Assignment [25 Marks] Important Warning: Do not use artificial intelligence to answer assignment questions. If our system detects AI-generated responses, you will not receive any marks. Make sure to complete the assignment answers on your own. Good luck, students! A company has assets equal to six times the owner's equity, including a factory valued at $2,000,000. The company's sales are nine times the owner's equity, and the profit margin is 7%. What is the firm's ROA? Given the following returns: Investment Average Return Small Stocks 23.1% S&P 500 13.7% Corporate Bonds 7.2% Treasury Bonds 6.5% 4.4% Treasury Bills What is the excess return for Treasury Bills if you had to pay a transaction cost of $10?%? Case Study Question SmartHome Solutions, a mid-sized company specializing in smart home devices, has been successful in selling premium products such as smart thermostats, lighting systems, and home security solutions. For years, they've dominated the high-end market by offering products known for their innovation, sleek design, and reliable customer support. However, in recent times, the company has seen a significant decline in sales due to increased competition from cheaper alternatives sold by larger tech giants. These competitors are producing similar products at a fraction of the price, appealing to budget-conscious customers without compromising too much on functionality. As a result, SmartHome is losing market share, especially in middle-income households. The product development team suggests launching a new line of affordable smart home devices to compete with low-cost competitors and expand the company's customer base. They argue that entering the mass market with cost-effective products will allow SmartHome to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing smart home industry. However, the branding and operations teams are concerned that introducing lower-cost products will dilute the premium image of the brand. They propose focusing on enhancing the existing high-end products through innovation and exclusive features that would justify their higher price points and maintain SmartHome's position as a luxury brand. SmartHome Solutions' leadership is divided on whether to prioritize affordability to capture the mass market or reinforce its premium brand image by offering advanced, high-end products. What strategy should SmartHome adopt to sustain its growth and remain competitive in the evolving smart home industry?