CHAPTER 17 Financial Statement Analysis
Ex. 17–16
b. The ratio of net sales to assets measures the number of sales dollars earned for
each dollar of assets. The greater the number of sales dollars earned for every
dollar of assets, the more efficient a firm is in using assets. Thus, the ratio is a
measure of the efficiency in using assets. The three companies are different in
their efficiency in using assets, because they are different in the nature of their
operations. Union Pacific earns only 40 cents for every dollar of assets. This is
because Union Pacific is very asset intensive. That is, Union Pacific must invest in
arranger has assets in accounts receivable and information systems but does not
require transportation assets; thus, it is able to earn the highest revenue per dollar
of assets.
Note to Instructors: Students may wonder how asset-intensive companies
overcome their asset efficiency disadvantages to competitors with better asset
a. =Net Sales
Average Total Assets
Ratio of Net Sales to Total Assets
17-23