You can now compare prices for consumer electronics. personal computers, and entertainment software online by visiting the Best Buy and Circuit City Web sites. You can also compare their financial information online. Let's see how these companies compare. Required 1. Go to http://www.hoovers.com and then use the "Search" scroll bar to select Company In the next box type BBY, the stock symbol for Best Buy, and click on Go. For Best Buy Co., Inc., click on capsule and read the written description of the company. In what parts of the country are Best Buy stores located? 2. Go to the top of the page and click on the Financials tab. Under "Free Financial Information," click on Annual Financials.

a. For the two most recent fiscal years. list the amounts reported for "Revenue." "Cost of Goods Sold." "Gross Profit Margin" percentage, "Total Net Income," and "Inventories."

b. For the most recent year, calculate the rate of inventory turnover. Explain what this ratio indicates for Best Buy. 3. In the "Search for box at the top of page, type CC, the stock symbol for Circuit City, and click on Go. For Circuit City Stores, Inc., click on capsule and read the written description of the company. What is Circuit City's rank among major appliance and electronics chains? Which company is the leader? 4. Gather the same information requested in (2a) and (2b) above for Circuit City. 5. Which company is more profitable? Why?