--%>

Understand and interpret financial statements

Our purpose this week: learning how to understand and interpret financial statements.

Assignment:

The class should discuss all of the questions listed below as they relate to the financial statements of any U.S. public company of your choice in its latest annual report. You can find the financial statements of any U.S. public company by visiting Yahoo Finance or MSN Money. If you work for a U.S. public company, you may want to use the financial statements of your company - but the choice is up to you.

1) What 3 items of important information does the income statement reveal about the financial performance of the company over the last three years?

2) What 3 items of important information does the balance sheet reveal about the financial position of the company over the last two years?

3) Can you identify the major sources of funding used by the company from the information presented in the company's annual report? If not, how could you get this information?

4) Who is responsible for:

      a) the issuance, and

      b) the content

of the company financial statements? 

5) What assurance, if any, is there that the financial statements are in compliance with GAAP, and are free of material misstatements?

6) Of what use, if any, are the notes to the financial statements?

   Related Questions in Corporate Finance

  • Q : Financial statements The concept of

    The concept of conservatism has been influential in the development of accounting theory and practice.  A major effect of conservatism is that accountants tend to recognize losses but not gains.  For example, when the value of an asset is impaired, it is wri

  • Q : Illustrates financial consultant has

    A financial consultant obtains various valuations of my company when this discounts the Free Cash Flow (FCF) as opposed to when this uses the Equity Cash Flow. Is it correct?

  • Q : Calculated betas when they give

    Calculated betas give different information if they are acquired by using weekly, monthly or daily data.

  • Q : What is the Capital Cash Flow What is

    What is the Capital Cash Flow?

  • Q : Calculated Free Cash Flow I think Free

    I think Free Cash Flow (FCF) can be acquired from the Equity Cash Flow (CFac) using the relation as: FCF = CFac + Interests – ΔD. Is it true?

  • Q : Expected return for a portfolio What is

    What is the expected return for a portfolio consisting of 200 shares of Nike, 200 shares of Home Depot, and 400 shares of Intel if their expected returns are 10%, 8% and 12% respectively, and their current prices are $25, $50, and $25 per share respec

  • Q : What is the current example of a value

    What is the current example of a value company and would you buy it as an investment. Why or why not?

  • Q : What is Regular meeting of day-to-day

    Regular meeting of day-to-day commitments: The estimation of WCR also helps to ensure that there is positive WC existence. This proves helpful in meeting requirements which are regular in nature such as payments of salaries, wages, rental charges etc.

  • Q : Assessing market expectations using CAPM

    Assume that the risk-free rate is 1% and the expected market return is 9%. You are considering purchasing Super Soft stock, which currently sells for $100 a share and will pay its next (annual) dividend of $1.00 exactly one year from today. Super Soft is considered to

  • Q : Which method must use to valuate young

    Which method must we use to valuate young companies along with high growth but uncertain futures? Two illustrations were Boston Chicken and Telepizza while they began.