For fiscal year 2017, Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) had a net profit margin of 2.08%, asset turnover of 3.55, and a book equity multiplier of 3.37. In the same fiscal year, Walmart Inc. had a ROE of 30.05%, a ROA of 15.20%, and a book value of equity of $1.8 Billion.

a) Use this data to compute Costco's ROE using the DuPont Identity. [1 point]

b) What is Walmart's book value of assets? What is Walmart's book debt-to-equity ratio? assume that total debt includes all current and long-term liabilities) [2 points)

c) If Costco's managers wanted to increase its ROE to match Walmart's ROE, how much higher would their net profit margin need to be? Show how Costco could achieve a similar ROE by increasing asset turnover? [3 points]

d) Costco's managers realize that they will be unable to increase asset turnover or net profit margin. Nonetheless, Costco's shareholders expect Costco to achieve a similar ROE as Walmart. How much would Costco's debt-to-equity ratio need to change to match Walmart's ROE? [4 points]

Self-interest achieve society’s economic goals because producers know which goods consumers want the most. as consumers and producers exercise their freedom to act in their own self-interest, markets will produce the desired goods at the lowest possible cost. consumers and producers both operate based on society’s economic goals. consumers know which goods can be produced at the lowest cost. there is a wide variety of desired goods and services in a market system because producers determine what to produce. consumers change their minds frequently. there is always a need to produce something new and improved. individual wants are diverse. what is produced is ultimately determined by consumers, because if the goods offered are not what consumers want, consumers will not buy them. producers, because they are driven by profits. producers, because they determine what to produce. consumers, because they participate in marketing surveys.

Shrieves casting company is considering adding a new line to its product mix, and the capital budgeting analysis is being conducted by sidney johnson, a recently graduated mba. the production line would be set up in unused space in the main plant. the machinery’s invoice price would be approximately $200,000, another $10,000 in shipping charges would be required, and it would cost an additional $30,000 to install the equipment. the machinery has an economic life of 4 years, and shrieves has obtained a special tax ruling that places the equipment in the macrs 3-year class. the machinery is expected to have a salvage value of $25,000 after 4 years of use. the new line would generate incremental sales of 1,250 units per year for 4 years at an incremental cost of $100 per unit in the first year, excluding depreciation. each unit can be sold for $200 in the first year. the sales price and cost are both expected to increase by 3% per year due to inflation. further, to handle the new line, the firm’s net working capital would have to increase by an amount equal to 12% of sales revenues. the firm’s tax rate is 40%, and its overall weighted average cost of capital, which is the risk-adjusted cost of capital for an average project (r), is 10%. define “incremental cash flow.” (1) should you subtract interest expense or dividends when calculating project cash flow?

Danielle enjoys working as a certified public accountant (cpa) and assisting small businesses and individuals with managing their finances and taxes. which general area of accounting is her specialty? danielle specialized in