Presented here are selected data from the 10-K reports of four companies. The four companies, in alphabetical order, are BellSouth Corporation, a telephone company that operates in the southeastern United States. Caterpillar, Inc., a manufacturer of heavy machinery. Dollar General Corporation, a company that owns Dollar General Stores discount stores. Tiffany & Company, a company that operates high-end jewelry stores. The data, presented in the order of the amount of sales, are as follows. Dollar amounts are in millions.

Required
a. Divide the class into groups of four or five students per group and then organize the groups into four sections. Assign Task 1 to the first section of groups, Task 2 to the second section, Task 3 to the third section, and Task 4 to the fourth section.
Group Tasks
(1) Assume that you represent BellSouth Corporation. Identify the set of financial data (Column A, B, C, or D) that relates to your company.
(2) Assume that you represent Caterpillar, Inc. Identify the set of financial data (Column A, B, C, or D) that relates to your company.
(3) Assume that you represent Dollar General Corporation. Identify the set of financial data (Column A, B, C, or D) that relates to your company.
(4) Assume that you represent Tiffany & Company. Identify the set of financial data (Column A, B, C, or D) that relates to your company.
b. Select a representative from each section. Have the representatives explain the rationale for the group's selection. The explanation should include a set of ratios that support the group's conclusion.

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$20,561 6,254 3,261 2,603 398 4,750 36,301 Sales Cost of goods sold Net earnings Inventory or NA Materials and supplies Accounts receivable Total assets $2,627.3 1,885.2 144.6 386.4 NA $1,017.6 $18,110 13,374 1,665 632.0 453.4 72.8 NA NA 3,331 20,756 NA 99.5 827.1 914.8