12. You will need to use the Standard & Poor's Market Insight website (www.mhhe.com/edumarketinsight) for this problem. Observe the sales- to-net property, plant, and equipment ratio for fiscal 2003 for each of the following companies: AMR Corp., Oracle Corp., Alcan Inc., and Yahoo Inc. (From among the Excel Analytics programs on the left of your screen, consult the Annual Ratio Report.)

a. What does the ratio tell you about these companies?

b. How can you explain the wide differences you observe in the ratio?