Assignment Brief
You are to write a 2500-word report on the financial position and performance of Waitrose Plc UK. To do this you need the latest and previous year annual reports of the company.
(i) Introduction (20% marks)
You should provide a short introduction to the organisation (its key features), its current financial position (key metrics). Then identify the key resources of the organisation, before providing a brief comment on the challenges it faces in meeting its objectives in its markets.
(ii) Evaluate the financial statements and other financial information relating to Waitrose Plc UK to assess how the company has performed over the past three years taking into account any problems or opportunities identified in (i). This should be an interpretation of the ratios NOT the calculation of the ratios (35%)
(iii) Discuss how the listed company’s performance over the past two years compares with one of it’s key competitors. Your answer should include a common size statement and some discussion as to whether the competitors identified faced the same opportunities and problems that retail company faced. How these were are reflected in the competitor’s financial statements (30%)
(iv) Conclusion – Discuss whether in your opinion the company the board should back a new joint venture with the listed company. You need to draw on your analysis discussed in (i), (ii) & (iii) above (15%)
Unit learning outcomes
- Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding:
Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding and broad knowledge of financial statements and the concepts of corporate finance and investment appraisal in order to evaluate management decisions against strategic corporate objectives. - Demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
Analyze financial statements and evaluate management decisions through the application of relevant financial tools and techniques to assess their validity in achieving strategic corporate objective