Widget Co and Tools Inc -Which of the Following Statements Is the Most Plausible Explanation

question 76

Multiple Choice

Widget Co. and Tools Inc. both operate in the same industry. They are capital-intensive companies producing widgets. Below are selected data:
$\begin{array}{lll}&\text { Widget Co. }&\text { Tools Inc. }\\\text { Net operating assets/common equity } & 1.37 & 1.53 \\\text { Net operating profit margin } & 19 \% & 21 \% \\\text { Income tax rate } & 47 \% & 28 \% \\\text { Revenues/net operating assets } & 0.81 & 0.61 \\\text { EBIT/revenues } & 38 \% & 32 \%\end{array}$
-Which of the following statements is the most plausible explanation of the difference in observed net operating profit margins?

• A)Widget Co's lower financial leverage
• B)Widget Co uses LIFO and Tools uses FIFO
• C)Widget Co's lower tax rate
• D)Widget Co's net operating asset turnover

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Definitions:

Opportunity Cost

The relinquishment of possible rewards from other opportunities when one is selected.

Opportunity Cost

Refers to the benefits one foregoes by choosing one option over another, highlighting the trade-offs inherent in decision-making processes.

Bushel

A unit of volume that is used in the United States for measures of agricultural produce, such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Exchange Rate

The price of one country's currency in terms of another currency, determining how much foreign currency can be bought with a unit of the domestic currency or vice versa.