1. Strategy Exercise: Metrics are only informationâit is up to you to interpret and use them. Interpret the following metrics and identify what they might mean by addressing the questions that follow them.
a. Compare the following two recruiting sources:
Source X Source Y
Cost $200,000 $200,000
Number of New Hires 20 10
Cost per Hire $10,000 $20,000
Which program do you conclude is better? Why?
If the hires from source X are retained for two years, and the hires from source Y are retained for five years, would your conclusion change? Why?
What additional information would you need to make a recommendation about the source thatâs preferable?
b. The turnover rates of different employee subgroups of a firm are as follows:
Employee Group Turnover Rate (%)
Under 6 months tenure 85
6 months to 1 year tenure 60
1 to 2 years 30
Over 2 years 12
High performers 25
Moderate performers 20
Low performers 10
In what ways is turnover a problem for this company?
How could the company address the situation?
1. Strategy Exercise: Metrics are only informationâit is up to you to interpret and use them. Interpret the following metrics and identify what they might mean by addressing the questions that follow them.
a. Compare the following two recruiting sources:
Source X Source Y
Cost $200,000 $200,000
Number of New Hires 20 10
Cost per Hire $10,000 $20,000
Which program do you conclude is better? Why?
If the hires from source X are retained for two years, and the hires from source Y are retained for five years, would your conclusion change? Why?
What additional information would you need to make a recommendation about the source thatâs preferable?
b. The turnover rates of different employee subgroups of a firm are as follows:
Employee Group Turnover Rate (%)
Under 6 months tenure 85
6 months to 1 year tenure 60
1 to 2 years 30
Over 2 years 12
High performers 25
Moderate performers 20
Low performers 10
In what ways is turnover a problem for this company?
How could the company address the situation?
Related questions
1. Apply to actual companies the basic knowledge and analytical techniques learned from our course.
2. Prepare common-size financial statements, comparative financial statements, and various profitability and risk ratios.
3. Compare the calculated results with competitors and across different years.
4. Summarize the analyses and make investment recommendations.
You will be analyzing the following firms:
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
For these firms, download the most recent annual report (10-K report) to begin your work. In 10-K reports, you can find companiesâ basic information, financial statements, footnotes to the financials, and the management discussions and analyses. Please download the 10-K reports from the following web links:
10-K reports (fiscal year 2016) for Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000119312517104341/d265187d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2015) for Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000119312516525847/d120289d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2014) for Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000119312515118009/d851953d10k.htm#tx851953_13
10-K reports (fiscal year 2016) for Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/278130/000119312517136345/d343458d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2015) for Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/278130/000119312516556025/d133529d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2014) for Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/278130/000119312515153179/d881010d10k.htm#toc881010_13
For your convenience, I also provided the balance sheet and income statement of each company for the most recent years at the end (page 5-8; Table 1-4). Please use them to prepare common-size financial statements and comparative financial statements.
Guidance
The required tasks are detailed below:
(1) Prepare common-size balance sheets and income statements for both companies. Note: Compute for the most recent THREE years.
(2) Prepare comparative analysis (i.e., change of percentage analysis) on income statement and balance sheet for both companies. You should compute for the most recent THREE years.
(3) Prepare ratio analyses (for the same THREE year time period) for both companies. At least, you should include the following ratios in your computations: (1) current ratio, (2) acid-test ratio, (3) receivables turnover, (4) inventory turnover, (5) asset turnover, (6) profit margin on sales, (7) rate of return on assets, (8) rate of return on common stock equity, (9) earnings per share, (10) payout ratio, (11) debt to total assets ratio, (12) times interest earned, (13) cash debt coverage ratio, and (14) book value per share.
(4) Comment on the analytical results of the two companies. Your comments should concentrate on the trends across the companies. In addition to contrasting the ratios between the companies, you should interpret the numbers and make suggestions as to why the ratio of one company might be higher/lower than the other.
(5) Write a conclusive summary on the firms you have studied. Based upon your conclusions, recommend the better performing firm for potential investment. Your conclusions should be based upon, and specifically reference, the analyses prepared in this report.
(6) Read sample project to get some ideas.
Report Format Requirements:
A. Report body requirements:
Cover page. List the title of the project, your names, and semester/year.
Abstract or Executive Summary. This is a separate page. It should cover the purpose of the project, the major findings, and the conclusions/recommendations, in summary form.
Table of Contents.
Main body. Use the following sequence for report content:
Introduction to the two companies and to the purpose of the report
Analytical section. This should include all your numerical analyses. This is where you will discuss the results of, comments on, and conclusions about the vertical and horizontal common-size statements, comparative analysis (i.e., change of percentage analysis), and the ratio analyses for both companies.
Comparisons of companies and all other analysis (observations and/or interpretations). (You may combine b and c if you wish, as long as both are well covered.)
Conclusions and recommendation for investment.
References. List all major reference sources.
Appendices. Include tables and graphs of your numerical analyses. For reference convenience, assign a title to each separate item, such as Table 1, Exhibit 1, etc.
B. Typesetting requirements:
Use size 12 font. Times New Roman is preferred.
Double space between lines.
Number pages in accordance with the APA style guide.
One inch on all sides.
Do not right justify text. Use left justify.
Minimum length: 8 pages. (Note: You can easily meet the minimum length requirement since you will have a lot of tables in the paper.)
The submitted work should be in ONE file with a word or pdf format. An Excel spreadsheet file is NOT acceptable.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade of âFâ to the course and be subject to appropriate disciplines.
NOTES:
A portion of your grade will be assessed based on the overall report quality, clarity, format, and cohesiveness.
A FREE RIDER in the group will not be tolerated. However, to report an alleged free rider, you should send me a formal written complaint. You should carefully manage your group over the semester to ensure that no teammate will take the chance of turning into a free rider. Try to contact/manage your teammates frequently and inform me if any member is not willing to participate the group work so we can address this issue ASAP. A free rider will receive his/her group project grades solely based on what he/she has contributed to the projects. If there is a free-rider in your group or a member drops the class, the rest of the group members are still expected to submit a COMPLETE paper.
Again, the balance sheet and income statements are provided at the end. Please use them to prepare common-size and comparative financial statements.
Table 1. Williams-Sonoma, Inc ----Balance Sheet
| Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | ||||
| BALANCE SHEET | ||||
| Fiscal Years 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 | ||||
| (In thousands) | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 |
| ASSETS | ||||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 213,713 | $ 193,647 | $ 222,927 | 330121 |
| Restricted cash | â | â | â | 14289 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 88,803 | 79,304 | 67,465 | 60,330 |
| Merchandise inventories, net | 977,505 | 978,138 | 887,701 | 813,160 |
| Prepaid catalog expenses | 23,625 | 28,919 | 33,942 | 33,556 |
| Prepaid expenses | 52,882 | 44,654 | 36,265 | 35,309 |
| Deferred income taxes, net | â | â | 130,618 | 121,486 |
| Other assets | 10,652 | 11,438 | 13,005 | 10,852 |
| Total current assets | 1,367,180 | 1,336,100 | 1,391,923 | 1,419,103 |
| Property and equipment, net | 923,283 | 886,813 | 883,012 | 849,293 |
| Deferred income taxes, net | 135,238 | 141,784 | 4,265 | 13,824 |
| Other assets, net | 51,178 | 52,730 | 51,077 | 54,514 |
| Total assets | $ 2,476,879 | $ 2,417,427 | $ 2,330,277 | 2,336,734 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERSâ EQUITY | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Accounts payable | $ 453,710 | $ 447,412 | $ 397,037 | 404791 |
| Accrued salaries, benefits and other liabilities | 130,187 | 127,122 | 136,012 | 138,181 |
| Customer deposits | 294,276 | 296,827 | 261,679 | 228,193 |
| Income taxes payable | 23,245 | 67,052 | 32,488 | 49,365 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | â | â | 1,968 | 1,785 |
| Other liabilities | 59,838 | 58,014 | 46,764 | 38,781 |
| Total current liabilities | 961,256 | 996,427 | 875,948 | 861,096 |
| Deferred rent and lease incentives | 196,188 | 173,061 | 166,925 | 157,856 |
| Long-term debt | 1,968 | |||
| Other long-term obligations | 71,215 | 49,713 | 62,698 | 59,812 |
| Total liabilities | 1,228,659 | 1,219,201 | 1,105,571 | 1,080,732 |
| Stockholdersâ equity | ||||
| Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 7,500 shares authorized; none issued | â | â | â | 0 |
| Common stock: $.01 par value; 253,125 shares authorized; | ||||
| 87,325 and 89,563 shares issued and outstanding at | 873 | 896 | 919 | 941 |
| January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 556,928 | 541,307 | 527,261 | 522,595 |
| Retained earnings | 701,702 | 668,545 | 701,214 | 729,043 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (9,903) | (10,616) | (2,548) | 6524 |
| Treasury stock â at cost: 20 and 29 shares as of January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively | (1,380) | (1,906) | (2,140) | (3,101) |
| Total stockholdersâ equity | 1,248,220 | 1,198,226 | 1,224,706 | 1,256,002 |
| Total liabilities and stockholdersâ equity | $ 2,476,879 | $ 2,417,427 | $ 2,330,277 | 2,336,734 |
Table 2. Williams-Sonoma, Inc --- Statement of Income
| Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | ||||
| STATEMENT OF INCOME | ||||
| Fiscal Years 2016, 2015, 2014,2013 | ||||
| (In thousands) | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 |
| E-commerce net revenues | $ 2,633,602 | $ 2,522,580 | $ 2,370,694 | $ 2,115,022 |
| Retail net revenues | 2,450,210 | 2,453,510 | 2,328,025 | 2,272,867 |
| Net revenues | 5,083,812 | 4,976,090 | 4,698,719 | 4,387,889 |
| Cost of goods sold | 3,200,502 | 3,131,876 | 2,898,215 | 2,683,673 |
| Gross profit | 1,883,310 | 1,844,214 | 1,800,504 | 1,704,216 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,410,711 | 1,355,580 | 1,298,239 | 1,252,118 |
| Operating income | 472,599 | 488,634 | 502,265 | 452,098 |
| Interest (income) expense, net | 688 | 627 | 62 | (584) |
| Earnings before income taxes | 471,911 | 488,007 | 502,203 | 452,682 |
| Income taxes | 166,524 | 177,939 | 193,349 | 173,780 |
| Net earnings | $ 305,387 | $ 310,068 | $ 308,854 | $ 278,902 |
just need help with 3 & 4
LINKS ARE PROVIDED YOU JUST HAVE TO COPY AND PASTE ON YOUR SEARCH BAR
10-K reports (fiscal year 2015) for Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
LINK 1
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000119312517104341/d265187d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2015) for Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
LINK 2
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000119312516525847/d120289d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2014) for Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
LINK 3
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/719955/000119312515118009/d851953d10k.htm#tx851953_13
10-K reports (fiscal year 2016) for Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
LINK 4
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/278130/000119312517136345/d343458d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2015) for Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
LINK 5
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/278130/000119312516556025/d133529d10k.htm
10-K reports (fiscal year 2014) for Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
LINK 6
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/278130/000119312515153179/d881010d10k.htm#toc881010_13
(3) Prepare ratio analyses (for the same THREE year time period) for both companies. At least, you should include the following ratios in your computations: (1) current ratio, (2) acid-test ratio, (3) receivables turnover, (4) inventory turnover, (5) asset turnover, (6) profit margin on sales, (7) rate of return on assets, (8) rate of return on common stock equity, (9) earnings per share, (10) payout ratio, (11) debt to total assets ratio, (12) times interest earned, (13) cash debt coverage ratio, and (14) book value per share.
(4) Comment on the analytical results of the two companies. Your comments should concentrate on the trends across the companies. In addition to contrasting the ratios between the companies, you should interpret the numbers and make suggestions as to why the ratio of one company might be higher/lower than the other.
Table 1. Williams-Sonoma, Inc ----Balance Sheet
| Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | ||||
| BALANCE SHEET | ||||
| Fiscal Years 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 | ||||
| (In thousands) | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 |
| ASSETS | ||||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 213,713 | $ 193,647 | $ 222,927 | 330121 |
| Restricted cash | â | â | â | 14289 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 88,803 | 79,304 | 67,465 | 60,330 |
| Merchandise inventories, net | 977,505 | 978,138 | 887,701 | 813,160 |
| Prepaid catalog expenses | 23,625 | 28,919 | 33,942 | 33,556 |
| Prepaid expenses | 52,882 | 44,654 | 36,265 | 35,309 |
| Deferred income taxes, net | â | â | 130,618 | 121,486 |
| Other assets | 10,652 | 11,438 | 13,005 | 10,852 |
| Total current assets | 1,367,180 | 1,336,100 | 1,391,923 | 1,419,103 |
| Property and equipment, net | 923,283 | 886,813 | 883,012 | 849,293 |
| Deferred income taxes, net | 135,238 | 141,784 | 4,265 | 13,824 |
| Other assets, net | 51,178 | 52,730 | 51,077 | 54,514 |
| Total assets | $ 2,476,879 | $ 2,417,427 | $ 2,330,277 | 2,336,734 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERSâ EQUITY | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Accounts payable | $ 453,710 | $ 447,412 | $ 397,037 | 404791 |
| Accrued salaries, benefits and other liabilities | 130,187 | 127,122 | 136,012 | 138,181 |
| Customer deposits | 294,276 | 296,827 | 261,679 | 228,193 |
| Income taxes payable | 23,245 | 67,052 | 32,488 | 49,365 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | â | â | 1,968 | 1,785 |
| Other liabilities | 59,838 | 58,014 | 46,764 | 38,781 |
| Total current liabilities | 961,256 | 996,427 | 875,948 | 861,096 |
| Deferred rent and lease incentives | 196,188 | 173,061 | 166,925 | 157,856 |
| Long-term debt | 1,968 | |||
| Other long-term obligations | 71,215 | 49,713 | 62,698 | 59,812 |
| Total liabilities | 1,228,659 | 1,219,201 | 1,105,571 | 1,080,732 |
| Stockholdersâ equity | ||||
| Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 7,500 shares authorized; none issued | â | â | â | 0 |
| Common stock: $.01 par value; 253,125 shares authorized; | ||||
| 87,325 and 89,563 shares issued and outstanding at | 873 | 896 | 919 | 941 |
| January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 556,928 | 541,307 | 527,261 | 522,595 |
| Retained earnings | 701,702 | 668,545 | 701,214 | 729,043 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (9,903) | (10,616) | (2,548) | 6524 |
| Treasury stock â at cost: 20 and 29 shares as of January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively | (1,380) | (1,906) | (2,140) | (3,101) |
| Total stockholdersâ equity | 1,248,220 | 1,198,226 | 1,224,706 | 1,256,002 |
| Total liabilities and stockholdersâ equity | $ 2,476,879 | $ 2,417,427 | $ 2,330,277 | 2,336,734 |
Table 2. Williams-Sonoma, Inc --- Statement of Income
| Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | ||||
| STATEMENT OF INCOME | ||||
| Fiscal Years 2016, 2015, 2014,2013 | ||||
| (In thousands) | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 |
| E-commerce net revenues | $ 2,633,602 | $ 2,522,580 | $ 2,370,694 | $ 2,115,022 |
| Retail net revenues | 2,450,210 | 2,453,510 | 2,328,025 | 2,272,867 |
| Net revenues | 5,083,812 | 4,976,090 | 4,698,719 | 4,387,889 |
| Cost of goods sold | 3,200,502 | 3,131,876 | 2,898,215 | 2,683,673 |
| Gross profit | 1,883,310 | 1,844,214 | 1,800,504 | 1,704,216 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,410,711 | 1,355,580 | 1,298,239 | 1,252,118 |
| Operating income | 472,599 | 488,634 | 502,265 | 452,098 |
| Interest (income) expense, net | 688 | 627 | 62 | (584) |
| Earnings before income taxes | 471,911 | 488,007 | 502,203 | 452,682 |
| Income taxes | 166,524 | 177,939 | 193,349 | 173,780 |
| Net earnings | $ 305,387 | $ 310,068 | $ 308,854 | $ 278,902 |
