Question

You have been hired as an analyst for Mellon Bank and your team is working on an independent assessment of Daffy Duck Food Inc. (DDF Inc.) DDF Inc. is a firm that specializes in the production of freshly imported farm products from France. Your assistant has provided you with the following data for Flipper Inc and their industry.

Ratio	1999	1998	1997	1999- Industry Average
Long-term debt	0.45	0.40	0.35	0.35
Inventory Turnover	62.65	42.42	32.25	53.25
Depreciation/Total Assets	0.25	0.014	0.018	0.015
Days’ sales in receivables	113	98	94	130.25
Debt to Equity	0.75	0.85	0.90	0.88
Profit Margin	0.082	0.07	0.06	0.075
Total Asset Turnover	0.54	0.65	0.70	0.40
Quick Ratio	1.028	1.03	1.029	1.031
Current Ratio	1.33	1.21	1.15	1.25
Times Interest Earned	0.9	4.375	4.45	4.65
Equity Multiplier	1.75	1.85	1.90	1.88

1. In the annual report to the shareholders, the CEO of Flipper Inc wrote, “1997 was a good year for the firm with respect to our ability to meet our short-term obligations. We had higher liquidity largely due to an increase in highly liquid current assets (cash, account receivables and short-term marketable securities).” Is the CEO correct? Explain and use only relevant information in your analysis.

2. What can you say about the firm's asset management? Be as complete as possible given the above information, but do not use any irrelevant information.

3. You are asked to provide the shareholders with an assessment of the firm's solvency and leverage. Be as complete as possible given the above information, but do not use any irrelevant information.

Answer 1