Evaluating Operating Performance Information is provided below for two companies that produce and sell audio magnification devices for the hearing impaired.

John, Inc.

Roberta Company

2005

2004

2005

2004

Sales revenue

825

770

352

330

Cost of goods sold

540

504

250

216

Gross profit

285

266

102

114

Operating expenses

168

189

70

60

Operating income

117

77

32

54

Interest expense

30

20

10

8

Income before tax

87

57

22

46

Tax

30

20

8

16

Net income

57

37

14

30

Accounts receivable

78

73

39

34

Inventories

139

136

85

71

Fixed assets

900

850

600

550

Total assets

1,630

1,530

850

765

Required

A. For each company and each year, compute the following measures:

1. Profit margin

2. Gross profit margin

3. Operating profit margin

4. Asset turnover

5. Accounts receivable turnover

6. Inventory turnover

7. Return on assets

8. Fixed asset turnover

9. Times interest earned

10. Day’s sales in inventory

11. Average collection period for accounts receivable

B. For each year, prepare a schedule summarizing which company had the better value of each ratio.

C. Prepare a schedule that shows, for each company, whether the value of each ratio improved or declined.

D. Which firm had the stronger operating performance during the periods studied? Briefly summarize why.