Assignment: In this benchmark assignment we are seeking your ability to research companies and determine their strength as a business.
Return to Yahoo Finance for the healthcare sector. http://finance.yahoo.com/sector/healthcare. Select three different companies that are in the same sector of the industry (example: healthcare provider, insurer, manufacturer, etc.) and click on their symbol in order to view their financial statement.
Carry out the ratio calculations for all financial ratios as described on pages 644-653 of the text. Present the results of your analysis along with all ratios in a spreadsheet and answer the following questions:
Which company exhibits the strongest financial ratios?
Identify any possible weaknesses that you observe in the financial ratios of any of the three companies. Describe what you observe, discuss the implications for the company, and explain actions you might take to improve ratios that suggest weakness.
Present your findings in a spreadsheet accompanied by a one-page report summarizing your findings, analysis, and conclusions.