Comprehensive Project:

The course project consists of a comparative financial statement analysis using all of the tools, methodologies and concepts mastered during the FSA course using two publicly traded companies (large cap and/or midcap stocks) competing in the same industry. Examples are Home Depot and Lowes, ExxonMobil and Chevron. (your choice).

The project is both historical and forward looking and should at a minimum address the following questions:

1) who has been and who is the superior competitor? Why?

2) Are the companies presently valued properly and why or why not?

3) What are the growth prospects for the companies and which company is a better investment to add to an investment portfolio and why?

4) Which company has superior qualitative and quantitative accounting metrics? Why?

5) What non-accounting factors influence your prediction and decision? Why?

6) Which company exhibits superior corporate governance metrics and corporate social responsibility and how did this influence your decision?

7) What recent activities did the companies undertake, e.g. M&A activity that influenced your decision?