The purpose of this assignment is to employ accounting principles and relevant business practices to evaluate a companys performance and financial position through a comparison to industry data.

Locate the Critical Thinking CT 10.4 problem at the end of Chapter 10 in the textbook. This will serve as the structure for your assignment. Begin by choosing two competing publicly traded companies from the list below.

1. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo
2. Walmart and Target
3. Nike and Adidas

For the pair of companies selected, you will need to use each companys stock symbol to locate the liquidity, solvency, and profitability ratios on the MSN Money website. As part of your research, you will need to identify each companys stock symbol for the American market.

Review the competing companies ratios provided at the MSN Money website https://www.msn.com/en-us/moneywww.msn.com . Navigate to My Watchlist and enter the name of the company in the Quote Search. Identify and select the correct stock symbol.

Under the Analysis heading, use the Growth, Profitability, Price Ratios, Financial Health, Trading Statistics, and Management Effectiveness information to complete a 750-1,000 word comparison addressing the following:

1. Evaluate each companys liquidity relative to its competitor using at least three ratios
2. Evaluate each companys solvency relative to its competitor using at least two ratios
3. Evaluate each companys profitability relative to its competitor using at least three ratios

Note: You will be assessed on your ability to evaluate each companys performance based on the information provided at MSN Money. You do not need to calculate the ratios for individual companies or the industry averages.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Rubric

Evaluation of Liquidity, Solvency, and Profitability (B)

65 points

Criteria Description

Evaluation of Liquidity, Solvency, and Profitability (C1.2)

5. 5: Excellent

65 points

Explanation includes all elements. A thorough and comprehensive evaluation of two competing companies is achieved at the highest level. Data and appendix clearly and accurately represent findings.

Conclusion

26 points

Criteria Description

Conclusion

5. 5: Excellent

26 points

Conclusions drawn from data are valid, clearly stated and supported, and demonstrate high-level analysis of the issues.

Thesis Development and Purpose

9.1 points

Criteria Description

Thesis Development and Purpose

Argument Logic and Construction

10.4 points

Criteria Description

Argument Logic and Construction

Mechanics of Writing

6.5 points

Criteria Description

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

6.5 points

Criteria Description

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

6.5 points

Criteria Description

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)