Chris Guthrie was recently hired by S&S Air, Inc., to assist the company with its financial planning and to evaluate the companys performance. Chris graduated from college five years ago with a finance degree. He has been employed in the finance department of a Fortune 500 company since then. S&S Air was founded 10 years ago by friends Mark Sexton and Todd Story. The company has manufactured and sold light airplanes over this period, and the companys products have received high reviews for safety and reliability. The company has a niche market in that it sells primarily to individuals who own and fly their own airplanes. The company has two models:

the Birdie, which sells for $103,000, and the Eagle, which sells for $178,000. Although the company manufactures aircraft, its operations are different from commercial aircraft companies. S&S Air builds aircraft to order. By using prefabricated parts, the company can complete the manufacture of an airplane in only five weeks. The company also receives a deposit on each order, as well as another partial payment before the order is complete. In contrast, a commercial airplane may take one and one-half to two years to manufacture once the order is placed. Mark and Todd have provided the following financial statements. Chris has gathered the industry ratios for the light airplane manufacturing industry.

- QUESTION - Mark and Todd agree that a ratio analysis can provide a measure of the companys performance. They have chosen Boeing as an aspirant company. Would you choose Boeing as an aspirant company? Why or why not? There are other aircraft manufacturers S&S Air could use as aspirant companies. Discuss whether it is appropriate to use any of the following companies: Bombardier, Embraer, Cirrus Aircraft Corporation, and Cessna Aircraft Company.

Assets Current assets Cash Accounts receivable Inventory Total current assets S&S AIR, INC. 2018 Balance Sheet Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities $ 524,963 Accounts payable $ 1,068,356 843,094 Notes payable 2,439,553 1,235,161 Total current liabilities $ 3,507,909 $ 2,603,218 Long-term debt $ 6,300,000 Fixed assets Net plant and equipment $20,381,945 Shareholder equity Common stock Retained earnings Total equity Total liabilities and equity $ 460,000 12,717,254 $13,177,254 $22,985,163 Total assets $22,985,163 S&S AIR, INC. 2018 Income Statement Sales Cost of goods sold Other expenses Depreciation EBIT Interest Taxable income Taxes (25%) Net income Dividends $ 705,000 Add to retained earnings 1,612,789 $46,298,115 34,536,913 5,870,865 2,074,853 $ 3,815,484 725,098 $ 3,090,386 772,597 $ 2,317,789