Answer the questions show all work for your answers; be complete; but, concise with your analysis. If you wish to elaborate on your calculations for the ratios, please do so
Hatfield Medical Supplies’ stock price had been lagging its industry averages, so its board of directors brought in a new CEO, Jaiden Lee. Lee had brought in Ashley Novak, a finance MBA who had been working for a consulting company, to replace the old CFO, and Lee asked Ashley to develop the financial planning section of the strategic plan. In her previous job, Novak’s primary task had been to help clients develop financial forecasts, and that was one reason Lee hired her.
Novak began as she always did, by comparing Hatfield’s financial ratios to the industry averages. If any ratio was substandard, she discussed it with the responsible manager to see what could be done to improve the situation. The following data shows Hatfield’s latest financial statements plus some ratios and other data that Novak plans to use in her analysis.
1: Using Hatfield’s data and its industry averages, how well run would you say Hatfield appears to be in comparison with other firms in its industry? What are its primary strengths and weaknesses? Be specific in your answer, and point to various ratios that support your position. Also, use the Du Pont equation as one part of your analysis.
Du Pont equation = (Profit margin) (total assets turnover) (equity multiplier) = Net income/ Sales x Sales /total sales x Total Assets/ common equity
2: Use the AFN equation to estimate Hatfield’s required new external capital for 2014 if the sale growth rate is 10%. Assume that the firm’s 2013 ratios will remain the same in 2014. (Hint: Hatfield was operating at full capacity in 2013.)
3: Define the term self-supporting growth rate. What is Hatfield’s self-supporting growth rate? Would the self-supporting growth rate be affected by a change in the capital intensity ratio or the other factors mentioned in the previous question? Other things held constant, would the calculated capital intensity ratio change over time if the company were growing and were also subject to economies of scale and/or lumpy assets?