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Abbott Labs Financial Analysis

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Balance Sheet
The biggest change in Abbott’s balance sheet can be seen in the composition of its asset accounts. In 2006, % of the firm’s assets were current, while 69% were of the long-term variety. In 2010, however, the portion of current assets increased by 7%. This increase in current assets is most visible in cash and short-term investments (4% in 2006 to 9% in 2010) and corresponds with a higher level of uncertainty in today’s economy. The fact that Abbott Laboratories has chosen to increase the value of liquid assets on its balance sheet indicates low returns on long-term investments and a preference of keeping cash on hand rather than reinvesting in the business.
The liabilities section of Abbott’s balance sheet does not …show more content…

The firm’s accounts receivable ratio increased from 68.71 in 2006 to 74.56 in 2010. This means that it is taking Abbott almost six days longer to collect from its customers today than it did five years ago. Furthermore, the firm’s accounts payable days has decreased from 43.72 in 2006 to 38.22 in 2010. This means that Abbott is paying its suppliers 5½ days earlier today than it did in 2006. A change in the inventory ratio from 8.01 in 2006 to 11.03 in 2010 indicates that it is taking the firm longer to sell finished goods than it used to. The increase in the accounts receivable and inventory ratios, combined with a decrease in the accounts payable ratio, indicates poor working capital management and helps to explain why the firm has increased its holdings of cash and short-term investments. To correct this, Abbott’s managers should focus on collecting cash from its customers faster and delaying payments to its suppliers. To maximize its cash position, the firm would be best served by paying its suppliers in the same amount of time as it collects payment from its customers.
Abbott’s fixed asset and total asset turnover ratios can tell us how well the firm uses its assets to generate revenue. The fixed asset ratio provides the proportion of sales to fixed assets and tells us how much revenue is

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