Selected accounting information is provided below for two companies.
|
(In millions) |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
|
Total assets: |
||||
|
Sara Lee |
$10,167 |
$11,611 |
$10,292 |
$10,989 |
|
Merck & Co. |
44,007 |
40,155 |
35,934 |
31,853 |
|
Depreciation and amortization: |
||||
|
Sara Lee |
599 |
602 |
533 |
618 |
|
Merck & Co. |
1,464 |
1,277 |
1,145 |
1,015 |
|
Capital expenditures: |
||||
|
Sara Lee |
532 |
647 |
535 |
474 |
|
Merck & Co. |
2,725 |
2,728 |
2,561 |
1,973 |
What trends in asset investments are apparent from the data presented? (Hint: Compare total assets, capital expenditures to total assets, and capital expenditures to depreciation and amortization for each year.)