Suppose you are analyzing two firms in the same industry.Firm A has a profit margin of 10% versus a profit margin of 8% for Firm B.Firm A's total debt to total capital ratio [measured as (Short-term debt + Long-term debt)/(Debt + Preferred stock + Common equity)] is 70% versus one of 20% for Firm B.Based only on these two facts,you cannot reach a conclusion as to which firm is better managed,because the difference in debt,not better management,could be the cause of Firm A's higher profit margin.

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The Answer of Suppose you are analyzing two firms in the same industry.Firm A has a profit margin of 10% versus a profit margin of 8% for Firm B.Firm A's total debt to total capital ratio [measured as (Short-term debt + Long-term debt)/(Debt + Preferred stock + Common equity)] is 70% versus one of 20% for Firm B.Based only on these two facts,you cannot reach a conclusion as to which firm is better managed,because the difference in debt,not better management,could be the cause of Firm A's higher profit margin.

Suppose You Are Analyzing Two Firms in the Same Industry