Refer to the financial report filed by Brunswick Corporation with the SEC for 2015 to answer the following questions:
(a) Who audits BC?
(b) Does the auditor's report for 2015 raise any concerns? Explain your answer.
(c) In the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis" (aka MDA, p. 24) you will find useful information to help you understand the firm's performance in 2015. - What helped gross margin improve?
- Why was the effective tax rate lower in 2015 than in 2014?
- Which businesses did the company sell in 2014-15, and what was the impact of these sales on the bottom line?
- What are their business segments, and which one is the most profitable? Which is the largest?
(d) What are the market's forecasts of consolidated earnings and revenues for BC in 2016 and 2017? (Hint: Visit Yahoo! Finance.)