You are interning at a financial services firm and have been asked to evaluate the
performance of two major department stores. The following information (in millions)
is available for Wal-Mart and Nordstrom for the most recent fiscal periods available:
Wal-Mart
Net Sales $405,046 Beginning Accounts Receivable $4,144
Gross Profit 100,389 Ending Accounts Receivable 3,905
Operating Income 23,950
Net Income 14,848
Nordstrom
Net Sales $8,627 Beginning Accounts Receivable $1,942
Gross Profit 3,299 Ending Accounts Receivable 2,035
Operating Income 834
Net Income 441
Compute the (1) gross profit margin, (2) operating margin, (3) net profit margin, and (4)
accounts receivable turnover for the two companies and indicate which company’s
performed better.