Using Apple Inc. please help conduct an investor analysis comparing Microsoft and Sony to Apple Inc.

Note: Use Yahoo Finance or MSN Money for Data.

Introduction

Briefly describe each company. Discuss the similarities and differences among the companies. Your discussion should include relative size (revenues, employees, markets, etc.) , diversity of operations, markets in which they operate, and strategic focus. Any other talking points that are stressed by analysts should also be mentioned. Also state your personal objective as a potential investor. For example, are you looking for high growth potential? High dividend payout? Ethical investment? Etc..... Explain.

Ratios

The ratios you will be analyzing for all 3 companies are as follows:

• Earnings per share (EPS)
• Price- earnings ratio (P/E)
• Dividend Payout
• Dividend Yield
• Leverage ratio
• Gross Margin
• Net Profit Margin
• ROA
• ROE

• In this section, define AND discuss all NINE ratios. What information does each ratio give? Explain why investors would be interested in these particular ratios. You may need to research online for additional resources related to the selected ratios (include references).
• You will also need to show the ratios for ALL 3 companies. This means that you will provide a chart with a total of 27 ratios, nine for each company. Ratios can either be calculated using their financial statements and stock price information.

Display the ratios in a chart as follows

Ratio

1. Apple Inc
2. Microsoft
3. Sony

• Provide a brief analysis of each company based on the ratio results. Be specific. Highlight similarities and differences. For instance, the ratios cover the topics of shareholder value, investor risk, operating profitability and efficiency. Be sure to address all of these issues in your analysis.