Company Analysis Report

I need help with retrieving Annual report financial data, ratios, interpretation, and recommendations regarding investing in stock Sally's Beauty Supply stock

Main Company: Sally's Beauty

Competitor Comparison Co: Ulta or Sephor

In preparing this paper, assume that you are a stock analyst and a group of investors has approached you for investment advice on a particular company. The investors want detailed research reports on the company, including its financial strengths and weaknesses, relative position in the market and short- and long-term growth potential. Analyze the data you collect and make recommendations as to whether this group should invest in the company. Provide sound analysis and data to support your recommendations.

Guidelines for Completing Your Company Analysis

Select a company. Determine the information you will need to complete your analysis. You may want to select a company in which you own stock. Do not select conglomerate organizations for this assignment, as it is often too difficult to review all of the various market segments in a paper of this size.

Research the company. Start with the company's most recent annual reports. You can get information online at websites such as http://finance.yahoo.com. Also, publications like Value Line Investment Survey are available at most libraries. Your research should also include the industry in which the company operates and its main competitors.

Analyze the financial and accounting data and the other information you gathered.

Make a recommendation based on your research and analysis. Your analysis must support your recommendation because it is the most important part of the project.

Suggested Company Analysis Report Format

Provide a brief introduction about the company, including its history, main product(s), gross sales, net income, stock price movements, dividend payments, number of shares outstanding and so forth. When you report the numbers, make sure you include several years' data to see whether there is a trend. Some graphs may be helpful.

Describe the organization's core competencies.

Review the company's management to determine possible succession plans, age issues or nepotism issues.

Provide information about the industry, including the major competitors, related market shares, trends, new products or services and changes that are occurring within the industry.

Analyze the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows.

Provide a ratio analysis, review of the notes to the annual report and a review of significant organizational events since the publishing of the annual reports.

Provide your analysis, which may include outside opinions. (The analysis is the bottom line.)

Provide your recommendation. (Remember that your analysis must support your recommendation.)