As general background study the "Five-Year Summary of Financial and Operating Results."

Instructions:

a.Compute the following for the fiscal years ending January 31, 2016, and February 1, 2015 (round percentages to the nearest tenth of 1 percent):

1. Percentage change in net sales (relative to the prior year).

2. Percentage change in net earnings.

3. Gross profit rate.

4.Net income as a percentage of sales.

5. Return on average total assets.

6. Return on average total equity.

b. Write a statement that describes your conclusion(s) concerning trends in Home Depot's profitability during the period covered in your analysis in part a. above. Justify your conclusion(s).