Your boss asked you to analyze Green Hamster Manufacturing's performance for the past three years and prepare a report that includes a benchmarking of the company's performance. Using the company's last three years of financial reports, you've calculated its financial ratios, including the ratios of Green Hamster Manufacturing's competition-that is, comparable ratios of other participants in the industry-and submitted the report. Along with calculating the ratios, what else is needed for your report?
a. Making observations and identifying trends that are suggested by the ratio analysis
b. Identifying the factors that drive the trends in the ratios
c. Both of the above
Most decision makers and analysts use five groups of ratios to examine the different aspects of a company's performance. Indicate whether each of the following statements regarding financial ratios are true or false?
Statements
One possible explanation for an increase in a firm's profitability ratios over a certain time span is that the company's income has increased.
Market-value or market-based ratios help analysts figure out what investors and the markets think about the firm's growth prospects or current and future operational performance.
A company exhibiting a high liquidity ratio means it is likely to have enough resources to pay off its short-term obligations.
Debt or financial leverage ratios help analysts determine whether a company has sufficient cash to repay its short-term debt obligations.
Asset management or activity ratios provide insights into management's efficiency in using a firm's working capital and long- term assets.
Ratio analysis is an important component of evaluating company performance. It can provide great insights into how a company matches up against itself over time and against other players within the industry. However, like many tools and techniques, ratio analysis has a few limitations and weaknesses. Which of the following statements represent a weakness or limitation of ratio analysis?
A. A firm may operate in multiple industries.
B. A firm's financial statements show only one period of financial data.
C. Different firms may use different accounting practices.
Ratio analysis is an important component of evaluating company performance. It can provide great insights into how a company matches up against itself over time and against other players within the industry. However, like many tools and techniques, ratio analysis has a few limitations and weaknesses.