Problem:
Write an explanation that summarizes your evaluation.
Prior to writing the paper, you will need to research your chosen company. Search the Internet for the financial statements of your favorite company or your employer. You can either locate the corporate Web site for your chosen company, or you can select a company's financial statements from the EDGAR database at
https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm
Evaluate the financial health of a company and conduct an industry comparison to determine how your company's financial performance compares with others in its industry.
As you conduct your research, consider the following factors as a guideline for determining the financial health of your company:
- Financial data from the company's annual report or 10-K report
- Current and future financial performance of the company
- Success of the company's operations
- Policies and strategies of management
- Performance of the economy
- How the company is doing in comparison with its competitors in the same industry
- Your recommendations for corrections needed or future trends for the next quarter or next year.
The following sources provide comparative statistical ratios to help determine a company's relative position within its industry:
1. Dun & Bradstreet Information Services, Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios.
Murray Hill, NJ.
2. The Risk Management Association, Annual Statement Studies. Philadelphia, PA.
3. Standard & Poor's Corporation, Ratings Handbook and Industry Surveys. New York, NY.
4. Gale Research Inc., Manufacturing U.S.A. Industry Analyses. Detroit, MI.
Additional resources for comparative and other information about companies can be found on the following free Internet sites:
1. Yahoo!, https://finance.yahoo.com/
2. Market Watch, www.marketwatch.com
3. Reuters, www.investor.reuters.com
Be sure to cite your sources and include Web site URLs where appropriate.