In this assignment you will evaluate a company from the standpoint of a perspective investor to determine whether the company in question is a sound investment given its risk. It should include a thorough analysis of where the company has been in recent years and where it is heading. Emphasis should be placed on the perception of the firm, not just from quantitative, financial data but also from qualitative data.
The paper must include the following six sections:
Executive Summary
One page summary of report drawing from all other sections. The introduction should emphasize the logical progression supporting the conclusion.
Industry/Company Overview
This section should contain a detailed overview of the company and the industry in which it operates. The industry overview may include, but is not limited to, a description of the industry (i.e., what products/services are produced), whom the products are sold to, future growth potential of the industry, a description of the risks associated with the industry.
The company overview should contain a description of the company, types of products sold, product mix, any “competitive advantage,” review of new and emerging strategies (e.g., new products or other significant changes), summary of current management and nature of their compensation, future growth potential of the company (domestic and foreign) and a description of specific risks associated with the company.
Financial Analysis
The focus of this section is the analysis of the company’s profitability and risk using financial ratios. Specifically, a detailed analysis and interpretation of liquidity, activity, leverage and profitability ratios, as well as a comparison of ratios to industry averages.
Summary of Financial Accounting Methods
This section focuses on accounting methods. It should include a discussion of accounting methods used by the firm and how these choices may affect the results of financial analysis. Information for this section is available in the notes of the financial statements.
Financial Analysts’ Outputs:
This section includes a summary of analysts’ forecasts and recommendations for the company. Specifically, it should focus on current EPS forecasts and trends, accuracy of past earning forecasts, price targets and buy/sell recommendations.
Conclusion and Recommendation
This section should answer the following question: Would you consider the firm a sound investment? If so, what type of investor would this firm be appropriate for (e.g., an investor near retirement or an investor attempting to build capital). Assume that you have the choice between investing in this company, an S&P 500 index fund or putting your money in a savings account – which do you feel would be the optimal choice and why? Support your conclusion from analysis in the paper.
Sources of information for this project should include, but are not limited to:
Annual Report, available online on the company’s website line.
Analysts’ forecasts can be obtained from Yahoo Finance or tother investment websites.
Industry financial ratio information can be obtained from Yahoo Finance or tother investment websites.
Qualitative information regarding the industry or firm can be obtained from Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and other business or industry-specific journals.
The project will be graded using rubric below. The project has a 15 page limit with ordinary font.
Financial Analysis Project
Financial Analysis Project
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExecutive Summary
5 to >4.0 pts
Sophisticated
Provides a concise and comprehensive summary of the paper. Organization is clear. Conclusions of the project are included and logically supported.
4 to >3.0 pts
Competent
Provides a summary of the paper. Organization is clear in parts or only partially described. Conclusions of project are included but may not be logically supported.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Work
Provides a vague summary. Organization is weak or not consistently maintained. Conclusions of the paper are not included.
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOverview
10 to >8.0 pts
Sophisticated
Provides a comprehensive overview of company and industry, including extensive citations from appropriate external sources.
8 to >6.0 pts
Competent
Provides a sufficient overview of company and industry, including some citations from external sources.
6 to >0.0 pts
Needs Work
Provides an incomplete overview of company and industry, including limited or no citations from external sources.
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFinancial Analysis
10 to >8.0 pts
Sophisticated
Provides a well-developed financial analysis, including appropriate financial ratios and accurate interpretations.
8 to >6.0 pts
Competent
Provides some financial analysis, including incomplete financial ratios and adequate interpretations.
6 to >0.0 pts
Needs Work
Provides limited financial analysis, inaccurate financial ratios and/or inadequate interpretations.
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAccounting Methods
5 to >4.0 pts
Sophisticated
Includes summary of all important accounting methods. Provides complete explanations of each.
4 to >3.0 pts
Competent
Includes summary of some accounting methods and/or provides adequate explanations at times.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Work
Includes summary of limited accounting methods and/or provides inadequate explanations.
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalyst’s Outputs
5 to >4.0 pts
Sophisticated
Provides complete summary of outputs of financial analysts. Accurately explains all outputs.
4 to >3.0 pts
Competent
Provides incomplete summary of outputs of financial analysts and/or does not adequately explain outputs.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Work
Provides limited summary of outputs of financial analysts and/or does not explain outputs at all.
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion
5 to >4.0 pts
Sophisticated
Conclusion is clearly stated and connections to the research are clear and relevant. The underlying logic is explicit.
4 to >3.0 pts
Competent
Conclusion is clearly stated and connections to research are mostly clear, some aspects may not be connected or minor errors in logic are present.
3 to >0.0 pts
Needs Work
Conclusion may not be clear and the connections to the research are incorrect or unclear. Underlying logic has major flaws.
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting
5 to >4.0 pts
Sophisticated
Project is coherently organized and the logic is easy to follow. There are very few spelling or grammatical errors and terminology is clearly defined. Writing is clear, concise and persuasive.
4 to >2.0 pts
Competent
Project is generally well organized and most of the argument is easy to follow. There are minor spelling or grammatical errors. Writing is generally clear but may lack conciseness.
2 to >0.0 pts
Needs Work
Project is poorly organized and difficult to read. There are several spelling and/or grammatical errors; Writing lacks clarity and conciseness.
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
Total Points: 45
