sales over two years (25% per year). There do not appear to be economies of scale for this firm. Higher costs of goods sold and interest expense appear to be causing the problem. The cost of goods increase could be the result of several things. A question that the analyst would want to answer is whether the decline in profit margin is the result of a strategic decision to drop unit price to increase sales volumes. Another explanation may be that the industry, with growth less than half of Lamars, has reacted to protect its market share with price reductions that Lamar had to at least partly match to maintain its momentum. Alternatively, the company may not have been able to maintain its efficiency. The return on asset ratio starts out in 199X above the industry average (8.02 percent versus 8.09 percent) and ends up well below it (5.70 percent versus 8.95 percent) in 199Z. The decline in return on assets is serious, and can be attributed to the previously mentioned declining profit margin as well as a slowing total asset turnover (going from 1.09X to 0.89X). The analyst does, however, have to question the rapid growth in fixed assets and consider how that rate of growth would impact on gross profit, especially Cost of Goods, specifically the efficiency of direct labor. It could be labour inefficiency and redundant assets put in place to generate growth in the succeeding period that give the results noted. Return on equity is higher than the industry average the first year, and then also falls far below it. This decline is particularly significant in light of the progressively larger debt that the firm is using. High debt utilization tends to contribute to high return on equity, but not in this case. There appears to be too much deterioration in return on assets translating into low return on equity. The previously mentioned slower turnover of assets can be analyzed through the turnover ratios. A problem may be found in accounts receivable where turnover has gone from 7.06X to 5.21X. This can also be stated in terms of an average collection period that has increased from 51 days to 69 days. The analyst would have to be careful to look at growth and seasonal trends. The company has a 25% per year increase in sales. There could be significant distortion in the resulting receivable and inventory ratios due to this. While inventory turnover has been and remains superior to the industry, assuming that the industry ratio is based on sales,

the same cannot be said for capital asset turnover. A decline from 1.85X to 1.35X was caused by an increase of 114 percent in capital assets (representing $740,000). We can summarize the discussion of the turnover ratios by saying that despite a 56% increase in sales, assets grew even more rapidly causing a decline in total asset turnover from 1.09X to 0.89X. This could, however, be consistent with a firm that expects continued rapid growth. The liquidity ratios also are not encouraging. Both the current and quick ratios are falling against a stable industry norm of approximately two to one and one to one respectively. The debt to total assets ratio is particularly noticeable in regard to industry comparisons. Lamar Swimwear has gone from being 6% over the industry average to 15% above the norm (59% versus 44%). Their heavy debt position is clearly out of line with their competitors. Their downtrend in times interest earned and fixed charge coverage confirms the heavy debt burden on the company. Again, this could be the result of productive capacity being added to support expected sales in a succeeding period, with an expected increase in debt to assets, which should be watched. Finally, we see that the firm has a slower growth rate in earnings per share than the industry. This is a function of less rapid growth in earnings as well as an increase in shares outstanding (with the sale of 8,000 shares in 199Z). Once again, we see that the rapid growth in sales is not being translated down into significant earnings gains. This is true in spite of the fact that there is a very stable economic environment. The decision on whether or not to invest depends on how the analyst interprets the various questions raised by the ratios. Certainly on their face, this does not appear to be an attractive investment. Investment Comments He would probably have difficulty justifying such an investment based on the performance of the firm. There is no dividend payout, so return to the investor would have to come in the form of capital appreciation if and when he was able to resell the shares. The prospects, at this point, would not appear to justify the purchase. This is particularly true when one considers that Mr. Adkins would be buying a minority interest (15%) and would not have control of the firm.