Whitbread PLC Financial Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Whitbread PLC Financial Summary - Essay Example This report aims to yield a closer look at the financial performance of UK's leading hospitality company Whitbread Plc with the aim of conducting a financial SWOT analysis. Financial ratios are grouped into five distinct categories, each showing a different aspect of a company's financial operations. These are profitability ratios, financial leverage ratios, liquidity/solvency ratios, efficiency ratios, and investor ratios (Fraser and Ormiston 2004). Profitability ratios measure the ability of the company to generate income from its investments less the costs incurred (Keown et al 2005). In this analysis, gross profit margin, net profit margin, and asset turnover will be used. Referring to Appendix 1, the profitability of Whitbread has significantly improved from 2007-2008 as indicated by the increase in gross profit margin and net profit margin. In 2007, it can be seen that 83% of the company's sales is recorded as gross profit margin while this figure jumped to almost 85% in the following year. This higher ratio is reflective of the company's efforts of sourcing out and producing less costly inventories to reduce cost of goods sold. Furthermore, net profit margin almost doubled from 0.24 in 2007 to 0.44 in 2008. This reflects a very remarkable performance as it shows the cost efficiency of the company by its enhanced ability of turning revenues into net income. In 2008, net income accounts for 44% of sales from 24% in the previous year. The rise in net income signals the company's ability to manage its resources more economically. 2. Leverage or Gearing Financial leverage ratios provide an indication of the long-term solvency of the firm. They indicate the extent of non-owner claims on the firm's profits as well as the firm's operating capability to meet its obligation (Keown et al 2005). Appendix 2 shows the computed gearing ratios of Whitbread in 2007 and 2008. As with the profitability ratios, the business organization's resource structure has significantly improved. As opposed to the recorded debt to asset ratio of 0.62 in 2007, this ratio declined to 0.48 in 2008. These ratios indicate that Whitbread has been dependent on debt as a primary source of financing in 2007 accounting for 62% of its assets. However, this changed in the following year when debt only comprises 48% of its resources. It should be noted that debt is seen as a more risky financial resource as it entails the regular payment of interest and face value at the end of its life. The shift from debt to equity therefore signals lower financial risk for Whitbread. However, this improvement in resource structure fails to reflect in the company's interest coverage ratio which measures the proportion of interest expense to the business organization's income before tax. In 2007, this interest coverage ratio is 8.2 while it dropped to 3.3 in 2008. It should be noted though that in both years, the company has enough financial resource to cover its interest obligation. 3. Liquidity Liquidity or solvency ratios are used as measures of the company's ability to finance its short-term obligations by its cash and near cash items (Keown et al 2005). Appendix 3 shows the computed liquidity ratios of Whitbread in 2007 and 2008. The business organization is in danger in terms of liquidity. In both years, the company's current assets are meager compared to its immediate short term liabilities. If these current liabilities become due immediately, Whitbread will never be able to pay off all its short-term creditors. Furthermore, its liquidity ratios are deteriorating evidenced by the marked decline