An analysis of company performance using DuPont analysis A sheaf of papers in her hand, your friend and colleague, Chloe, steps into your office and asked the following. CHLOE: Do you have 10 or 15 minutes that you can spare? YOU: Sure, Ive got a meeting in an hour, but I dont want to start something new and then be interrupted by the meeting, so how can I help? CHLOE: Ive been reviewing the companys financial statements and looking for ways to improve our performance, in general, and the companys return on equity, or ROE, in particular. Eric, my new team leader, suggested that I start by using a DuPont analysis, and Id like to run my numbers and conclusions by you to see whether Ive missed anything. Here are the balance sheet and income statement data that Eric 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. Balance Sheet Data Income Statement Data Cash $1,000,000 Accounts payable $1,200,000 Sales $20,000,000 Accounts receivable 2,000,000 Accruals 400,000 Cost of goods sold 12,000,000 Inventory 3,000,000 Notes payable 1,600,000 Gross profit 8,000,000 Current assets 6,000,000 Current liabilities 3,200,000 Operating expenses 5,000,000 Long-term debt 4,500,000 EBIT 3,000,000 Total liabilities 7,700,000 Interest expense 732,000 Common stock 1,575,000 EBT 2,268,000 Net fixed assets 8,000,000 Retained earnings 4,725,000 Taxes 567,000 Total equity 6,300,000 Net income $1,701,000 Total assets $14,000,000 Total debt and equity $14,000,000 If I remember correctly, the DuPont equation breaks down our ROE into three component ratios: the net profit margin , the total asset turnover ratio, and the equity multiplier . And, according to my understanding of the DuPont equation and its calculation of ROE, the three ratios provide insights into the companys use of debt versus equity financing , effectiveness in using the companys assets, and control over its expenses . Now, lets see your notes with your ratios, and then we can talk about possible strategies that will improve the ratios. Im going to check the box to the side of your calculated value if your calculation is correct and leave it unchecked if your calculation is incorrect. Hydra Cosmetics Inc. DuPont Analysis Ratios Value Correct/Incorrect Ratios Value Correct/Incorrect Profitability ratios Asset management ratio Gross profit margin (%) 40.00 Total assets turnover 1.43 Operating profit margin (%) 11.34 Net profit margin (%) 12.15 Financial ratios Return on equity (%) 31.62 Equity multiplier 1.82 CHLOE: OK, it looks like Ive got a couple of incorrect values, so show me your calculations, and then we can talk strategies for improvement. YOU: Ive just made rough calculations, so let me complete this table by inputting the components of each ratio and its value: Do not round intermediate calculations and round your final answers up to two decimals. Hydra Cosmetics Inc. DuPont Analysis Ratios Calculation Value Profitability ratios Numerator Denominator Gross profit margin (%) / = Operating profit margin (%) / = Net profit margin (%) / = Return on equity (%) / = Asset management ratio Total assets turnover / = Financial ratios Equity multiplier / = CHLOE: I see what I did wrong in my computations. Thanks for reviewing these calculations with me. You saved me from a lot of embarrassment! Eric would have been very disappointed in me if I had showed him my original work. So, now lets switch topics and identify general strategies that could be used to positively affect Hydras ROE. YOU: OK, so given your knowledge of the component ratios used in the DuPont equation, which of the following strategies should improve the companys ROE? Check all that apply. Increase the cost and amount of assets necessary to generate each dollar of sales because it will increase the companys total assets turnover. Decrease the amount of debt financing used by the company, which will decrease the total assets turnover ratio. Reduce the companys operating expenses, its cost of goods sold, and/or the interest rate on its borrowed funds because this will increase the companys net profit margin. Decrease the companys use of debt capital because it will decrease the equity multiplier. CHLOE: 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.