Financial Statement Analysis Project

Purpose:  Students will assume the role of senior management or the board in analyzing the current financial performance of the firm using peer and trend ratio analysis and the Statement of Cash Flows. 

Deliverable:  The final product will be a typed report that includes financial and ratio data and analysis.  Ratio calculations should be calculated in Excel using formulas.  The analysis portion of the report may be completed in Excel or Word.

Steps:

1. Choose a publicly traded firm to analyze.  Choices must be approved by the instructor and only one student may choose each firm.

2. Obtain three years of financial information, including the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows.

3. Compile financial information in Excel in such a way that ratios may be easily calculated for each of the three years.

4. Calculate the ratios discussed in Chapter 17 of the textbook.

5. Conduct peer and trend analysis for each ratio or groups of ratios.  Find industry information or specific firm information to conduct the peer analysis.

6. Conduct trend analysis of the Statement of Cash Flows.  Assess this year's statement for noteworthy events or activities.

7. Provide an overall assessment of the firm's financial performance.