a) Based on the ratios, what are the primary differences between the corporation and other companiesin the industry or the primary competitor? What specific ratios explain the reasons for these differences?

b) In your opinion, does the corporation compare favorably or unfavorably to the industry or the primary competitor? Give examples to support your conclusion.

Laboratory Corporationg Quest Diagnostics Income Statement Common-Size Data Gross Profit/Sales Income from Continuing Operations/Sales 33.7% 38.6% 78% 8.6% Balance Sheet Common-Size Data Current Assets/Total Assets Current Liabilities Total Assets Liabilities/Total Assets Equity/Total Assets 17.4% 12.8% 61.2% 38.6% 15.2% 9.7% 53.1% 46.1% Profitability Ratios Profit Margin Return on Assets Return on Equity Dividend Payout Ratio 7.8% 5.2% 14% 0.0% 8.6% 6.4% 13.8% Liquidity Ratios Current Ratio Quick Ratio 1.36 1.56 0.96 Solvency Ratios Debt/Total Assets Times Interest Earned 0.61% 0.53% 6.04 8.51 imes imes Operational Ratios Receivable Turnover Inventory Turnover 7.4 imes imes 31.6 55.6 imes imes