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A firm has been experiencing low profitability in recent years. Perform an analysis of the firm's financial position using the DuPont equation. The firm has

A firm has been experiencing low profitability in recent years. Perform an analysis of the firm's financial position using the DuPont equation. The firm has no lease payments but has a $3 million sinking fund payment on its debt. The most recent industry average ratios and the firm's financial statements are as follows:

Industry Average Ratios
Current ratio 3.21x Fixed assets turnover 5.38x
Debt-to-capital ratio 19.99% Total assets turnover 2.87x
Times interest earned 2.92x Profit margin 2.07%
EBITDA coverage 4.03x Return on total assets 6.08%
Inventory turnover 10.40x Return on common equity 9.33%
Days sales outstandinga 31.66 days Return on invested capital 9.09%

aCalculation is based on a 365-day year.

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 (Millions of Dollars)
Cash and equivalents $66 Accounts payable $31
Accounts receivables 66 Other current liabilities 23
Inventories 125 Notes payable 47
Total current assets $257 Total current liabilities $101
Long-term debt 20
Total liabilities $121
Gross fixed assets 187 Common stock 98
Less depreciation 54 Retained earnings 171
Net fixed assets $133 Total stockholders' equity $269
Total assets $390 Total liabilities and equity $390

Income Statement for Year Ended December 31, 2018 (Millions of Dollars)
Net sales $650.0
Cost of goods sold 539.5
Gross profit $110.5
Selling expenses 71.5
EBITDA $39.0
Depreciation expense 7.1
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) $31.8
Interest expense 6.0
Earnings before taxes (EBT) $25.8
Taxes (40%) 10.3
Net income $15.5
  1. Calculate the following ratios. Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to two decimal places.
    Firm Industry Average
    Current ratio x 3.21x
    Debt to total capital % 19.99%
    Times interest earned x 2.92x
    EBITDA coverage x 4.03x
    Inventory turnover x 10.40x
    Days sales outstanding days 31.66 days
    Fixed assets turnover x 5.38x
    Total assets turnover x 2.87x
    Profit margin % 2.07%
    Return on total assets % 6.08%
    Return on common equity % 9.33%
    Return on invested capital % 9.09%
  2. Construct a DuPont equation for the firm and the industry. Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answers to two decimal places.
    Firm Industry
    Profit margin % 2.07%
    Total assets turnover x 2.87x
    Equity multiplier x x
  3. Do the balance sheet accounts or the income statement figures seem to be primarily responsible for the low profits? -Select-IIIIIIIVVItem 17
    1. Analysis of the extended Du Pont equation and the set of ratios shows that the turnover ratio of sales to assets is quite low; however, its profit margin compares favorably with the industry average. Either sales should be lower given the present level of assets, or the firm is carrying less assets than it needs to support its sales.
    2. Analysis of the extended Du Pont equation and the set of ratios shows that most of the Asset Management ratios are below the averages. Either assets should be higher given the present level of sales, or the firm is carrying less assets than it needs to support its sales.
    3. The low ROE for the firm is due to the fact that the firm is utilizing more debt than the average firm in the industry and the low ROA is mainly a result of an excess investment in assets.
    4. The low ROE for the firm is due to the fact that the firm is utilizing less debt than the average firm in the industry and the low ROA is mainly a result of an lower than average investment in assets.
    5. Analysis of the extended Du Pont equation and the set of ratios shows that the turnover ratio of sales to assets is quite low; however, its profit margin compares favorably with the industry average. Either sales should be higher given the present level of assets, or the firm is carrying more assets than it needs to support its sales.
  4. Which specific accounts seem to be most out of line relative to other firms in the industry? -Select-IIIIIIIVVItem 18
    1. The accounts which seem to be most out of line include the following ratios: Debt to Total Capital, Inventory Turnover, Total Asset Turnover, Return on Assets, and Profit Margin.
    2. The accounts which seem to be most out of line include the following ratios: Times Interest Earned, Total Asset Turnover, Profit Margin, Return on Assets, and Return on Equity.
    3. The accounts which seem to be most out of line include the following ratios: Inventory Turnover, Days Sales Outstanding, Fixed Asset Turnover, Profit Margin, and Return on Equity.
    4. The accounts which seem to be most out of line include the following ratios: Inventory Turnover, Days Sales Outstanding, Total Asset Turnover, Return on Assets, and Return on Equity.
    5. The accounts which seem to be most out of line include the following ratios: Current, EBITDA Coverage, Inventory Turnover, Days Sales Outstanding, and Return on Equity.
  5. If the firm had a pronounced seasonal sales pattern or if it grew rapidly during the year, how might that affect the validity of your ratio analysis? -Select-IIIIIIIVVItem 19
    1. Rapid growth would most likely affect the coverage ratios, with little effect on asset management ratios. Seasonal sales patterns would not substantially affect your analysis.
    2. Seasonal sales patterns would most likely affect the liquidity ratios, with little effect on asset management ratios. Rapid growth would not substantially affect your analysis.
    3. If the firm had sharp seasonal sales patterns, or if it grew rapidly during the year, many ratios would most likely be distorted.
    4. It is more important to adjust the debt ratio than the inventory turnover ratio to account for any seasonal fluctuations.
    5. Seasonal sales patterns would most likely affect the profitability ratios, with little effect on asset management ratios. Rapid growth would not substantially affect your analysis.
    How might you correct for such potential problems? -Select-IIIIIIIVVItem 20
    1. It is possible to correct for such problems by insuring that all firms in the same industry group are using the same accounting techniques.
    2. It is possible to correct for such problems by using average rather than end-of-period financial statement information.
    3. It is possible to correct for such problems by comparing the calculated ratios to the ratios of firms in a different line of business.
    4. It is possible to correct for such problems by comparing the calculated ratios to the ratios of firms in the same industry group over an extended period.
    5. There is no need to correct for these potential problems since you are comparing the calculated ratios to the ratios of firms in the same industry group.

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