Using the Internet
and Strayer databases, choose one (1) publically traded firm, and research the
financial successes and challenges that the chosen firm has encountered. Select
financial statements the firm has released within the past three (3) years, and
study them carefully. 

Write a three (3)
page paper in which you:

1. Use data from within
   the past three (3) years to identify the profit margin, debt to asset ratio,
   price-earnings (PE) ratio, inventory turnover, current ratio, and times interest
   earned for the firm that you have selected.
2. Analyze significant
   financial trends of the chosen firm. Examine whether it appears that the firm
   will achieve financial success throughout the next five (5) years, or whether
   there appear to be challenges that will hinder the firm’s financial growth.
   Provide a rationale for your response.
3. Imagine that you are
   the manager of the chosen firm. Summarize the major steps that you would take to
   either improve the firm or to maintain the firm’s current level of financial
   success. Explain the main reasons why you believe your approach would be
   effective.
4. Use at least three
   (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not
   qualify as academic resources. However, you may use data sources, such as Yahoo
   Finance.

Your assignment must
follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double
  spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all
  sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check
  with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page
  containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s
  name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are
  not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course
learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Identify the
  fundamental components of finance and the importance of each in the financial
  environment.
• Describe the key
  financial statements used in a business and how each is analyzed and influences
  financial decision making.
• Explain the concepts
  of time value of money, present and future value, and how they influence
  financial decisions
• Describe the key
  elements of the securities markets, and how the markets drive financial
  transactions, decision making, and risk analysis.
• Use technology and
  information resources to research issues in finance.
• Write clearly and
  concisely about finance using proper writing mechanics.