Financial information for Dell and Gateway follows:

The Dell fiscal year ends on approximately January 30. Thus, its fiscal year ending 1/28/05 is comparable to the Gateway fiscal year ending 12/31/04.

Required
a. Compare Dell and Gateway in terms of their percentage changes in sales and gross margin.
b. Compare Dell and Gateway in terms of their gross margin percentages.
c. Compare Dell and Gateway in terms of inventory turnover and days’ sales in inventory.
d. In your opinion, which firm has had the best financial performance? Support your answer using your calculations in Parts a, b, and c.

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(In Millions) Dell Gateway 1/28/2005 1/30/2004 12/31/2004 12/31/2003 Sales $49,205 $41,444 $3,650 $3,402 Cost of sales 40,190 33,892 3,343 2,938 Gross margin $ 9,015 $ 7,552 $ 307 $ 464 Inventory 459 $ 327 $ 196 $ 114.