Harvard Case - Amazon vs. Walmart: Using Financial Ratios to Compare Companies
"Amazon vs. Walmart: Using Financial Ratios to Compare Companies" Harvard business case study is written by Mitchell Stein, Vaughan S. Radcliffe, Vineet Yagnik. It deals with the challenges in the field of Accounting. The case study is 12 page(s) long and it was first published on : Mar 11, 2024
At Fern Fort University, we recommend a comprehensive financial analysis of Amazon and Walmart, using a combination of financial ratios and other key performance indicators (KPIs) to understand their relative strengths and weaknesses. This analysis will help investors, analysts, and business leaders make informed decisions about these two retail giants.
2. Background
This case study examines the financial performance of Amazon and Walmart, two of the world's largest retailers, using financial ratios to compare their performance across various business areas. The case highlights the importance of using financial ratios to assess a company's profitability, liquidity, solvency, and efficiency.
The main protagonists of this case study are the investors, analysts, and business leaders who need to make informed decisions about Amazon and Walmart based on their financial performance.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
We will use the following frameworks to analyze the case study:
- Financial Statement Analysis: We will analyze the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement of both companies to understand their financial health and performance.
- Ratio Analysis: We will use various financial ratios to assess the profitability, liquidity, solvency, and efficiency of both companies.
- Industry Benchmarking: We will compare the financial ratios of Amazon and Walmart to their respective industry averages to understand their relative performance.
Financial Statement Analysis:
- Balance Sheet: Analyzing the balance sheet will reveal the asset composition, liabilities, and equity of both companies. This analysis will help understand their capital structure, debt levels, and overall financial health.
- Income Statement: The income statement will show the revenue, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and net income of both companies. This analysis will help understand their profitability and revenue generation capabilities.
- Cash Flow Statement: This statement will show the cash inflows and outflows of both companies, providing insights into their cash management and liquidity.
Ratio Analysis:
- Profitability Ratios: We will analyze profitability ratios such as gross profit margin, operating profit margin, and net profit margin to understand the profitability of each company.
- Liquidity Ratios: Liquidity ratios like current ratio and quick ratio will help assess the ability of both companies to meet their short-term obligations.
- Solvency Ratios: Debt-to-equity ratio, times interest earned ratio, and debt-to-asset ratio will reveal the financial risk and solvency of both companies.
- Efficiency Ratios: Inventory turnover, days sales outstanding, and asset turnover ratios will help assess the efficiency of both companies in managing their assets and operations.
Industry Benchmarking:
We will compare the financial ratios of Amazon and Walmart to their respective industry averages to understand their relative performance. This will provide valuable insights into their competitive position and areas where they might be outperforming or lagging behind their peers.
4. Recommendations
- Conduct a comprehensive financial analysis: This analysis should include a thorough review of financial statements, calculation of key financial ratios, and comparison to industry benchmarks.
- Analyze the impact of growth strategies: Evaluate the impact of Amazon's aggressive growth strategy on its profitability and financial health, and compare it to Walmart's more conservative approach.
- Assess the risks and opportunities: Identify the key risks and opportunities facing both companies, particularly in areas like e-commerce, logistics, and international expansion.
- Develop a clear understanding of their business models: Analyze the differences in their business models, including their pricing strategies, customer acquisition strategies, and supply chain management.
- Evaluate their investment strategies: Compare their investment strategies in areas like technology, infrastructure, and acquisitions.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
- Core competencies and consistency with mission: The recommendations align with the core competencies and mission of both companies, focusing on their strengths and areas for improvement.
- External customers and internal clients: The recommendations consider the needs of both external customers and internal clients, aiming to improve customer satisfaction and employee engagement.
- Competitors: The recommendations take into account the competitive landscape and identify areas where both companies can differentiate themselves from their competitors.
- Attractiveness - quantitative measures: The recommendations are supported by quantitative measures such as financial ratios, return on investment (ROI), and net present value (NPV), providing a clear basis for decision-making.
All assumptions are explicitly stated, including the need for accurate and reliable financial data, the availability of industry benchmarks, and the potential impact of external factors on both companies' performance.
6. Conclusion
A thorough financial analysis of Amazon and Walmart, using financial ratios and other key performance indicators, will provide valuable insights into their relative strengths and weaknesses. This analysis will help investors, analysts, and business leaders make informed decisions about these two retail giants.
7. Discussion
Other alternatives not selected include:
- Focusing solely on revenue growth: This approach might not provide a complete picture of the companies' financial health and profitability.
- Ignoring industry benchmarks: This approach would limit the ability to assess the companies' competitive position and relative performance.
Key risks and assumptions include:
- Data accuracy: The accuracy of financial data is crucial for a reliable analysis.
- Industry changes: Changes in the retail industry could impact the performance of both companies.
- Economic conditions: Economic downturns or other external factors could affect the performance of both companies.
8. Next Steps
The following steps should be taken to implement the recommendations:
- Gather and analyze financial data: Collect financial data from both companies' annual reports and other publicly available sources.
- Calculate financial ratios: Calculate key financial ratios for both companies and compare them to industry benchmarks.
- Develop a comprehensive report: Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the findings of the analysis and providing recommendations for both companies.
- Present the findings: Present the findings of the analysis to investors, analysts, and business leaders.
This timeline should be adjusted based on the specific needs and resources of the stakeholders involved.
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Case Description
In 2021, an investment management firm analyst needed to convince his portfolio manager that technology companies such as Amazon.com Inc. (Amazon) could have a strong investment thesis since they improved upon existing business models. To make his argument, he used financial ratio analysis to compare one of the portfolio manager's favourite companies, Walmart Inc. (Walmart), with a more technologically focused competitor in the retail space, Amazon. By analyzing the two companies using ratio analysis to highlight their similarities, the analyst sought to show his portfolio manager that Amazon was not only a technology company, but a better version of Walmart.
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