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	4.57x		Fixed assets turnover	5.87x
Debt-to-capital ratio	16.14%		Total assets turnover	2.95x
Times interest earned	17.69x		Profit margin	7.41%
EBITDA coverage	16.48x		Return on total assets	23.70%
Inventory turnover	10.58x		Return on common equity	29.25%
Days sales outstandinga	31.45 days		Return on invested capital	25.76%

^aCalculation is based on a 365-day year.

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016 (Millions of Dollars)
Cash and equivalents	$63		Accounts payable	$36
Accounts receivables	67		Other current liabilities	12
Inventories	131		Notes payable	32
Total current assets	$261		Total current liabilities	$80
			Long-term debt	24
			Total liabilities	$104
Gross fixed assets	198		Common stock	111
Less depreciation	63		Retained earnings	181
Net fixed assets	$135		Total stockholders' equity	$292
Total assets	$396		Total liabilities and equity	$396

Income Statement for Year Ended December 31, 2016 (Millions of Dollars)
Net sales	$660.0
Cost of goods sold	501.6
Gross profit	$158.4
Selling expenses	46.2
EBITDA	$112.2
Depreciation expense	15.2
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)	$97.0
Interest expense	3.4
Earnings before taxes (EBT)	$93.6
Taxes (40%)	37.4
Net income	$56.2

Calculate the following ratios. Do not round intermediate steps. Round your answers to two decimal places.

	Firm	Industry Average
Current ratio	x	4.57x
Debt to total capital	%	16.14%
Times interest earned	x	17.69x
EBITDA coverage	x	16.48x
Inventory turnover	x	10.58x
Days sales outstanding	days	31.45days
Fixed assets turnover	x	5.87x
Total assets turnover	x	2.95x
Profit margin	%	7.41%
Return on total assets	%	23.70%
Return on common equity	%	29.25%
Return on invested capital	%	25.76%

Construct a DuPont equation for the firm and the industry. Do not round intermediate steps. Round your answers to two decimal places.

	Firm	Industry
Profit margin	%	7.41%
Total assets turnover	x	2.95x
Equity multiplier	x	x

Do the balance sheet accounts or the income statement figures seem to be primarily responsible for the low profits?

A 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.

B 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.

C 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.

D 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.

E 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.

Which specific accounts seem to be most out of line relative to other firms in the industry?

A 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.

B 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.

C 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.

D 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.

E 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.

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?

A 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.

B 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.

C 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.

D If the firm had seasonal sales patterns, or if it grew rapidly during the year, many ratios would most likely be distorted.

E It is more important to adjust the debt ratio than the inventory turnover ratio to account for any seasonal fluctuations.

How might you correct for such potential problems?

A It is possible to correct for such problems by using average rather than end-of-period financial statement information.

B It is possible to correct for such problems by comparing the calculated ratios to the ratios of firms in a different line of business.

C 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.

D 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.

E It is possible to correct for such problems by insuring that all firms in the same industry group are using the same accounting techniques.