ALEX: I see what I did wrong in my computations. Thanks for reviewing these calculations with me. You saved me from a lot of embarrassment! Mia would have been very disappointed in me if I had her showed my original work. So, now let's switch topics and identify general strategies that could be used to positively affect Hydra's ROE. YOU: OK, so given your knowledge of the component ratios used in the DuPont equation, which of the following strategies should improve the company's ROE? Check all that apply. Increase the firm's bottom-line profitability for the same volume of sales, which will increase the company's net profit margin. Use more equity financing in its capital structure, which will increase the equity multiplier. Increase the cost and amount of assets necessary to generate each dollar of sales because it will increase the company's total assets turnover. Decrease the company's use of debt capital because it will decrease the equity multiplier. ALEX: I think I understand now. Thanks for taking the time to go over this with me, and let me know when I can return the favor. 9. An analysis of company performance using DuPont analysis Walking down the hall of your office building with a sheaf of papers in his hand, your friend and colleague, Alex, stepped into your office and asked the following. ALEX: Do you have 10 or 15 minutes that you can spare? YOU: Sure, I've got a meeting in an hour, but I don't want to start something new and then be interrupted by the meeting, so how can I help? ALEX: I've been reviewing the company's financial statements and looking for general ways to improve our performance, in general, and the company's return on equity, or ROE, in particular. Mia, my new team leader, suggested that I start by using a DuPont analysis, and I'd like to run my numbers and conclusions by you, to see if I've missed anything. Here are the balance sheet and income statement data that Mia gave me, and here are my notes with my calculations. Could you start by making sure that my numbers are correct? YOU: Give me a minute to look at these financial statements and to remember what I know about the DuPont analysis. ALEX: OK, it looks like I've got a couple of incorrect values, so show me your calculations, and then we can talk strategies for improvement. YOU: I've just made rough calculations, so let me complete this table by inputting the components of each ratio and its value: Note: Do not round intermediate calculations for this part. If I remember correctly, the DuPont equation breaks down our return on equity (ROE) into three component ratios: the the ratio, and the And, according to my understanding of the DuPont equation and its calculation of ROE, the three ratios provide insights into the company's effectiveness in using the company's assets, and Now, let's see your notes with your ratios, and then we can talk about possible strategies that will improve the ratios. In the following table, select whether each of the ratios is correct or incorrect