Objective: To analyze the financial statements of a publicly traded company.
Obtain an annual report from a corporation that is interesting to you (available on company website, investor relations page). Using techniques you have learned in the previous weeks, respond to the following questions:
- Who are the firm's auditors? Do they provide a clean opinion on the financial statements?
- Have there been any subsequent events, errors and irregularities, illegal acts, or related-party transactions that have a material effect on the financial statements?
- Describe the trend in total assets and total liabilities for the years presented.
- What are the company's three largest assets for the most recent year presented?
- What are the company's three largest liabilities for the most recent year presented?
- What types of stock does the company have? How many shares are there outstanding for each type of stock for the most recent year presented?
- Does the company use the single-step or multiple-step income statement or a variation?
- Does the income statement contain any separately reported items in any year presented, included discontinued operations or extraordinary items? If it does, describe the even that caused the item. Hint: there should be a related footnote.
- Describe the trend in net income over the years presented.
- Does the company have other comprehensive income? If yes, what is the nature of the transaction(s)?
- Does the company use the indirect or direct method of the cash flow statement?
- What is the trend in cash from operations for the years presented?
- What are the 2 largest items included in cash from investing activities?
Guidelines
Papers must be 8 to 10 pages in length (this would be roughly 1/2 page per area included in the report), 10 point font, double-spaced, include a cover page, table of contents, introduction, body of the report, summary or conclusion and works cited.
Even though this is not a scientific-type writing assignment, references are still very important. At least 3 authoritative, outside references are required (anonymous authors or web pages are not acceptable). These should be listed on the last page titled "Works Cited".
Appropriate citations are required.