--%>

Understand and interpret financial statements

Our purpose this week: learning how to understand and interpret financial statements.

Assignment:

The class should discuss all of the questions listed below as they relate to the financial statements of any U.S. public company of your choice in its latest annual report. You can find the financial statements of any U.S. public company by visiting Yahoo Finance or MSN Money. If you work for a U.S. public company, you may want to use the financial statements of your company - but the choice is up to you.

1) What 3 items of important information does the income statement reveal about the financial performance of the company over the last three years?

2) What 3 items of important information does the balance sheet reveal about the financial position of the company over the last two years?

3) Can you identify the major sources of funding used by the company from the information presented in the company's annual report? If not, how could you get this information?

4) Who is responsible for:

      a) the issuance, and

      b) the content

of the company financial statements? 

5) What assurance, if any, is there that the financial statements are in compliance with GAAP, and are free of material misstatements?

6) Of what use, if any, are the notes to the financial statements?

   Related Questions in Corporate Finance

  • Q : Problem on arbitrage opportunity John

    John Chan considers purchasing a six-month stock futures contract on the shares of Li & Fung Limited. Shares of Li & Fung Limited are now presently trading at $50 per share and it is predicted that Li & Fung Limited will pay a dividend of $1 per share in o

  • Q : Explain definition of put–call parity

    Explain the definition of put–call parity described by Reinach.

  • Q : What is Financial Analysis Financial

    Financial Analysis: It is the investigation and interpretation of financial statements and associated financial reports. Trained and certified accountants generally complete this kind of analysis. The role of a financial analyst is to

  • Q : Is PER an excellent guide to investments

    Is PER an excellent guide to investments?

  • Q : How could prestigious investment bank

    I have a doubt about the Enron case. How could this prestigious investment bank advice investing while the quotations of the shares were falling?

  • Q : Active versus Passive fund managers

    Active vs. Passive fund managers: Passive fund managers adopt a long term buy and hold strategy. Usually, stocks are purchased so that the portfolio’s returns will track those of an

  • Q : WCR lower cost of storage Inventory is

    Inventory is an important part of WCR estimation. It is a current asset, which depletes over period of time. Also, it requires creation of facility, which would help in storing the inventory and estimate the associated cost of maintaining and transporting it. The esti

  • Q : Broad research methodologies Various

    Various broad research methodologies are available with which to study the development of accounting theory. a. Discuss the deductive, inductive, normative, and empirical research methods.  

  • Q : Define Economy Impacts Economy Impacts

    Economy Impacts: An upcoming economy is indicated by rise in stock market, as stock market is primary indicator of a economic strength of a country. Progressing economy results in market boom. Yield of companies’ increases on improving economy,

  • Q : Calculate the risk-free rate You have

    You have been given the following information on two corporations; you are to assume that thesecurities are correctly priced. My Corp, Inc. has a Beta of 1.25 and an Expected Return of .145;Your Corp, Inc. has a Beta of .75 and an Expected Return of .095. Based on the