FIN - Case 7-10 SPECIALITY RETAILER and Case 6-4 TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION

Case 7-10 SPECIALITY RETAILER – DEBT VIEW

In this case, we review the debt of several specialty retail stores. The companies reviewed and the year-end dates are as follows:
1. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
(52-week fiscal year ended January 29,2011; 52-week fiscal year ended January 30, 2010; 52-week fiscal year ended January 31, 2009)
‘‘Abercrombie * Fitch Co… is a specialty retailer that operates stores and websites selling casual sportswear apparel.’’ 10-K
2. Limited Brands, Inc.
(52-week fiscal year ended January 29,2011; 52-week fiscal year ended January 30, 2010; 52-week fiscal year ended January 31, 2009)
‘‘We operate in the highly competitive specialty retail business.’’ 10-K
3. Gap Inc.
(52-week fiscal year ended January 29,2011; 52-week fiscal year ended January 30, 2010; 52-week fiscal year ended January 31, 2009) ‘‘We are a global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products.’’ 10-K

Required
a. Comment on the relative times interest earned between the companies.
b. Comment on the relative fixed charge coverage for each company.
c. Comment on the relative times interest earned vs. the fixed charge coverage. Why is the times interest earned materially higher than the fixed charge coverage?
d. Why is the debt/equity materially more than the debt ratio?
e. Considering the debt ratio, comment on the relative debt position of these companies.
f. Why is the debt to tangible net worth usually higher than the debt/equity ratio?

Case 6-4 TECHNOLOGY

“”3M is a diversified technology company with a global presence in the following businesses: Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics; and Electro and Communications. 3M is among the leading manufacturers of products for many of the markets it serves. Most 3M products involve expertise in product development, manufacturing and marketing, and are subject to competition from products manufactured and sold by other technologically oriented companies”