Finance and Asset Management Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Finance and Asset Management Report - Essay Example 2012, 2011 and 2011. This performance evaluation has been conducted by using ratio analysis which has been the most effective performance evaluation tool in terms of past performance trends. The comparison of the financial performance of Great Portland is also made in collaboration with one of the industry competitor named as Songbird over the same financial periods. Following are the five broader areas of ratio analysis namely profitability, liquidity, efficiency, solvency and investment under which the performance evaluation has been conducted (Brigham et al, 2008). Profitability Analysis The profitability picture of Great Portland provides a better view if the past performance is taken into consideration. It can be observed that the net profit margin of Portland has improved massively as it just started some momentum in the year 2010 (Great Portland Estates, 2012). However, in the year 2011, the firm bounced back on significant note and continued its better performance in the year 2012 as well. Very similar trend can also be observed if operating profit margin is taken into consideration, which started peaking in the year 2010. However, operating profit margin for Great Portland has been on an increasing trend. If these two ratios of Great Portland are compared with Songbird, it can be noted that Songbird was performing well on these notes until 2012 when it drowned into losses (Songbird Estates plc, 2011). However, operating profit margin is still positive for Songbird in the last year but it has declined severely in the last three years. If return generated by the assets of the firm, are taken into consideration, Great Portland has improved its performance in this area as well such that from 13% ROA, it has increased to the ROA of 17% which is a very delightful sign for the company until 2012 when it declined to 7.9%. Likewise, return on shareholders’ equity has also performed well as it has increased from negative 17%% to positive 23%, which is a t remendous indicator that the equity of the company is making good profits until 2012 when it reduced down to 12%. Conversely, these two ratios for Songbird have again showed sluggish performance over the past three years as their performance in terms of both ROA and ROE has shifted into negative zone, which is an alarming sine for Songbird. Ratios 2012 2012 2011 2011 2010 2010 Great Portland Songbird Great Portland Songbird Great Portland Songbird Profitability Net Profit Margin 339.61% -33.47% 407.68% 146.40% 349.89% 63.57% Operating Profit Margin 378.56% 82.53% 432.13% 93.36% 404.92% 116.46% Return on Assets 7.90% -1.37% 17.05% 6.86% 13.17% 3.28% Return on Equity 12.53% -5.09% 23.38% 24.00% 17.84% 16.99% Liquidity Analysis The liquidity analysis of both the companies is conducted rather in a brief manner as only one ratio has been selected for this purpose, which is current ratio. Current ratio mainly depicts the amount of current assets available in order to pay off $1 current li ability of the company (Watson, 2009). If the current ratio of Great Portland is taken into consideration, it can be noted that this figure has been observed consistently on a declining trend such that the current ratio of the company was 2.59, which depicts that the company had only ?2.59 in order to pay o

Gender Inequality in the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gender Inequality in the United States - Essay Example More than 50 percent law graduates are women but less than 25 percent are law firm partners. Women gets more than 70 percent of masters, doctoral and professional degrees collectively but holds less than 20 percent of full time positions as university professors. US is ranked 85th in the world on the basis of share women hold in national legislative body. Only 9 percent of the largest cities in US have female mayors. He further mentions with grief that out of 500 fortune companies more than 25 percent had no female executive officers. Even in the film industry only one out of 4 female nominations for the best director won the Oscar, whereas; 77 percent of Oscars were gone to men. Williams further highlighted women as higher scorers on the scale of various leadership traits designed by Pew Center study, Social and Demographic Survey. In his view; despite of better grades, traits, potential and creativity the conditions of women are diminishing day by day in every industry and sector o f US. Pozner’s View Jennifer Pozner, founder of Women in Media and News, is a feminist who has channelized all her education, expertise and energy in enlightening the status of women especially in media. She is of the view that; women are treated as â€Å"second class citizens† in TV channels. ... eep trenches settled by male dominated society, though women have gained a humongous visibility in the media but still they lack those decision making positions which enjoy the authority of crafting people’s mind. Pozner said; â€Å"Control of the media is the single most important issue of our time, the corporate-controlled media shape and inform our collective ideas about people, politics, and public policy, the corporate-dominated mass media are the key to why our fast-moving culture is so slow to change, stereotypes are so persistent, and the power structure is so entrenched† Pozner believes that Media has the power to change minds and attitudes bus since the decision making power resides within the masculine community thus; males decide what to inject in the minds of people. The vibrant visibility of females in the news room of TV channels and increased female reporters and correspondent corps is a buzz view created to portray that there exist no ceilings for women and women are given equivalence in all the industries and sectors. To Pozner, media world is a â€Å"big lie† and it is spreading a false feminist death syndrome by creating an impression that women are getting what they deserve to get which is unfortunately not the case. Russo’s View Russo said in his speech; â€Å"We're so busy putting out fires right now, that we don't have the time to talk to each other and strategize and plan for the next wave, and the next day, and next month and the next week and the next year. And, we're going to have to find the time to do that in the next few months. And, we have to commit ourselves to doing that. And then, after we kick the shit out of this disease, we're all going to be alive to kick the shit out of this system, so that this never happens again.† According