8. DuPont equation Aa Aa Corporate dedision makers and analysts often use a particular technique, called a DuPont analysis, to better understand the factors that drivea company's financial performance, as refected by its retum on equity (ROE). By using the DuPont equation, which disaggregates the ROE into thiree components, analysts can see why a company's ROE may have changed for the better or worse, and identify particular company strengths and weaknesses The DuPont Equation A DuPont analysis is conducted using the DuPont equation, which helps to identify and analyze three important factors that drivea company's ROE. Complete the following equations, which are needed to conduct a DuPont analysis Profit Margin x Total Assets Turnover x Total Assets Sales Total Assets Total Common Equity Most investors and analysts in the financial community pay particular attention to a company's ROE. The ROE can be calculated simply by dividing a firm's net icome by the firm's shareholder's equity, and it can be subdivided into the key factors that drive the ROE. Investors and analysts facus on these drivers to develop a dearer picture of what is happening within a company. An analyst gathered the following data and calculated the various terms of the DuPont equation for three companies: ROE 12.0% 15.5% 21.5% Profit Margin x Total Assets Turnover x Equity Multiplier Company A Company B Company C 57.3% 58.2% 58.0% 9.8 10.2 10.3 2.14 2.61 3.60 Referring to these data, which of the following conclusions will be true about the companies' ROEs? O The main driver of company C's superior ROE, as compared to that of company A's and company B's ROE, is its efficient use of assets. O The main driver of company C's superior ROE, as compared to that of company A's and company B's ROE, is its greater use of debt inancing O The main driver of company A's inferior ROE, as compared to that of company B's and company C's ROE, is its use of higher debt financing