The first part of the case, presented in the previous chapter, discussed the situation of Computron Industries after an expansion program. A large loss occurred rather than the expected profit. As a result, its managers, directors, and investors are concerned about the firm’s survival. Jenny Cochran was brought in as assistant to Computron’s chairman, who had the task of getting the company back into a sound financial position. Cochran must prepare an analysis of where the company is now, what it must do to regain its financial health, and what actions to take. Your assignment is to help her answer the following questions. Provide clear explanations, not yes or no answers. Use the recent and projected financial information shown next. 

a. Why are ratios useful? What three groups use ratio analysis and for what reasons?

b. Calculate the projected profit margin, operating profit margin, basic earning power (BEP), return on assets (ROA), and return on equity (ROE). What can you say about these ratios?

c. Calculate the projected inventory turnover, days sales outstanding (DSO), fixed assets turnover, and total assets turnover. How does Computron’s utilization of assets stack up against that of other firms in its industry?

d. Calculate the projected current and quick ratios based on the projected balance sheet and income statement data. What can you say about the company’s liquidity position and its trend?

e. Calculate the projected debt ratio, debt-to-equity ratio, liabilities-to-assets ratio, times-interestearned ratio, and EBITDA coverage ratios. How does Computron compare with the industry with respect to financial leverage? What can you conclude from these ratios?

f. Calculate the projected price/earnings ratio and market/book ratio. Do these ratios indicate that investors are expected to have a high or low opinion of the company?

g. Perform a common size analysis and percentage change analysis. What do these analyses tell you about Computron?

h. Use the extended DuPont equation to provide a breakdown of Computron’s projected return on equity. How does the projection compare with the previous years and with the industry’s DuPont equation?

i. What are some potential problems and limitations of financial ratio analysis?

j. What are some qualitative factors that analysts should consider when evaluating a company’s likely future financial performance?

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Balance Sheets (Millions of Dollars) Assets Cash and equivalents Short-term investments Accounts receivable Inventories Total current assets Net fixed assets Total assets Liabilities and equity Accounts payable Notes payable Accruals Total current liabilities Long-term bonds Total liabilities Common stock (100,000 shares) Retained earnings Total common equity Total liabilities and equity Note: "E" denotes the "estimated forecast." 2020 $ 60 100 400 620 $ 1,180 2,900 $4,080 2020 $ 300 50 200 $ 550 800 $1,350 1,000 1,730 $2,730 $4,080 2021 $ 50 10 520 820 $1,400 3,500 $4,900 2021 $ 400 250 240 $ 890 1,100 $ 1,990 1,000 1,910 $2,910 $4,900 2022E $ 60 50 530 660 $1,300 3,700 $5,000 2022E $ 330 100 270 $ 700 1,100 $1,800 1,000 2,200 $3,200 $5,000