Selected Supplier Balance Sheet Data (U.S. $ in millions)

For Period Ending December 31, 2019

	Kobold	Hancy	Tarret	LaRose
ASSETS
Cash	$95.9	$35	$85	$54.3
Marketable securities	$122.5	$9	$105	$27.7
Accounts receivable	$889	$45	$380	$174.5
Inventories	$1057.7	$75	$165	$135.4
Total current assets	$2,165.1	$164	$735	$391.9
Investments at equity	$738.4	$21	$70	$95
Goodwill	$300	$40	$145	$80.4
Total investments and other assets	$1,038.4	$61	$215	$175.4
Property, plant, and equipment	$1,734.5	$125	$450	$412.5
TOTAL ASSETS	$4,938	$350	$1,400	$979.8

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable	$525.5	$11	$48	$35
Accounts payable	$525.9	$75	$225	$125
Taxes due on income	$245	$23	$70	$48
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	$484.2	$13.5	$202	$139
Total current liabilities	$1,780.6	$122.5	$545	$347
Long-term debt	$1,243.5	$55	$241	$165
Shareholders' equity	$1,913.9	$172.5	$614	$467.8
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$4,938	$350	$1,400	$979.8

Statement of Income Data (U.S. $ in millions)

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Selling, general, and administrative expenses	$475	$65	$570	$250
	Kobold	Hancy	Tarret	LaRose
Net sales	$6,500	$550	$2,300	$1,355
Cost of goods sold	$5,500	$407.5	$1,495	$948.5
Interest expense	$300	$12	$65	$55
Costs and expenses	$6,275	$484.5	$2,130	$1,253.5
Income before income taxes	$225	$65.5	$170	$101.5
Estimated taxes on income	$100	$28	$66.5	$55
NET INCOME	$125	$37.5	$103.5	$46.5

Supplier Financial Analysis A supplier financial analysis is likely whenever a purchaser is attempting to reduce a pool of potential supply sources. If a supplier does not meet certain thresholds as defined by the purchaser, then the supplier will likely not move to the next level of consideration. Financial ratios are a key part of a supplier financial analysis. Of course, the key to a supplier financial analysis is a purchaser's ability to obtain reliable and complete financial data, which can be a challenge when evaluating closely or privately held corporations. Besides calculating and attempting to interpret the meaning of financial ratios, comparing ratio data can provide even greater insight into a supplier's financial condition. While no correct answers exist for financial ratios, a comparison of a supplier's ratios to published industry norms can help identify if further financial analysis is necessary. An analyst should also compare several years of supplier financial data, if available, to identify favorable or unfavorable trends. Another comparison involves comparing a supplier's ratios with specific competitors, which is likely when a purchaser has collected data from more than one supplier. Refer to the attached balance sheet and income statement figures from four possible suppliers: Kobold, Hancy, Tarret and LaRose Q1. For EACH of the four suppliers, calculate the following financial ratios and interpret these key financial ratios (refer to page 274 in your text - 7th Edition): A) Current ratio B) Debt to Equity ratio C) Return on equity D) Net profit margin E) Inventory turnover Q2. Indicate which supplier you would recommend as the strongest financially. Q3. Why