Textbook Problem

Use the following information for P4-17 and P4-18:

The Hershey Company is one of the world’s leading producers of chocolates, candies, and confections. It sells chocolates and candies, mints and gums, baking ingredients, toppings, and beverages. Hershey’s consolidated balance sheets for 20X2 and 20X3 follow.

Common-Size and Rate of Change Analyses: Hershey Refer to the information for Hershey above.

Required:

Compute the common-size balance sheet for 20X3 and the rate of change balance sheet for 20X3. Which two asset accounts and which two liability and share-holders equity accounts are the largest relative to total assets in 20X3? Which two asset account and which two liability and share-holders equity accounts grew at the fastest rates 20X3? (Note: You may find it helpful to enter the data into an Excel spreadsheet for these computations.)