Next Plc Essay

2. List the four basic types of financial ratios used to measure a company’s performance, give an example of each type of ratio and explain its significance.

The gross profit ratio indicates that Next plc was able to maintain their gross profit. It has decreased insignificantly by 0.05%. In 2011

NEXT PLC is a retailing company that primarily operates in the UK, and has been trading for almost 150 years; however, the brand itself was first created in 1982 (Next plc, 2010a). The company offers a range of clothing, accessories, home ware and footwear. The company’s headquarters is located in Leicester, UK and is currently run by Chief Executive Simon Wolfson. NEXT distributes through three main channels: NEXT Retail, operating in more than 500 stores around the UK and Ireland, NEXT Directory, a website and catalogue list for over 2 million active users. And NEXT International, with chains of over 180 stores worldwide including an international website. However, NEXT also

1. Please conduct a financial ratio analysis using the data in Exhibit 2. How do the results reflect different strategies pursued by the 4 firms?

Examine the concepts of working capital and the financial analysis of a company’s working capital position.

On the other hand, the company has been growing constantly. In deed, according to the net income estimation for 2007 (see Table 7) the company increases its profits $25 thousand dollars more than the previous year. This is an evidence of how the company is been management and of its willing to grow year after year. Nevertheless, the first quarter of 2007 the working capital only has increased by $7 thousand dollars, which is the difference between the current assets and current liabilities but the importance of this is that according to the rotation on receivables and payable accounts, shown in Table 5 and 10, leads us to the conclusion that the company will have to pay its suppliers

In this case the concentration is on “Company Performance Measurement”, using the “Ratios”, ‎before we answer to the question, we have to focus a bit on the “Financial Ratios”‎

This assignment will analyse and compare the financial performance between NEXT and DEBENHAMS by examining their latest Annual Reports. In order to conclude and comment on these two businesses, appropriate ratios will be calculated through the figures in their business financial statements and the information regarding their industry and market conditions in Annual Reports will also be analysed.

The Net Profit Margin in 2012 was 10.5% while in 2013 it was 66.6%. This increase in the Net Profit Margin can be attributed to the increase in net profits after taxes despite the fact that there was a slight decrease in revenues.

Before beginning an analysis of a company it is necessary to have a complete set of financial statements, preferably for the pas few years so that historical trends can be obtained. Ratios are a way for anyone to get an idea of the financial performance of a company by using the information contained in the financial statements. Ratios are grouped into four basic categories, liquidity, activity, profitability, and financial leverage. This document will use a variety of these ratios to analyze the firm, Sample Company, as of December 31,2000.

Working capital ratio, the working capital ratio, also called the current ratio. Is a liquidity ratio that measures a firm 's ability to pay off its current liabilities. For example, financial obligation, with their current assets. Working capital is calculated

1.) Selected option should lead to a reduction in working capital requirement and reduce short term debt in the process.

Working capital is the excess of a company’s current assets over its current liabilities. Financially healthy firms have positive working capitals.

Improving working capital position, a company is able to compare from year to year any increase in revenue; increase in production due to a decrease in variable or fixed costs, increase in sales due to a new sales workforce and any increase in liabilities; new short term creditors, a higher accounts payable account due to the need to purchase new materials. A company can improve its working capital by trying to keep a healthy balance between the two accounts, cutting costs, and analyzing its current short-term debt in terms of how to decrease it or find alternative ways to avoid it such as restructuring production procedures. (Schroeder, el. 2014)

BBC’s working capital policy was too conservative. This is apparent in their high level of net working capital with more than 4.2 million in 2010-2011 fiscal year. Although, the net working capital was in the positive figures, their assets were 10 time more than their liabilities. When further reviewing this figure it is because they have a large amount of inventory and accounts receivable. Their liquid assets to total assets ration was between 62% and 66%. Where industry bench marks are 30%.