Project Assignment

Descriptions

Write a 8-10 page research paper on the selected companies below. The 8-10pages do not include the title page, graphs or references. The paper must include an introduction or abstract and a summary conclusion.

Company Selected: Costco and Sam's Club

Project Assignment Using Coke and Pepsi as an Example:

Long time competitors in the soft drink industry, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola continue efforts to gain additional market share. Which do you prefer, Coke or Pepsi? Let's take a look at these two companies from a financial perspective rather than our drink preference.

To learn more about PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Enterprises, download the latest PepsiCo 2014 Annual Report and the Coca-Cola 2014 Annual Report. Review the annual reports for general information.

Required:

1. Read - Understanding the Income Statement By Richard Loth.

2. Read - Reading the Balance Sheet By Investopedia Staff.

3. Compute- the following financial ratios for both companies and provide as an appendix to the required paper. If you need help understanding the meaning of the ratios or how to they are computed. Financial Ratio Tutorial Printer friendly version By Richard Loth.

Liquidity measurement ratio: • Current ratio
Profitability indicator ratios:• Return on assets • Return on equity
Debt ratio: • Debt ratio
Operating performance ratio: • Fixed asset turnover ratio
Cash flow indicator ratio: • Dividend payout ratio
Investment valuation ratio: • Price / Earnings ratio

For each company and comparing the two, you are to write a page report that answers the following:

1. Provide a short background on each company, the industry and the market (growing, declining, etc?) in which they operate. (This should be no more than 1- 1.5 pages for both companies in total and can be a part of your introduction.)

2. Using the profitability and operating performance ratios, discuss what conclusions you can make about each company's profits over the past three years. Support your conclusions. Which company is doing better, why or why not?

3. Using the cash flow indicator and investment valuation ratios, discuss which company is more likely to have satisfied stockholders. Support your conclusions. Which company is doing better, why or why not?

4. After concluding your research about each company and reviewing their annual report, Discusswhat non-financial criteria you would consider when choosing between these two investment options? Support your conclusions, why or why not?

The format of the report indicated below in "More on the Grading Criteria".

NOTE: You will be graded on the quality of your answers, the logic/organization of the report, your language skills, and your writing skills.