I ntegrated Case
4- 25
D’Leon I nc., Part I I
Financial Statement Analysis
Part I of this case, presented in Chapter 3, discussed the situation of D’Leon
I nc., a regional snack foods producer, after an expansion program. D’Leon
had increased plant capacity and undertaken a major marketing campaign in
an attempt to “go national.” Thus far, sales have not been up to the
forecasted level, costs have been higher than were projected, and a large
loss occurred in 2008 rather than the expected profit. As a result, its
managers, directors, and investors are concerned about the firm’s survival.
    Donna Jamison was brought in as assistant to Fred Campo, D’Leon’s
chairman, who had the task of getting the company back into a sound
financial position. D’Leon’s 2007 and 2008 balance sheets and income
statements, together with projections for 2009, are given in Tables I C 4- 1
and I C 4- 2. I n addition, Table I C 4- 3 gives the company’s 2007 and 2008
financial ratios, together with industry average data. The 2009 projected
financial statement data represent Jamison’s and Campo’s best guess for
2009 results, assuming that some new financing is arranged to get the
company “over the hump.”
    Jamison examined monthly data for 2008 ( not given in the case), and
she detected an improving pattern during the year. Monthly sales were
rising, costs were falling, and large losses in the early months had turned to
a small profit by December. Thus, the annual data look somewhat worse
than final monthly data. Also, it appears to be taking longer for the
advertising program to get the message out, for the new sales offices to
generate sales, and for the new manufacturing facilities to operate
efficiently. I n other words, the lags between spending money and deriving
benefits were longer than D’Leon’s managers had anticipated. For these
reasons, Jamison and Campo see hope for the company—provided it can
survive in the short run.
     Jamison must prepare an analysis of where the company is now, what it
must do to regain its financial health, and what actions should be taken.
Your assignment is to help her answer the following questions. Provide clear
explanations, not yes or no answers.
                              Table I C 4-1. Balance Sheets
                                                   2009E            2008          2007
Assets
Cash                                         $    85,632      $     7,282   $    57,600
Accounts receivable                              878,000          632,160       351,200
I nventories                                   1,716,480        1,287,360       715,200
    Total current assets                     $ 2,680,112      $ 1,926,802   $ 1,124,000
Gross fixed assets                             1,197,160        1,202,950       491,000
Less accumulated depreciation                    380,120          263,160       146,200
    Net fixed assets                         $ 817,040        $ 939,790     $ 344,800
Total assets                                 $ 3,497,152      $ 2,866,592   $ 1,468,800
Liabilities and Equity
Accounts payable                             $   436,800      $   524,160   $   145,600
Notes payable                                    300,000          636,808       200,000
Accruals                                         408,000          489,600       136,000
   Total current liabilities                 $ 1,144,800      $ 1,650,568   $ 481,600
Long-term debt                                   400,000          723,432       323,432
Common stock                                   1,721,176          460,000       460,000
Retained earnings                                231,176           32,592       203,768
   Total equity                              $ 1,952,352      $ 492,592     $ 663,768
Total liabilities and equity                 $ 3,497,152      $ 2,866,592   $ 1,468,800
Note: “E” indicates estimated. The 2009 data are forecasts.
                               Table I C 4-2. I ncome Statements
                                                      2009E            2008                    2007
Sales                                            $ 7,035,600        $ 6,034,000         $ 3,432,000
Cost of goods sold                                 5,875,992          5,528,000           2,864,000
Other expenses                                       550,000            519,988             358,672
Total operating costs
    excluding depreciation                       $ 6,425,992        $ 6,047,988         $ 3,222,672
EBI TDA                                          $ 609,608         ( $ 13,988)          $ 209,328
Depreciation                                         116,960            116,960              18,900
EBI T                                            $ 492,648         ( $ 130,948)         $ 190,428
I nterest expense                                     70,008            136,012              43,828
EBT                                              $ 422,640         ( $ 266,960)         $ 146,600
                                                                                    a
Taxes ( 40% )                                        169,056          ( 106,784 )            58,640
Net income                                       $ 253,584         ( $ 160,176 )        $    87,960
EPS                                              $      1.014      (       1.602)       $     0.880
                                                                   $
DPS                                              $     0.220        $     0.110         $     0.220
Book value per share                             $     7.809        $     4.926         $     6.638
Stock price                                      $     12.17        $      2.25         $       8.50
Shares outstanding                                   250,000            100,000             100,000
Tax rate                                             40.00%             40.00%              40.00%
Lease payments                                        40,000             40,000              40,000
Sinking fund payments                                      0                  0                    0
Note: “E” indicates estimated. The 2009 data are forecasts.
a
    The firm had sufficient taxable income in 2006 and 2007 to obtain its full tax refund in 2008.
                                  Table I C 4-3. Ratio Analysis
                                                                             I ndustry
                                          2009E          2008      2007       Average
Current                                                  1.2      2.3         2.7
Quick                                                    0.4      0.8         1.0
I nventory turnover                                       4.7     4.8         6.1
Days sales outstanding ( DSO) a                         38.2      37.4         32.0
Fixed assets turnover                                     6.4    10.0         7.0
Total assets turnover                                     2.1     2.3         2.6
Debt ratio                                              82.8%     54.8%        50.0%
TI E                                                    -1.0      4.3         6.2
Operating margin                                        -2.2%      5.6%          7.3%
Profit margin                                           -2.7%      2.6%          3.5%
Basic earning power                                     -4.6%     13.0%        19.1%
ROA                                                     -5.6%      6.0%          9.1%
ROE                                                    -32.5%     13.3%        18.2%
Price/ earnings                                         -1.4      9.7        14.2
Market/ book                                              0.5     1.3         2.4
Book value per share                                    $4.93     $6.64         n.a.
Note: “E indicates estimated. The 2009 data are forecasts.
a
    Calculation is based on a 365-day year.
A.             Why are ratios useful? What are the five major categories of
               ratios?
Answer:        [ S4- 1 through S4- 5 provide background information. Then, show
               S4- 6 and S4- 7 here.] Ratios are used by managers to help
               improve the firm’s performance, by lenders to help evaluate the
               firm’s likelihood of repaying debts, and by stockholders to help
               forecast future earnings and dividends. The five major categories
               of ratios are: liquidity, asset management, debt management,
               profitability, and market value.
B.             Calculate D’Leon’s 2009 current and quick ratios based on the
               projected balance sheet and income statement data. What can
you say about the company’s liquidity positions in 2007, 2008, and as projected for 2009?
Answer: [ Show S4- 8 and S4- 9 here.]
                    Current ratio09 = Current assets/ Current liabilities
                                     = $2,680,112/ $1,144,800 = 2.34.
             Quick ratio 09 = ( Current assets – I nventories)/ Current liabilities
                           = ( $2,680,112 – $1,716,480)/ $1,144,800
                           = $963,632/ $1,144,800 = 0.842.
              The company’s current and quick ratios are identical to its
          2007 current and quick ratios, and they have improved from their
          2008 levels. However, both the current and quick ratios are well
          below the industry averages.
C.        Calculate the 2009 inventory turnover, days sales outstanding
          ( DSO), fixed assets turnover, and total assets turnover. How does D’Leon’s utilizati
          industry?
Answer:   [ Show S4- 10 through S4- 15 here.]
                I nventory turnover09= Sales/ I nventory
                                        = $7,035,600/ $1,716,480 = 4.10.
                  DSO09 = Receivables/ ( Sales/ 365)
                          = $878,000/ ( $7,035,600/ 365) = 45.55 days.
               Fixed assets turnover09 = Sales/ Net fixed assets
                                          = $7,035,600/ $817,040 = 8.61.
               Total assets turnover09 = Sales/ Total assets
                                        = $7,035,600/ $3,497,152 = 2.01.
              The firm’s inventory turnover and total assets turnover ratios
          have been steadily declining, while its days sales outstanding has
          been steadily increasing ( which is bad). However, the firm’s 2009
          total assets turnover ratio is only slightly below the 2008 level.
          The firm’s fixed assets turnover ratio is below its 2007 level;
          however, it is above the 2008 level.
              The firm’s inventory turnover and total assets turnover are
          below the industry average. The firm’s days sales outstanding
          ratio is above the industry average ( which is bad); however, the
          firm’s fixed assets turnover is above the industry average. ( This
          might be due to the fact that D’Leon is an older firm than most
          other firms in the industry, in which case, its fixed assets are older
          and thus have been depreciated more, or that D’Leon’s cost of
          fixed assets were lower than most firms in the industry.)
D.        Calculate the 2009 debt and times- interest- earned ratios. How does D’Leon compa
          leverage? What can you conclude from these ratios?
Answer:   [ Show S4- 16 and S4- 17 here.]
             Debt ratio09 = Total debt/ Total assets
                         = ( $1,144,800 + $400,000)/ $3,497,152 = 44.17% .
          TI E09 = EBI T/ I nterest = $492,648/ $70,008 = 7.04.
              The firm’s debt ratio is much improved from 2008 and 2007,
          and it is below the industry average ( which is good). The firm’s
          TI E ratio is also greatly improved from its 2007 and 2008 levels
          and is above the industry average.
 E.        Calculate the 2009 operating margin, profit margin, basic earning power ( BEP
           What can you say about these ratios?
Answer:   [ Show S4- 18 through S4- 24 here.]
                Operating margin09 = EBI T/ Sales
                                      = $492,648/ $7,035,600 = 7.00% .
                   Profit margin09 = Net income/ Sales
                                    = $253,584/ $7,035,600 = 3.60% .
              Basic earning power 09 = EBI T/ Total assets
                                        = $492,648/ $3,497,152 = 14.09% .
                    ROA09 = Net income/ Total assets
                           = $253,584/ $3,497,152 = 7.25% .
                   ROE09 = Net income/ Common equity
                          = $253,584/ $1,952,352 = 12.99%  13.0% .
              The firm’s operating margin is above 2007 and 2008 levels but
          slightly below the industry average. The firm’s profit margin is
          above 2007 and 2008 levels and slightly above the industry
          average. While the firm’s basic earning power and ROA ratios are
          above 2007 and 2008 levels, they are still below the industry
          averages. The firm’s ROE ratio is greatly improved over its 2008
          level; however, it is slightly below its 2007 level and still well
          below the industry average.
F.        Calculate the 2009 price/ earnings ratio and market/ book ratio. Do these ratios
          or low opinion of the company?
Answer:   [ Show S4- 25 and S4- 26 here.]
                         EPS09 = Net income/ Shares outstanding
                                = $253,584/ 250,000 = $1.0143.
                Price/ Earnings09 = Price per share/ Earnings per share
                                   = $12.17/ $1.0143 = 12.0.
          Check:      Price = EPS  P/ E = $1.0143( 12.0) = $12.17.
                      BVPS09 = Common equity/ Shares outstanding
                              = $1,952,352/ 250,000 = $7.81.
             Market/ Book09 = Market price per share/ Book value per share
                            = $12.17/ $7.81 = 1.56.
              The P/ E and M/ B ratios are above the 2008 and 2007 levels
          but below the industry average.
G.        Use the DuPont equation to provide a summary and overview of D’Leon’s financi
          firm’s major strengths and weaknesses?
Answer:   [ Show S4- 27 and S4- 28 here.]
                   DuPont equation =                                quity
                                       Profit    Total assets       multiplier
                                       margin    turnover
                                   = 3.60%  2.01  1/ ( 1 – 0.4417)
                                   = 12.96%  13.0% .
          Strengths: The firm’s fixed assets turnover was above the industry
          average.    However, if the firm’s assets were older than other firms
          in its industry this could possibly account for the higher ratio.
          ( D’Leon’s fixed assets would have a lower historical cost and
          would have been depreciated for longer periods of time.) The
          firm’s profit margin is slightly above the industry average, and its
          debt ratio has been greatly reduced, so it is now below the
     industry average ( which is good). This improved profit margin
     could indicate that the firm has kept operating costs down as well
     as interest expense ( as shown from the reduced debt ratio).
     I nterest expense is lower because the firm’s debt ratio has been
     reduced, which has improved the firm’s TI E ratio so that it is now
     above the industry average.
     Weaknesses: The firm’s current asset ratio is low; most of its
     asset management ratios are poor ( except fixed assets turnover);
     most of its profitability ratios are low ( except profit margin); and
     its market value ratios are low.
H.   Use the following simplified 2009 balance sheet to show, in general terms, how
     thousands below) and influence the stock price?
     Accounts receivable       $ 878      Debt                        $1,545
     Other current assets       1,802
     Net fixed assets             817     Equity                       1,952
        Total assets           $3,497       Liabilities plus equity   $3,497
Answer:   [ Show S4- 29 through S4- 32 here.]
                      Sales per day = $7,035,600/ 365 = $19,275.62.
              Accounts receivable under new policy = $19,275.62  32 days
                                                      = $616,820.
                      Freed cash = old A/ R – new A/ R
                                 = $878,000 – $616,820 = $261,180.
               Reducing accounts receivable and its DSO will initially show
          up as an addition to cash. The freed up cash could be used to
          repurchase stock, expand the business, and reduce debt. All of
          these actions would likely improve the stock price.
I.        Does it appear that inventories could be adjusted? I f so, how should that adjust
          price?
Answer:   The inventory turnover ratio is low. I t appears that the firm either
          has excessive inventory or some of the inventory is obsolete. I f
          inventory were reduced, this would improve the current asset
          ratio, the inventory and total assets turnover, and reduce the debt
          ratio even further, which should improve the firm’s stock price and
          profitability.
 J.        I n 2008, the company paid its suppliers much later than the due dates; also it wa
           projections along with proof that it was going to raise more than
           $1.2 million of new equity?
Answer:   While the firm’s ratios based on the projected data appear to be
          improving, the firm’s current asset ratio is low. As a credit
          manager, you would not continue to extend credit to the firm
          under its current arrangement, particularly if my firm didn’t have
          any excess capacity. Terms of COD might be a little harsh and
          might push the firm into bankruptcy. Likewise, if the bank
          demanded repayment this could also force the firm into
          bankruptcy.
              Creditors’ actions would definitely be influenced by an
          infusion of equity capital in the firm. This would lower the firm’s
          debt ratio and creditors’ risk exposure.
K.
Answer:   I n hindsight,
          Before         what should
                 the company         D’Leon
                               took on       have done
                                       its expansion    backit in
                                                     plans,       2007?have
                                                                should
          done an extensive ratio analysis to determine the effects of its
          proposed expansion on the firm’s operations. Had the ratio
          analysis been conducted, the company would have “gotten its
          house in order” before undergoing the expansion.
L.        What are some potential problems and limitations of financial ratio
          analysis?
Answer:   [ Show S4- 33 and S4- 34 here.] Some potential problems are listed
          below:
          1.   Comparison with industry averages is difficult if the firm
               operates many different divisions.
          2.   Different operating and accounting practices distort
               comparisons.
          3.   Sometimes hard to tell if a ratio is “good” or “bad.”
          4.   Difficult to tell whether company is, on balance, in a strong or
               weak position.
          5.   “Average” performance is not necessarily good.
          6.   Seasonal factors can distort ratios.
          7.   “Window dressing” techniques can make statements and
               ratios look better.
          8.   I nflation has badly distorted many firms’ balance sheets, so a
               ratio analysis for one firm over time, or a comparative analysis
               of firms of different ages, must be interpreted with judgment.
 M.        What are some qualitative factors analysts should consider when
           evaluating a company’s likely future financial performance?
Answer:   [ Show S4- 35 here.] Top analysts recognize that certain qualitative
          factors must be considered when evaluating a company. These
          factors, as summarized by the American Association of I ndividual
          I nvestors ( AAI I ) , are as follows:
          1.   Are the company’s revenues tied to one key customer?
          2.   To what extent are the company’s revenues tied to one key
               product?
          3.   To what extent does the company rely on a single supplier?
          4.   What percentage of the company’s business is generated
               overseas?
          5.   How much competition does the firm face?
          6.   I s it necessary for the company to continually invest in
               research and development?
          7.   Are changes in laws and regulations likely to have important
               implications for the firm?