Suppose selected comparative statement data for the giant bookseller Barnes & Noble are presented here. All balance sheet data are as of the end of the fiscal year (in millions). 2020 2019
Net sales $5,200 $5,500
Cost of goods sold 3,484 3,830
Net income 78 123
Accounts receivable 82 103
Inventory 1,146 1,262
Total assets 2,990 3,510
Total common stockholders’ equity 992 1,031

Required:
Compute the following ratios for 2020.

Profit margin = net profit / total sales = $78 / $5,200 = 1.5%  

Asset turnover = total sales / average total assets = $5,200 / ($2,990 + $3,510) = 1.6

Return on assets = net income / average total assets = $78 / $3,250 = 2.4%  

Return on common stockholders’ equity =  net income / average stockholders' equity = $78 / ($992 + $1,031) = 7.71%  

Gross profit rate = gross profit / total sales = $1,716 / $5,200 = 33%

1. avoid them

2. a talk with them

3. ask someone you trust

4. ignore

5. call police