Use the Internet to find the balance sheets of two companies with which you are familiar. Use percentages to analyze these balance sheets, and compare how well each is doing against the restaurant example from this chapter. Then contrast them to each other. Consider choosing either two similar companies, such as Target and Wal-Mart, or two different industries, such as an airline and a car manufacturer.

. How do the companies compare in growing owner's equity?

. How do the companies compare in reducing debt?

. Describe how you think market conditions (such as gas prices, for example) are affecting each company's growth.

Case Study Analysis