FIN650 Financial Analysis and Proposal AssignmentThroughout this course, you will prepare a comprehensive financial analysis and proposal (excluding tables, figures, and addenda) that will demonstrate your understanding of key financial concepts, strategies, and practices. After selecting a company to profile, you will construct a comparative financial analysis of your selected companys financial position with that of a prime competitor, for example, Amazon and Netflix, Microsoft and Oracle, or Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Following the nine-step assessment process detailed in Assessing a Companys Future Financial Health, your financial analysis and proposal will be composed of four separate component assignments in Topics 2, 4, 6, and 8.
Financial Analysis and Proposal Assignment: Overall
In this topic, you will select a publicly-traded company and a chief competitor and submit both names to the instructor for approval by the end of the topic. Note: You will need to have this step finalized before you can complete the assignment detailed below, so it is in your best interest to select and obtain approval as soon as possible.
In your selection process, consider only a company and competitor that are both publicly-traded and which enjoy extensive analytical coverage to ensure access to sufficient financial data to complete this four-part assignment successfully.
As you develop your analysis, research the market at each step for relevant data on your chosen company/competitor, including financial reports and market information. Disclose all assumptions you set forth (e.g., revenue growth projections, expense controls) and provide supporting rationale and quantifiable evidence behind those assumptions. As your financial analysis and proposal develops over the span of the course, you will synthesize the analytical and research data and outcomes of the nine-step assessment process in order to assess 1) the long-term financial health of the chosen company, and 2) the suitability in recommending the company (versus the competitor) as a long-term investment opportunity.
Financial Analysis and Proposal Component 1: Analysis of the Fundamentals
For this assignment, apply the first two steps of the nine-step assessment process detailed in Assessing a Companys Future Financial Health (i.e., Step 1: Strategy and Step 2: Revenue Outlook) to compose a comprehensive overview of the company/competitor pairing youve selected and which has been approved by your course instructor. Use the Analysis of the Fundamentals resource provided in the topic materials to present your findings as per below:
1. Using the most recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 10-K reports for your company and chosen competitor, provide a brief yet succinct comparative analysis for a) the business overall, b) products and services, c) customers, d) goals, e) strategies, f) market positions, g) general risk factors, h) quantitative and qualitative market risk factors, i) competitors, j) competitive technology, k) regulatory considerations, and l) operating characteristics. Use the Analysis of the Fundamentals resource provided in the topic materials to present your findings.
2. Download most recent annual financial statements for your company and chosen competitor (i.e., balance sheets, income statements, and statement of cash flows). Perform a ratio analysis on the current financial reports, interpret the results, and provide a brief discussion regarding the overall revenue outlook. To successfully complete this assignment, please show all ratio analysis calculations.
Note: You will be required to re-submit this assignment, revised to incorporate all instructor feedback, along with the other three component assignments as one comprehensive submission in Topic 8. To save time later in the course, consider addressing any feedback soon after this assignment has been graded and returned to you.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
RUBRIC
Financial Analysis and Proposal Component 1
1
Unsatisfactory
0.00% 2
Less than Satisfactory
74.00% 3
Satisfactory
79.00% 4
Good
87.00% 5
Excellent
100.00%
70.0 %Content
70.0 %Incorporation of the Required Set of Assessment Elements and Subsection Data The required set of assessment elements and subsection data is not present. The required set of assessment elements and subsection data is incorporated, but the information provided is incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise deficient. The required set of assessment elements and subsection data is incorporated, but minimal detail or support is provided for one or more components. The required set of assessment elements and subsection data is present, and is incorporated in full. The submission encompasses essential details and provides appropriate support. The required set of assessment elements and subsection data is present and comprehensive. The submission further incorporates analysis of supporting evidence insightfully and provides specific examples with relevance. Level of detail is appropriate.
20.0 %Organization and Effectiven
7.0 %Thesis Development and Purpose Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear. Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose. Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
8.0 %Argument Logic and Construction Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources. Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility. Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative. Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.
5.0 %Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used. Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied. Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are employed. Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of speech. Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
10.0 %Format
5.0 %Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent. Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style. All format elements are correct.
5.0 %Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style) Sources are not documented. Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct. Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.
100 %Total Weightage