Case Study Objectives and Discussion Questions

Does Kraft Foods ' portfolio exhibit good strategic fit? What value-chain match-ups do you see?

10. What recommendations would you make to Jim Sinegal regarding the actions that Costco management needs to take to sustain the company’s growth and improve its financial performance?

The analysis of a company's financial statements helps in the determination of both the weaknesses and strengths of the concerned entity. Further, such an analysis helps in the determination of the future viability of firms. There are a wide range of techniques utilized in the analysis of financial statements. In that regard, it is important to note that the relevance of a horizontal, vertical as well as ratio analysis of a company's financial statements cannot be overstated. This is more so the case when it comes to the interpretation of the various dollar amounts presented in both the balance sheet and the income statement. In this text, I carry out a horizontal, vertical as well as ratio analysis of both The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, Inc. The analysis' results will be critical in the evaluation of each company's performance. Findings will be used as a basis for recommendations on how each company can improve its financial status.

The business portfolio analysis uses quantified performance measures and market growth to analyze a firm’s strategic business units as though they were a collection of separate investments. The BCG advises clients to locate the position of each of its SBUs on a growth share matrix. The vertical axis is the market growth rate, which is the annual rate of growth of the specific market or industry in which a given SBU is competing. The horizontal axis is the relative market share, defined as the sales of the SBU divided by the sales of the largest firm in the industry. Each of the quadrants are given a specific name and description based on the amount of cash they generate. Cash cows; are SBUs that typically generate large amounts of cash, far more than they can invest profitability in their own product line. They have a dominant share of slow-growth market and provide cash to pay large amounts of company overhead and to invest in other SBUs. Stars; are SBUs with a high share of high-growth markets that mat need extra cash to finance their own rapid future growth. When their growth slows, they are likely to become cash cows. Question marks or problem children; are SBUs with a low share of high growth markets. They require large injections of cash just to maintain their

Review of Financial Research Report: This assignment is an analysis of a US publicly-traded company; its common stock could be a prospective investment.  The report is due in Week 10, in needs to be at least 5 pages, and it needs to cover the following topics:

1. What is Kraft Foods Inc.’s corporate strategy? How has its corporate strategy evolved since its independence in 2007?

3. Why is Ben & Jerry’s a takeover target? Is there evidence that investors are dissatisfied?

Coca-Cola is a leading beverage industry in the United States and many other countries in the world. PepsiCo is also a leading worldwide beverage company, but they are also the parent company of the Frito-Lay and Quaker Oats Companies. This makes PepsiCo a leader in the beverage, snack and cereal industries. As consumers, we have indulged in their products for many years. My personal preference has always been Pepsi over Coke, which is why I was very interested in conducting this analysis. Regardless of the results, I will always seek out a Diet Pepsi over a Diet Coke and so will many of my physician friends at Children’s Hospital who start their mornings with a Diet Pepsi. These personal preferences are what contributes to a company’s profits through net sales. However, the key performance measurement tools used are not based on sales alone. Calculating liquidity, solvency, and profitability ratios on a regular basis give us a better insight on the performance and overall health of a company.

In this paper, I will tell you about a business called Johnson & Johnson. I will use financial analysis tools to determine how this company is performing. Lastly, I will explain reasons why this company should be in your investment portfolio.

One of the strengths that can be found in PepsiCo is in term of strong brand equity. PepsiCo has a strong brand name in the world place and the company is well-known worldwide. This company is the best global brand in the world in terms of value of net revenue $43,251 million in the year of 2008. The company has a very recognized and

Dell Computer Corporation was founded in 1984 by Michael Dell. From the early 1990s until the mid-2000s, Dell was ranked as a PC market leader relying on their distinctive marketing pattern “Direct Model” which undertook direct communication with customers and provided customized products. Recently, the PC industry is facing inconceivable worldwide competition, and Dell is gradually losing their competitive advantages by using its direct model in critical business segments. The company is facing shrinkage of growth, increasing competition, declining quality of customer service, and limitation of expansion. These issues have an enormous impact on Dell’s position as a technological giant in the PC industry.

All managers need to understand where value comes from in their firm. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the financial strategy and performance of this particular publicly traded company. The process of understanding the risk and profitability of a company by analyzing reported financial info, especially annual and quarterly reports are vital to identifying the company’s overall financial performance. I wanted to analyze Coca Cola because the company has so much history and is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. I have always enjoyed researching food and beverage companies

Comparing financial data from statements can help determine whether or not it is a sound decision to invest in a company. This information can also help determine if a company is operating successfully and areas of risk within the company. This analyzing can help one company compare itself to another company and ensure that they are able to compete with other companies in their respective industries. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are two major companies that make a majority of their money from producing and selling soft drinks. To compare these companies we are going to use vertical and horizontal analyses to see if these

Furthermore, he praises Michael Dell as the perfect man to take Dell Incorporated out of its slump. He stated that “he (Dell) is the man to do it. No one cares enough about the future of the company. He put in 700 million of his own money and spearheaded the deal” (BBC News). This is different from the view point of the New York Times which doesn’t necessarily take a side with the shareholders or Michael Dell, but rather analyzes the effect this move might have on the hi-tech market and the probability of Dell Inc. seeing growth in the long run and continuing to compete with larger hi-tech companies. According to the BBC article, analysts are stressing the fact that a leveraged buyout will give Mr. Dell the flexibility in turning the company around, by no longer needing to show strong results every quarter to shareholders on the stock market. Moreover BBC points out that the company lost its direction between 2004-2007, the same years when Michael Dell stepped down from day to day management of the company. This includes the unsuccessful launch of the Streak tablet back in 2010 (BBC News)

3. What is your evaluation of the growth strategy (a strategy for a giant global conglomerate with a portfolio of mature industrial businesses) Immelt has articulated? Is he betting on the right things to drive growth?