Application Report 1: Prepare a 2-3 page report, double spaced using proper APA writing style, that compares the finances of Ford Motor Company (stock symbol: F) to the finances of General Motors (stock symbol: GM). Why has Ford been so successful, and why has GM been lagging ? Based on your comparative analysis, which senior management team is more effective and efficient in running the respective corporations over the last three years?

Your report should include topics we have discussed in the course, such as financial statements, financial ratios, and time value of money concepts.

You can find this information in the following sources: "Wall Street Journal," "New York Times," Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, and company web sites. The company web site will often provide you with the latest fiscal reports in the "investor relations" section.

Structure your composition to include a summary of the recent earnings report. Cite financial numbers, such as those that appear on the earnings statements, balance sheets, and statement of cash flow. Relay financial ratios that we discussed in the previous units, such as:

One or two Liquidity ratios;

One or two Asset Management ratios;

One or two Debt Management ratios;

One or two profitability ratios; and,

One or two Market Value ratios.

Describe the significance of these numbers- what do they indicate ? Explain how your report relates to our course and to practicing managers; it should provide a benchmarking and trend analysis of the firms over a three year period.