Financial Analysis
Investment analysis is a wide approach which encompasses various factors of a business in terms of investment. It could include evaluation of past financial statement and past return from a business to forecast the future returns and performance of the business. Selection on the type of investment such as equity, bond or debt is also important for the investors (Kurth, 2013). It depends upon the choice and needs of the investors. Investment analysis could help the business to determine that how the business would likely to perform in the future and whether it is suitable for the investors or not.
In investment analysis, various tools are used by the analyst to identify the future prediction about the performance and position of the business. It measures the financial position, stock position, external factors of the business, strategically position of the business etc to reach over a conclusion that whether the investment into the company is a good choice or not. It also offers the suggestion about the buy or sells the security in the market.
Financial analysis is a tool to evaluate the financial transaction, performance and position of a business in order to get an outcome about the investment and financial strategies of the business. This analysis tool makes it easier for the investors to make an outcome about the sell or buy the stock of the company. “Ratio analysis” is one of the important tools of financial analysis to identify the profitability, liquidity, solvency, efficiency etc position of the business (Krantz, 2016). Ratio analysis of both the companies is as follows:
Profitability ratios:
Profitability ratios are part of ratio analysis which evaluates the profit generation ability of a business. It evaluates the total profit of the business and forecast the future performance of the business.
Return on total assets:
Return on total assets measures the profit making ability of a business against the available total assets. It identifies that how much profit could be made by the business against the resources. In case of CBA, it has been found that the return on total assets of the business is lower which has been even reduced in 2018 to 0.96%. Further, in case of A2M, it has been found that the company has managed a great level of profitability position. The profits of the business are continuously improving and the current ROA of the company is 27.08%.
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|
CBA |
||
|
Profitability Ratios: |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Return on Total assets |
|||
|
Net profit / |
9,227,000 |
9,928,000 |
9,329,000 |
|
Total Assets |
933,078,000 |
976,374,000 |
975,165,000 |
|
Answer: |
0.99% |
1.02% |
0.96% |
|
|
A2M |
|||
|
Profitability Ratios: |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
Return on Total assets |
||||
|
Net profit / |
29,017 |
86,330 |
179,477 |
|
|
Total Assets |
200,355 |
327,552 |
662,733 |
|
|
Answer: |
% |
14.48% |
26.36% |
27.08% |
Return on equity:
Return on total equity measures the profit making ability of a business against the available equity. It identifies that how much profit could be made by the business against the total funds from the equity resources. In case of CBA, it has been found that the return on equity has been even reduced in 2018 to 13.9% (Kinsky, 2011). Further, in case of A2M, it has been found that the company has managed a great level of profitability position. The profits of the business are continuously improving and the current ROE of the company is 35.2%.
|
Profitability Ratios: |
CBA |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Rate of return on ordinary equity |
||||
|
Net profit / |
9,227,000 |
9,928,000 |
9,329,000 |
|
|
Total equity |
60,206,000 |
63,170,000 |
67,306,000 |
|
|
Answer: |
15.3% |
15.7% |
13.9% |
|
|
A2M |
||
|
Profitability Ratios: |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Rate of return on ordinary equity |
|||
|
Net profit / |
29,017 |
86,330 |
179,477 |
|
Total equity |
126,874 |
229,983 |
509,684 |
|
Answer: |
22.9% |
37.5% |
35.2% |
Profitability Ratios
Gross profit margin:
Gross profit margin measures the gross profit of a business against the total turnover of the business. It identifies that how much gross profit could be made by the business against the sales. In case of CBA, it has been found that the gross profit margin of the business is lower which has been even improved in 2018 to 53.1%. Further, in case of A2M, it has been found that the company has managed a great level of profitability position. The profits of the business are continuously improving and the gross profit margin of the company is 50.3%.
|
Profitability Ratios: |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Gross profit margin |
|||
|
Gross profit / |
16935000 |
17600000 |
18341000 |
|
Sales Revenue |
33817000 |
33293000 |
34543000 |
|
Answer: |
50.1% |
52.9% |
53.1% |
|
|
A2M |
||
|
Profitability Ratios: |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Gross profit margin |
|||
|
Gross profit / |
143966 |
250970 |
425891 |
|
Sales Revenue |
336068 |
523092 |
845963 |
|
Answer: |
42.8% |
48.0% |
50.3% |
Net profit margin:
Net profit margin measures the net profit of a business against the total turnover of the business. It identifies that how much net profit could be made by the business against the sales (Horngren, 2009). In case of CBA, it has been found that the net profit margin of the business is lower which has been even improved in 2018 to 27.01%. Further, in case of A2M, it has been found that the company has managed a great level of profitability position. The profits of the business are continuously improving and the gross profit margin of the company is 21.22%.
|
Profitability Ratios: |
CBA |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Net profit margin |
||||
|
Net profit / |
9,227,000 |
9,928,000 |
9,329,000 |
|
|
Sales Revenue |
% |
33,817,000 |
33,293,000 |
34,543,000 |
|
Answer: |
27.29% |
29.82% |
27.01% |
|
|
A2M |
|||
|
Profitability Ratios: |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
Net profit / |
29,017 |
86,330 |
179,477 |
|
|
Sales Revenue |
% |
336,068 |
523,092 |
845,963 |
|
Answer: |
8.63% |
16.50% |
21.22% |
On the basis of the profitability ratio evaluation, it has been measured that the performance of A2M is better than CBA in terms of managing the profitability level.
Liquidity ratio:
Liquidity ratios are part of ratio analysis which evaluates the short debt payment ability of a business. It evaluates the current and quick assets of the business against the current liabilities in order to forecast the risk position and liquidity level of the business.
|
CBA |
|||
|
Liquidity Ratios |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Current Ratio |
|||
|
Current Assets / |
706,989,000 |
741,799,000 |
752,587,000 |
|
Current liabilities |
829,316,000 |
865,483,000 |
864,397,000 |
|
Answer: |
0.85 |
0.86 |
0.87 |
|
Quick ratio |
|||
|
Current Assets – Inventory / |
695,398,000 |
731,762,000 |
743,365,000 |
|
Current Liabilities |
829,316,000 |
865,483,000 |
864,397,000 |
|
Answer: |
0.84 |
0.85 |
0.86 |
|
A2M |
||||
|
Liquidity Ratios |
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Current Ratio |
||||
|
Current Assets / |
173,918 |
245,989 |
464,149 |
|
|
Current liabilities |
73,227 |
97,474 |
152,939 |
|
|
Answer: |
2.38 |
2.52 |
3.03 |
|
|
Quick ratio |
||||
|
Current Assets – Inventory / |
123,812 |
218,906 |
405,357 |
|
|
Current Liabilities |
73,227 |
97,474 |
152,939 |
|
|
Answer: |
1.69 |
2.25 |
2.65 |
The current ratio and quick ratio of both the companies have been measured. In case of CBA, it has been found that the current and quick level of the company is almost similar and it shows that the company is required to improve in the level to manage the performance. Further, in terms of A2M market, it has been found that the current ratio and quick ratio, both are in the favour of the company. The level of current and quick assets of the company is higher than the current liabilities of the business. However, the assets level of the business is higher which lead to higher working capital.
On the basis of evaluation on both the companies, it has been measured that the liquidity level of A2M is way better than CBA as the A2M has succeeded in managing the risk level of the business.
Efficiency ratio:
Efficiency ratios are part of ratio analysis which evaluates the working capital management and efficient level of a business. It evaluates the debtors, creditors and inventory level of the business against the sales and cost of sales in order to forecast the efficiency level of the business (Drury, 2013).
|
CBA |
||||
|
Asset Efficiency Ratios |
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Inventory Turnover (days) |
||||
|
Average Inventory / |
11,591,000 |
10,037,000 |
9,222,000 |
|
|
Cost of Sales |
# days |
16,935,000 |
17,600,000 |
18,341,000 |
|
Answer: (note the above needs to be x 365) |
249.82 |
208.15 |
183.52 |
|
|
Receivables Turnover (days) |
||||
|
Average trade debtors / |
11,591,000 |
10,037,000 |
9,222,000 |
|
|
Sales revenue (note used operating revenue) |
# days |
103,762,000 |
110,891,000 |
110,768,000 |
|
Answer: (note the above needs to be x 365) |
40.77 |
33.04 |
30.39 |
|
A2M |
||||
|
Asset Efficiency Ratios |
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Inventory Turnover (days) |
||||
|
Average Inventory / |
50,106 |
27,083 |
58,792 |
|
|
Cost of Sales |
# days |
192,102 |
272,123 |
420,072 |
|
Answer: (note the above needs to be x 365) |
95.20 |
36.33 |
51.08 |
|
|
Receivables Turnover (days) |
||||
|
Average trade debtors / |
42,635 |
65,541 |
54,880 |
|
|
Sales revenue (note used operating revenue) |
# days |
127,128 |
230,078 |
509,794 |
|
Answer: (note the above needs to be x 365) |
122.41 |
103.98 |
39.29 |
The inventory turnover and receivable turnover ratio of both the companies have been measured. In case of CBA, it has been found that the company has been reduced the days of inventory turnover and debtor’s turnover to manage the working capital and improve the cash conversion cycle of the business. Further, in terms of A2M market, it has been found that the company has also been reduced the days of inventory turnover and debtor’s turnover to manage the working capital and improve the cash conversion cycle of the business.
Return on total assets
On the basis of evaluation on both the companies, it has been measured that the assets efficiency level of A2M is way better than CBA as the working capital level and efficiency position of business is better than CBA.
Capital structure ratio:
Capital structure ratios evaluate the various sources of funds which improves the capital position of the business. It evaluates the debt, assets, equity etc level of the business in order to forecast the cost and return level of the business.
|
CBA |
|||
|
Capital Structure ratio |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt to asset ratio |
|||
|
Total debt |
15,544,000 |
18,726,000 |
22,992,000 |
|
Total assets |
933,078,000 |
976,374,000 |
975,165,000 |
|
Answer: |
0.017 |
0.019 |
0.024 |
|
Interest cover ratio |
|||
|
EBIT / |
16,935,000 |
17,600,000 |
18,341,000 |
|
Interest expenses |
16,882,000 |
15,693,000 |
16,202,000 |
|
Answer: |
1.003 |
1.122 |
1.132 |
|
Gearing ratio |
|||
|
Long term liabilities / |
15,544,000 |
18,726,000 |
22,992,000 |
|
Capital employed |
103,762,000 |
110,891,000 |
110,768,000 |
|
Answer: |
0.150 |
0.169 |
0.208 |
|
A2M |
||||
|
Capital Structure ratio |
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt to asset ratio |
||||
|
Total debt |
254 |
95 |
110 |
|
|
Total assets |
200,355 |
327,552 |
662,733 |
|
|
Answer: |
0.001 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
|
|
Interest cover ratio |
||||
|
EBIT / |
72,012 |
132,952 |
277,360 |
|
|
Interest expenses |
195 |
129 |
127 |
|
|
Answer: |
369.292 |
1,030.636 |
2,183.937 |
|
|
Gearing ratio |
||||
|
Long term liabilities / |
254 |
95 |
110 |
|
|
Capital employed |
127,128 |
230,078 |
509,794 |
|
|
Answer: |
0.002 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
The debt to assets ratio, interest coverage ratio and gearing ratio of both the companies has been measured. In case of CBA, it has been found that the company has improved the capital level in order to manage the optimal capital ratio. Further, in terms of A2M market, the debt level of the company is quite lower than the asset position which leads to the business towards the lower position of the business (Bhimani, Horngren, Datar and Foster, 2008).
On the basis of evaluation on both the companies, it has been measured that the capital structure position of CBA is way better than A2M as the capital structure level has been maintained by the company in better way,
Strategic analysis depicts to the procedure of conducting the research on a company and it operates the environment of a business to formulate the strategy.
The commonwealth bank of Australia is a multinational bank in Australian market. It also operates its business across the Asian, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States market. The main financial services of company include the retail business and institutional banking. The other services of the business are fund management, insurance, superannuation, broking services etc. It is the largest Australian bank which is listed in ASX. It has been founded in 1911 by the Australian government (Home, 2018). In 1996, it has been fully privatised. Headquarter of the business is in Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.
The strategic analysis of CBA has been measured and it has been found that the main strength of the business is that bank owns various branches, bank is operating its business into various countries, bank is among the four major banks, revenue and profits of the business are also higher etc. The main weakness of the business is financial strength rating, banks’ involvement in various controversies, loan impairment expenses etc. (Morningstar, 2018).
The main opportunity of the business is implementation of technology, initiative such as “one common bank” and expansion of services in Asian market and long term growth in the business etc. And the threat of the business is investor’s confidence in the global economy, huge risk in foreign exchange rates etc.
The A2 MILK CO LTD is a multinational company in Australian market. It operates its business across the Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, United Kingdom and China. The main product of the business is A2 milk, infant formula, dairy etc. It mainly focuses on the milk related products like infant formula (Home, 2018). It has been founded in 2000 in New Zealand. Headquarter of the business is in Sydney, Australia.
Return on equity
The strategic analysis of A2M has been measured and it has been found that the main strength of the business is highly skilled workforce, strong dealer community, strong free cash flow, successful track record, reliable suppliers, superb performance in the market, high level of customer satisfaction etc. The main weakness of the business is limited success outside the core business, high attraction rate in labour, worst profitability rate, gaps in the product range etc. (Ackert and Deaves, 2009).
The main opportunity of the business is decreasing the cost of transpiration due to the slower shipping prices, stable free cash flow, new environment policies, lower inflation rate, new taxation policy, market development etc. And the threat of the business is raising pay, liability laws, new technologies, increased trend, no regular supply etc.
The trade war of Australian market has been identified and it has been found that the Trump government has tried to reduce the trade with Australian market so that the economical performance of the business could be reduced. Because of this, few changes have occurred into the trade position (SMH, 2018). However, it has not impacted much on the performance of the business.
On the basis of the trade war analysis, the equity analysis of the Australian market has been done and it has been concluded that the trade war has not impacted much on the Australian equity market. The performance of the market is still better because of the diversity of the exported market of Australia (Garrison, Noreen, Brewer and McGowan, 2010). However, the investors are required to identify the business’s activity market. If the business is operating into various markets than the equity investment into that business is a better choice for the market.
It becomes important for the investor to identify that whether the business is operating its business in the US market, if yes, than how much impact of trade war has been done on the Australian market (Elton, Gruber, Brown and Goetzmann, 2009). On the basis of the analysis, investors are suggested to check the activity market of the business and make decision.
Fund managers and the professionals are required to embrace an ethical approach towards their work. Ethics in the fund management industry is a straight forward affair. It has been agreed that fund managers must act in the best interest of the clients as there is no shortage of legislation and rules in the fund management industry (Hansen, Mowen and Guan, 2007).
It is expected from the fund professionals to give better advices to the related parties about the investment into equity or assets in an ethical way. The main principle of ethics in fund management industry is to offer fair information to the investors so that they could make better decision about the performance of the business. A recent report of CFA institute has shown that the trust level of investors on the financial professionals have improved from 50% in 2016 to 61% in 2018 (Funds Europe, 2018). It leads to the discussion that the transparency has been improved in the industry which leads to the better performance of the business.
On the basis of the discussion on the ethical behaviour of professionals, it has been concluded that the trust level of the investors have been improved. Along with that, it became important for the fund managers to maintain the dignity and ethical behaviour so that the overall position and performance could be managed.
Conclusion:
On the basis of the study on CBA and A2M companies as well as Australian trade war and ethical behaviour of fund managers, it is concluded that the performance of the professionals have been improved which led to more trust and transparency into the professional reports. On the basis of the study on both the companies, it has been concluded that both the company’s strategies are quite competitive. However, the A2M business has been succeeded in managing the performance of the financial position in better way.
The profitability, liquidity and efficiency level of the business is quite better. In addition, the CBA performance explain that the company has not been able to manage the financial performance which has lead to lower profitability, liquidity and efficiency level of the business. However, the capital of the business has been maintained in an efficient way by the business. It lead to the conclusion that the business should sell the shares of CBA and must buy the share of A2M as it would help the investors to get extra return from the companies and the investment position of the investors would also been improved.
References:
Ackert, L. and Deaves, R. 2009. Behavioral Finance: Psychology, Decision-Making, and Markets. Cengage Learning.
Bhimani, A., Horngren, C. T., Datar, S. M., and Foster, G. 2008. Management and cost accounting (Vol. 1). Pearson Education.
DRURY, C. M. 2013. Management and cost accounting. Springer.
Elton, E.J., Gruber, M.J., Brown, S.J., and Goetzmann, W.N. 2009. Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis. John Wiley and Sons.
Funds Europe. 2018. Fund management rules. [online]. Available at: https://www.funds-europe.com/march-2016/17822-ethics-in-fund-management-there-s-more-to-good-behaviour-than-rules (accessed 2/9/18).
Garrison, R. H., Noreen, E. W., Brewer, P. C., and McGowan, A. 2010. Managerial accounting. Issues in Accounting Education, 25(4), 792-793.
Hansen, D. R., Mowen, M. M., and Madison, T. 2010. Cornerstones of cost accounting. Issues in Accounting Education, 25(4), 790-791.
Home. 2018. A2M company limited. [online]. Available at: https://thea2milkcompany.com/ (accessed 2/9/18).
Home. 2018. Commonwealth bank of Australia. [online]. Available at: https://www.commbank.com.au/ (accessed 2/9/18).
Home. 2018. Wesfarmers limited. [online]. Available at: https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/ (accessed 25/5/18).
Horngren, C. T. 2009. Cost accounting: A managerial emphasis, 13/e. Pearson Education India.
Kinsky, R. 2011. Charting Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide to Technical Analysis. John Wiley and Sons.
Krantz, M. 2016. Fundamental Analysis for Dummies. John Wiley and Sons.
Kurth, S. 2013. Critical Review about Implications of the Efficient Market Hypothesis. GRIN Verlag.
Morningstar. 2018. A2M company limited. [online]. Available at: https://financials.morningstar.com/income-statement/is.html?t=0P00015NU3&culture=en-US&ops=clear (accessed 2/9/18).
Morningstar. 2018. Commonwealth bank of Australia. [online]. Available at: https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/xasx/cba/quote.html (accessed 2/9/18).
SMH. 2018. Trade war of australia. [online]. Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/how-trade-war-with-us-can-hurt-china-and-economies-including-australia-20180706-p4zpv2.html (accessed 2/9/18).
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