Ethics in Action Use the Guidelines for behaving ethically found on page 7 of the textbook (see below)to support what you would do in the situation that is described in the following two paragraphs. Be explicit in following the guidelines. You know that financial projections for publicly traded companies are public knowledge. You have also observed that stock prices are impacted by actual results compared to the projections. If a company has better actual results than projected, that typically causes stock price to increase. If a company's actual results fall short of projections, that often causes a drop in the stock price.

Your ethical question: you have calculated projected 2018 revenue, expenses and income. Should you adjust the financial projections that will be made public to show lower revenue and income so that the actual results are better than the financial projections? Part of your incentive pay is linked to stock price.

Guidelines for behaving ethically found on page 7 of the textbook: 1 identify an ethical decision by using your personal ethical standards of honesty and fairness. 2 Identify the consequences of the decision and its effect on others. 3 Consider your obligations and responsibilities to those who will be affected by your decision. 4 Make a decision that is ethical and fair to those affected by it.