Reference no: EM132506494

Locate and post a screen shot of a Balance Sheet from the investor relations section of the website from the latest fiscal year for one of the following companies:

1. FedEx
2. Target

Pick a Balance Sheet line item from the following list:

1. Accounts Receivable
2. Inventory
3. Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E)
4. Accounts Payable
5. Long-Term Debt
6. Total Equity
7. Retained Earnings

Question 1: What does this line item measure and why is it important item for Management to understand this number?

Question 2: From the Balance Sheet, identify the Current Year and the Previous Year closing amounts for your line item. Share these with the class using a data table similar to the below:

Jack's Toy Shop

(In thousands)                 2018                 2017

Inventory                  $336.2                      $304.5

Answer the following questions:

1. Has the amount for the line item increased or decreased, and by how much (dollar and/or percentage)?
2. Is this a "good" thing or a "bad" thing for this company?
3. What might this mean for the organization?
4. What might management do to improve this line item?