THE KROGER COMPANY Selected Financial Information (amounts in millions, except per share amounts) 20X2 20X1 Total current assets 10,340 9,892 Merchandise inventory 9,143 8,712 Property and equipment, net of depreciation 21,016 19,619 Total assets 36,505 33,897 Total current liabilities 12,860 12,971 Total long-term liabilities 16,935 14,128 Total liabilities 29,795 27,099 Total shareholders equity 6,710 6,798 Revenue 115,337 109,830 Cost of goods sold 89,502 85,496 Gross profit 23,521 22,291 Operating income 3,436 3,576 Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense 2,914 3,094 Income tax expense 957 1,045 Net earnings 1,957 2,049 Basic earnings per share $2.08 $2.09

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC. Selected Financial Information (amounts in millions except per share data) 20X2 20X1 Total current assets 2,145 1,975 Merchandise inventory 471 517 Property and equipment, net of depreciation 3,514 3,442 Total assets 6,676 6,341 Total current liabilities 1,355 1,341 Total long-term liabilities 1,891 1,776 Total liabilities 3,246 3,117 Total stockholders equity 3,430 3,224 Revenues 16,030 15,724 Cost of goods sold 10,633 10,313 Gross profit 5,397 5,411 Operating income 410 816 Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes 417 827 Income tax expense 172 320 Net earnings 245 507 Basic earnings per share $1.49 $1.55

(8) Plant assets to long-term debt ratio.
			The Kroger Company =
Whole Foods Market, Inc. =
b. Which company appears to be more profitable? Explain your answer and identify which ratio(s) from requirement a you used to reach your conclusion.
c. Which company appears to have the higher level of financial risk? Explain your answer and identify which ratio(s) from requirement a you used to reach your conclusion.
d. Which company appears to be charging higher prices for its goods? Explain your answer and identify which ratio(s) from requirement a you used to reach your conclusion.
e. Which company appears to be the more efficient at using its assets? Explain your answer and identify which ratio(s) from requirement a you used to reach your conclusion.