"Analysts Look for Red Flags in Financial Statements That May

question 27

Multiple Choice

"Analysts look for red flags in financial statements that may signal financial trouble." Which of the following is a "red flag" suggesting that a company may be in trouble?

• A)a decline in days' sales in inventory
• B)a decrease in dividend payout ratio from year to year
• C)a reduction in the debt ratio
• D)net cash flow from operating activities is consistently lower than net income

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Definitions:

Retained Earnings

The portion of a company's profits that is held or retained and not paid out as dividends to shareholders, often used for reinvestment in the business, debt reduction, or share repurchases.

Liabilities

Financial obligations or debts owed by a company to external parties.

Contributed Capital

Contributed capital, also known as paid-in capital, represents the funds raised by issuing stock directly from the corporation.

Common Stock Dividend

A payment made by a corporation to its shareholders, usually in the form of cash or additional shares, as a portion of the profits.