Background The income statement for Western Grain Company, a producer of agricultural products for industrial as Pase 469 well as consumer markets, is shown here. Western Grain's total assets are $4,2371 million, and its equity is $1,713.4 million. Consolidated Earnings and Retained Earnings Year Ended December 31 (Milions) 2017 Net sales $6.295.4 Cost of goods sold 2.989.0 Selling and administrative expense 2.237.5 Operating profit 1,068.9 Interest expense 33.3 Other income (expense), net (15) Earnings before income taxes 1,034.1 Income taxes 353.4 Net earnings 680.7 (Net earnings per share) $ 294 Retained earnings. beginning of year 3033.9 Dividends paid (305.2) Retained carnings, end of syear $3,409.4 Task Calculate the following profitability ratios: profit margin, return on assets, and return on equity. Assume that the industry averages for these ratios are as follows: profit margin, 12 percent; return on assets, 18 percent; and return on equity. 25 percent. Evaluate Western Grain's profitability relative to the industry averages. Why is this information useful?
Background The income statement for Western Grain Company, a producer of agricultural products for industrial as Pase 469 well as consumer markets, is shown here. Western Grain's total assets are $4,2371 million, and its equity is $1,713.4 million. Consolidated Earnings and Retained Earnings Year Ended December 31 (Milions) 2017 Net sales $6.295.4 Cost of goods sold 2.989.0 Selling and administrative expense 2.237.5 Operating profit 1,068.9 Interest expense 33.3 Other income (expense), net (15) Earnings before income taxes 1,034.1 Income taxes 353.4 Net earnings 680.7 (Net earnings per share) $ 294 Retained earnings. beginning of year 3033.9 Dividends paid (305.2) Retained carnings, end of syear $3,409.4 Task Calculate the following profitability ratios: profit margin, return on assets, and return on equity. Assume that the industry averages for these ratios are as follows: profit margin, 12 percent; return on assets, 18 percent; and return on equity. 25 percent. Evaluate Western Grain's profitability relative to the industry averages. Why is this information useful?
Essentials Of Investments
11th Edition
ISBN:9781260013924
Author:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Publisher:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Chapter1: Investments: Background And Issues
Section: Chapter Questions
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
Transcribed Image Text:**Background**
The income statement for Western Grain Company, a producer of agricultural products for industrial as well as consumer markets, is shown here. Western Grain’s total assets are $4,237.1 million, and its equity is $1,713.4 million.
**Consolidated Earnings and Retained Earnings Year Ended December 31**
*(Millions)*
*2017*
- **Net sales:** $6,295.4
- **Cost of goods sold:** 2,989.0
- **Selling and administrative expense:** 2,237.5
**Operating profit:** 1,068.9
- **Interest expense:** 33.3
- **Other income (expense), net:** (1.5)
**Earnings before income taxes:** 1,034.1
- **Income taxes:** 353.4
**Net earnings:** 680.7
*(Net earnings per share)*: $2.94
- **Retained earnings, beginning of year:** 3,033.9
- **Dividends paid:** (305.2)
**Retained earnings, end of year:** $3,409.4
**Task**
Calculate the following profitability ratios: profit margin, return on assets, and return on equity. Assume that the industry averages for these ratios are as follows: profit margin, 12 percent; return on assets, 18 percent; and return on equity, 25 percent. Evaluate Western Grain’s profitability relative to the industry averages. Why is this information useful?
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