Business Applications Case Using ratios to make comparisons

The following accounting information pertains to Clemens Corp. and Twain Inc. at the end of 2009. The only difference between the two companies is that Clemens uses FIFO while Twain uses LIFO.

Clemens

Twain

Cash

$ 75,000

$ 75,000

Accounts receivable

200,000

200,000

Merchandise inventory

150,000

100,000

Accounts payable

160,000

160,000

Cost of goods sold

600,000

650,000

Building

250,000

250,000

Sales

1,000,000

1,000,000

Required

a. Compute the gross margin percentage for each company, and identify the company that appears to be charging the higher prices in relation to its costs.

b. For each company, compute the inventory turnover ratio and the average number of days to sell inventory. Identify the company that appears to be incurring the higher inventory financing cost.

c. Explain why the company with the lower gross margin percentage has the higher inventory turnover ratio.