Home Value Stores operates 264 membership warehouse stores in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The company offers low prices on a limited selection of household and grocery products. In the past year, sales increased by approximately 10.8 percent and net earnings increased by 6.4 percent. The company opened only two stores in 2017 and 2018 and closed one of its stores due to poor performance. Jack Davidson and Michael Prine are on the board of directors of Home Value and serve on the company's compensation committee. At a recent lunch meeting, they discussed the company's performance. (See the table on the next page for a balance sheet and an income statement.)
Both were pleased with the increase in profit and decided to recommend a contract extension and a substantial six-figure bonus for the company's CEO. They anticipated, however, that the third member of the compensation committee, Tanya Barrett, would object to the bonus. Tanya believes that accounting profit is a poor measure of future firm performance. In her opinion, the company should be focused on what it is doing today to create future value for shareholders. She has also pointed out that, although the company showed quarterly profit increases, its stock price remained flat.
Required
a. To prepare for an upcoming board meeting, Tanya has asked you to evaluate financial performance for 2017 and 2018, taking into account both the level of investment and the cost of capital. Specifically, she would like you to calculate the level of profit (loss) that was earned in excess of the amount required given the investment in the company. Assume that the cost of capital is 15 percent. Is it clear that the company has had superior financial performance?
b. In fiscal 2019, the CEO of Home Value Stores retired. His successor is concerned that warehouse managers do not understand how their actions are linked to the company's strategy and how they can affect future firm value. In his opinion, while monthly earnings are important, managers are focused almost exclusively on how their actions affect these numbers. Suggest a performance measurement technique that can be used to address the new CEO's concerns.

Comparative Financial Statements: Home Value Stores (in thousands) 2018 2017 Sales $26,360,000 $23,800,000 Merchandise costs 20,680,000 17,900,000 Operating, general and administrative 3,220,000 3,600,000 235,000 Rent 220,000 Depreciation and amortization Interest expense 211,000 200,500 110,000 90,000 Total 24,456,000 22,010,500 Earnings before taxes 1,904,000 1,789,500 626,325 es 666,400 $ 1,237,600 $ 1,163,175 Net earnings Assets Cash and temporary investments 90,000 60,000 Receivables 358,000 202,000 Inventories 1,944,000 1,405,000 Prepaid and other current assets 193,000 118,000 Total current assets 2,585,000 1,785,000 Land 140,000 260,000 Buildings and equipment (net) 640,000 450,000 900,000 590,000 $ 3,485,000 $ 2,375,000 Total assets Liabilities and Shareholders Equity Accounts payable Current portion of long-term debt Accrued income taxes $ 540,000 500,000 91,000 80,000 98,000 89,000 Total current liabilities 729,000 669,000 Long-term debt 810,000 600,000 Total liabilities 1,539,000 1,269,000 Shareholders' Equity Common stock 674,000 775,000 Retained earnings Total shareholders' equity 1,171,000 432,000 1,106,000 1,946,000 $ 3,485,000 $ 2,375,000 Total liabilities and shareholders equity