Chapter 5: Evaluating Operating and Financial Performance
Part B
Your second challenge is to advise Kaj on what has been happening to Scandi from a financial
leverage, profitability, and efficiency perspective.
C. Creditors, as well as management, are also concerned about the ability of the venture to
meet its debt obligations as they come due, the proportion of current liabilities to total
debt, the availability of assets to meet debt obligations in the event of financial distress,
Financial Leverage:
2018 2019 Change
Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets 0.5909 0.6457 Higher
Equity Multiplier 2.444 2.822 Higher
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 1.444 1.822 Higher
Current-Liab.-to-Total Debt 0.4615 0.4490 Lower
Interest Coverage 5.263 2.000 Lower
D. Of importance to Kaj and the venture investors is the efficiency of the operations of the
venture. Several profit margin ratios relating to the income statement are available to
help analyze Scandi’s performance. Calculate average profit margin ratios for 2017-
2018 and 2018-2019 and describe what is happening to the profitability of Scandi Home
Furnishings.
Profitability Ratios:
2018 2019 Change
Gross Profit Margin 0.4000 0.3500 Lower