What is the difference between the two companies on this ratio? What is a plausible explanation as to why they would differ? Is one company clearly different than the other?

Are there economic or end-market influences that explain why the ratios differ? What might they be?

Over time, is each companys overall financial performance improving, declining, or is something strange going on?

Do you think evaluating financial statements is a good idea? What do you regard as some of the shortcomings of financial ratio analysis?

LT Debt to Equity 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 Walmart Inc Apple Inc