Suppose you are analyzing two firms in the same industry. Firm A has a profit margin of 10% versus a margin of 8% for Firm B. Firm A's total debt to total capital ratio [measured as (Short-term debt + Long-term debt) / (Debt + Preferred stock + Common equity) ] is 70% versus one of 20% for Firm B. Based only on these two facts, you cannot reach a conclusion as to which firm is better managed, because the difference in debt, not better management, could be the cause of Firm A's higher profit margin.

a. Trueb. False

Question

Business

Fisher Kane

20 February, 11:15

Suppose you are analyzing two firms in the same industry. Firm A has a profit margin of 10% versus a margin of 8% for Firm B. Firm A's total debt to total capital ratio [measured as (Short-term debt + Long-term debt) / (Debt + Preferred stock + Common equity) ] is 70% versus one of 20% for Firm B. Based only on these two facts, you cannot reach a conclusion as to which firm is better managed, because the difference in debt, not better management, could be the cause of Firm A's higher profit margin.

a. Trueb. False

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Answers (1)

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Myla Moody · Answer 1

The answer is false

Explanation:

Base on the scenario been described in the question, comparing the two firm and saying there will not reach into a conclusion to which firm is better manage is false, this is because the difference in debt is a result of better management, and this could be the cause of Firm A's higher profit margin. So the claim was false