Which of the Following Statements Is CORRECT

question 49

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

• A) If two firms differ only in their use of debt¾i.e., they have identical assets, sales, operating costs, and tax rates¾but one firm has a higher debt ratio, the firm that uses more debt will have a higher profit margin on sales.
• B) If one firm has a higher debt ratio than another, we can be certain that the firm with the higher debt ratio will have the lower TIE ratio, as that ratio depends entirely on the amount of debt a firm uses.
• C) A firm's use of debt will have no effect on its profit margin on sales.
• D) If two firms differ only in their use of debt¾i.e., they have identical assets, sales, operating costs, interest rates on their debt, and tax rates¾but one firm has a higher debt ratio, the firm that uses more debt will have a lower profit margin on sales.
• E) The debt ratio as it is generally calculated makes an adjustment for the use of assets leased under operating leases, so the debt ratios of firms that lease different percentages of their assets are still comparable.

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Definitions:

Annual Depreciation

The amount of an asset’s cost allocated each year over its useful life, reflecting its consumption, wear and tear, or obsolescence.

Useful Life

The estimated duration of time over which an asset is expected to be functional and contribute to a company's operations.

Revenue Expenditures

Short-term expenses incurred during normal business operations that are charged against revenue in the period they are incurred.

Capital Expenditures

Funds used by a company to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets such as property, plants, buildings, technology, or equipment.