Financial Analysis of Three Supermarket Chains

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Introduction The purpose of this report is to undertake financial analysis of the position of the three major supermarket chains (Tesco plc, Morrison plc and Sainsbury plc) in the UK, using the financial tools such as Horizontal and Vertical Analysis and Ratio Analysis. The calculations done are considering the figures from the income statement and balance sheet of these three companies for the last 2 years (2008 & 2007). Doing these calculations is an effort to find out the current position and if any forecast on their performance. Tesco Plc *Interpreting the Horizontal and Vertical *Analysis The balance sheet’s horizontal analysis reveals the first worrying statistics about the company- the fact that stock level has increased by 25.84% in the year, even though net assets have increased by only 12.59%. The vertical analysis of the balance sheet again highlights the increase in amount of stock held by the company at the end of 2008 and increase in current assets. Interpreting the Ratio Analysis By looking at the ROCE* ratio it is clear that the business has not generated any higher return in the period 2007-2008. Though there is a marginal decrease in the returns (0.14% from 0.16%), however when compared with returns of other competitors Tesco plc has performed much better. Drop in asset utilisation ratio in the year 2008 indicates that the company did not use its assets efficiently to generate sales. As a result profit margin dropped down to 5.91% in 2008 from 6.21% in the year 2007. The Acid test ratio also doesn’t meet the ‘ideal’ ratio of 1:1. In other words Tesco had only 38p of quickly realisable assets to meet each £1 of current liabilities. Stock turn shows the effect of increased stock at the end of 2008 as it s... ... middle of paper ... ...To check how successful it has been, we calculate debtor collection period ratio. (Dyson, 2004) Fixed Asset turnover: In this ratio, we seek the amount of sales that can be generated (or the amount of fixed assets necessary to achieve a level of sales) from a given level of fixed assets. (Klein, 1998) Total asset turnover: This ratio determines that how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets. If the asset turnover ratio is high, the firm is using its assets effectively in generating sales. If this ratio is low, the firm may not be using its assets efficiently and shall either increase sales or eliminate some of the existing assets. (Argenti, 2002) Solvency Ratio Gearing: Gearing reflects the relationship between a company’s equity capital (ordinary shares and reserves) and its other form of long-term funding (preference share, debenture, etc.) (Black, 2000)

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