Why would an analyst use the Modified Du Pont system to calculate ROE when ROE may be calculated more simply? Explain.
In fact, an analyst wouldn't use the Modified Du Pont equation to calculate ROE for exactly the reason stated above. What an analyst would apply the Modified Du Pont equation for is to assist analyze the factors that contribute to a firm's ROE. In other words, analysts utilize the Modified Du Pont system to "take apart" ROE to see what factors are influencing it.