$.$Liquidity

Current

$1\mathrm{.}50$x

$1\mathrm{.}06$x

$1\mathrm{.}48$x

Quick

$0\mathrm{.}71$x

$0\mathrm{.}76$x

$0\mathrm{.}78$x

$2.$ Efficiency

Average collection period

$32$ days

$34$ days

$33$ days

Inventory turnover

$62$ days

$58$ days

$66$ days

Days payable outstanding

$33$ days

$34$ days

$33$ days

Fixed asset turnover

$8\mathrm{.}95$x

$9\mathrm{.}09$x

$8\mathrm{.}85$x

Total asset turnover

$1\mathrm{.}80$x

$1\mathrm{.}77$x

$1\mathrm{.}82$x

$3.$ Leverage

Debt ratio $($liabilities$)$

$60\mathrm{.}47\%$

$64\mathrm{.}04\%$

$60\mathrm{.}17\%$

L$/$T Debt to Capital

$35\mathrm{.}09\%$

$34\mathrm{.}91\%$

$36\mathrm{.}33\%$

Times interest earned

$13\mathrm{.}02$x

$12\mathrm{.}00$x

$11\mathrm{.}23$x

Fixed charge coverage

$4\mathrm{.}87$x

$4\mathrm{.}15$x

$3\mathrm{.}25$x

$4.$ Profitability

Gross profit margin

$48\mathrm{.}21\%$

$48\mathrm{.}39\%$

$48\mathrm{.}52\%$

Operating profit margin

$12\mathrm{.}05\%$

$12\mathrm{.}56\%$

$12\mathrm{.}52\%$

Net profit margin

$5\mathrm{.}73\%$

$6\mathrm{.}02\%$

$6\mathrm{.}41\%$

$5.$ Returns

Return on equity

$5\mathrm{.}90\%$

$5\mathrm{.}51\%$

$4\mathrm{.}01\%$

Return on capital

$4\mathrm{.}84\%$

$3\mathrm{.}95\%$

$3\mathrm{.}05\%$

From the list of five general performance categories above, select what you consider to be the strongest category and the weakest category. Importantly, describe your rationale!

Strongest Category: $.$ Weakest Category: $.$

Describe your Rationale here: