A public firm’s financial ratios can be easily found on any stock quote system

Sample Solution

Ratio Analysis of Two Public Companies This analysis will compare two publicly traded companies (Company A and Company B) to assess their financial health, profitability, and overall performance. We will utilize various financial ratios categorized as liquidity, leverage, profitability, asset management, and price ratios. Trading statistics will also be included in the analysis. Finally, we will draw conclusions based on the findings and industry benchmarks (where available). Data Collection: Financial ratio data can be obtained from various sources like:

• Company Annual Reports: Annual reports contain detailed financial statements and often include calculated ratios.
• Financial Databases: Websites like S&P Capital IQ or Bloomberg provide financial data and ratio calculations for many publicly traded companies.
• Stock Quote Websites: Basic ratios might be available on stock quote websites like Yahoo Finance or Google Finance.

Ratio Analysis: Company A vs. Company B (Industry Average - if available)

Ratio Category	Ratio Name	Company A	Company B	Industry Average
Liquidity	Current Ratio
	Quick Ratio (Acid Test)
Leverage	Debt-to-Equity Ratio
	Debt Ratio
Profitability	Net Profit Margin
	Return on Equity (ROE)
	Return on Assets (ROA)
Asset Management	Inventory Turnover
	Receivables Turnover
Price Ratios	Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio
	Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio
Trading Statistics	Price per Share
	52-Week High
	52-Week Low
	Trading Volume

Export to Sheets Ratio Comparison and Industry Benchmarks:

• Liquidity Ratios: These ratios assess a company's ability to meet short-term obligations. A higher current ratio and quick ratio indicate better liquidity. Compare the ratios between companies and see how they stack up against the industry average (if available).
• Leverage Ratios: These ratios measure a company's use of debt to finance its operations. A lower debt-to-equity ratio and debt ratio indicate a more conservative financial structure. Analyze the leverage ratios for both companies and consider industry benchmarks.
• Profitability Ratios: These ratios assess a company's ability to generate profits. Higher net profit margin, ROE, and ROA indicate better profitability. Compare profitability metrics between companies and consider industry averages.
• Asset Management Ratios: These ratios evaluate how efficiently companies manage their assets. A higher inventory turnover and receivables turnover indicate better asset utilization. Analyze these ratios for both companies and consider industry benchmarks (if available).
• Price Ratios: These ratios link a company's stock price to its financial performance. A lower P/E ratio might suggest a company is undervalued, while a lower P/B ratio might indicate the stock price is below the book value. Analyze the price ratios for both companies considering current market conditions and industry trends.
• Trading Statistics: Stock price, 52-week high, 52-week low, and trading volume provide insights into investor sentiment and market activity. Analyze these metrics for both companies to understand their recent performance and market interest.

Conclusions: Based on the ratio analysis and industry comparisons, draw conclusions about the financial health, profitability, and overall performance of Company A and Company B. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each company as revealed by the ratios. Limitations:

• Ratio analysis should be used in conjunction with other financial statement analysis techniques and industry-specific considerations.
• Ratios can be influenced by accounting policies and industry norms.

Future Steps: Further analysis might involve:

• Trend analysis to see how ratios have changed over time for each company.
• Comparative analysis with additional companies within the same industry.

By analyzing financial ratios and considering industry benchmarks, investors and analysts can gain valuable insights into the financial health and potential of publicly traded companies.