Initial Assessment: An initial look at the ratio analysis reveals that the annual sales-growth rate
has been holding around 15%. This is perhaps the only good news from the analysis. A
performance discontinuity makes its appearance in FY 2000 as a drop in operating margin. This
was a result of a 21% increase in production costs and expenses and a 20% increase in admin and
selling expenses. There was also an inexplicable 95% increase in inventory. This jump in
inventory and operating expenses appears to have been financed through debt, as the debt/equity
and debt/total capital ratios increased during this period. Since the sales growth rate has held
steady, there has been no draw down on the excess inventory, thus tying up considerable capital.
The ratio analysis also shows that both the current and quick ratios indicate that there may be
cash-flow problems in the near future. The company appears to be experiencing a sharp
reduction in efficiency, and to be financing that inefficiency through debt.