In: Accounting
Computing Return on Equity and Return on Assets
The following table contains financial statement information for
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
$ millions | Total Assets | Net Income | Sales | Equity |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | $199,581 | $14,694 | $478,614 | $80,546 |
2014 | 203,490 | 16,363 | 482,229 | 81,394 |
2013 | 204,751 | 16,022 | 473,076 | 76,255 |
(a) Compute the return on equity (ROE) for 2014 and 2015. (Round
your answers to one decimal place.)
2015 ROE =Answer
%
2014 ROE =Answer
%
What trend, if any, is evident? How does Wal-Mart's ROE compare
with the approximately 18.9% median ROE for companies in the Dow
Jones Industrial average for 2015?
Wal-Mart's ROE decreased from 2014 to 2015 and is lower to the median for other companies in the Dow Jones average.
Wal-Mart's ROE increased slightly from 2014 to 2015 and is slightly above the median for other companies in the Dow Jones average.
Wal-Mart's ROE increased from 2014 to 2015 but is lower than the median for other companies in the Dow Jones average.
Wal-Mart's ROE decreased from 2014 to 2015 but still exceeds the median for other companies in the Dow Jones average.
Mark 1.00 out of 1.00
(b) Compute the return on assets (ROA) for 2014 and 2015. (Round
your answers to one decimal place.)
2015 ROA =Answer
%
2014 ROA =Answer
%
What trend, if any, is evident? How does Wal-Mart's ROA compare
with the approximately 7.1% median ROA for companies in the Dow
Jones Industrial average for 2015?
Wal-Mart's ROA increased slightly from 2014 to 2015 and is above the median for other Dow Jones companies.
Wal-Mart's ROA decreased from 2014 to 2015 and is lower than the median for other Dow Jones companies.
Wal-Mart's ROA increased from 2014 to 2015 but is slightly below the median for other Dow Jones companies.
Wal-Mart's ROA decreased slightly from 2014 to 2015 but still exceeds the median for other Dow Jones companies.
Mark 1.00 out of 1.00
(c) Which of the following factors might allow a company like
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc to reap above-average returns?
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc operates with more assets and equity than the average company.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc's spends very little on advertising, thus generating a greater profit on sales.
Wal-Mart has considerable market power over suppliers as a result of its considerable size, which may result in product cost savings.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc's sales level is greater than the typical company.