The fi nancial statements of Apple Inc. are presented in Appendix A. LO11 Instructions Answer the following questions.

(a) What was the amount of net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended September 27, 2014? For the year ended September 28, 2013?

(b) What was the amount of increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents for the year ended September 27, 2014?

(c) Which method of computing net cash provided by operating activities does Apple use?

(d) From your analysis of the September 27, 2014, statement of cash fl ows, was the change in accounts receivable a decrease or an increase? Was the change in inventories a decrease or an increase? Was the change in accounts payable a decrease or an increase?

(e) What was the net cash used by investing activities for the year ended September 27, 2014?

(f) What was the amount of interest paid in the year ended September 27, 2014? What was the amount of income taxes paid for the same period?

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS PROBLEM: Columbia Sportswear Company vs. VF Corporation