Historically, the chemical industry has operated in a competitive environment, which is not anticipated to change. Dow experiences significant competitions in each of its operating segments as well as in each of the geographic areas in which it operates. Dow competes globally on the foundation of quality, technology, price, and customer service and operates in an integrated manufacturing environment. Basic raw materials are processed through many stages to produce many products that are sold as finished goods at different points in the process. Dow has two major raw material streams that feed the production of the finished goods which are chlorine-based and hydrocarbon based raw materials. (Dow Chemical Company, n.d.)
Business Environment
The business environment of Dow is one that has strategically positioned itself to withstand the ever-changing forces of economic, social, political and technological factors it faces daily. Dow consistently identifies opportunities and new technologies before its competition which stimulates their industry-leader position. (1)
Financial Health
Dow has great financial strength. Their sensible financial discipline has proven beneficial in recent global economic challenges and has actually helped position it for future growth. The recent global economic challenges forced Dow to take steps towards strengthening and diversifying its portfolio. The company has come out on the other side of the challenges with a portfolio that is better equipped for economic uncertainties. (Dow Chemical Company, n.d.)
The Essay on Economic and Financial Committee
This letter is to address the widening gap between the rich and poor in developing nations, and how globalization policies create a situation that lessens that gap. In many developing countries there is simply a poor class and a rich class. Developed nations are characterized by the presence of a middle class. The middle class bridges the gap between rich and poor, and when developing nations can ...
During 2011, Dow:
* had double-digit gains in revenue and earnings per share * posted record revenues at a Company level, as well as in emerging geographies * introduced “game-changing” investments and partnerships that will allow the Company to capture more demand in the world’s fastest growing regions * recognized a stronger than ever before R&D innovation pipeline Analyzing the data attained from Dow’s 2011 financial statements confirm the Company’s financial heath and sustainability.
Dow’s Liquidity ratio is a follows:
Current Assets = 23,442 million
Current Liabilities = 13,634 million
Liquidity ratio = 23,422/13,634 = 1.72
Dow has $1.72 of current assets for every $1.00 of current liability. The current ratio should be at a 2 or greater to be considered a safe risk; however, Dow is a reputable global organization accepting the investment to be a safe risk. Dow’s Acid-test ratio is a follows:
Cash = 5,444 million
Accounts Receivable = 4,900 million
Measurable Securities = 7,057 million
Current Liabilities = 13,634 million
Acid-test ratio = 4,444+4,900+7,057/13,634 = 1.28
Dow has 1.28 acid-test ratio. The ratio needs to be between a 0.05 and 1.0 to be satisfactory. The acid-test ratio determines whether an organization has enough short-term assets to cover immediate liabilities without selling inventory. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21) Dow’s ratio is just slightly above 1.0, allowing it to be considered satisfactory.
Dow’s Debt to owners’ ratio is as follows:
Total Liabilities = 27,476 million
Owners’ Equity = 22,281 million
Debt to owners’ ratio = 27,476/22,281 = 1.23 or 123%
The debt to owners’ ratio should be anything 100% or less. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21) Dow is just over; however, other competitors in the industry have similar ratios signifying debt financing in the chemical industry is more acceptable and commonplace. Dow’s Return on sales is as follows:
Net Income = 3,200 million
Net Sales = 52,985 million
The Essay on Role of current liabilities and liquidity in accounting
A liability refers to the present obligation to an organisation following a past transaction and which is expected to be paid from cash or other near cash forms. It is simply put as that which the company owes others. Current liabilities are one of the types of liabilities in an organisation the other being longterm liabilities. Current liabilities refers to those liabilities that are payable ...
Return on sales = 3,200/52,985 = 0.06 or 6%
Return on sales for Dow is slightly lower than its researched competitors in producing income from sales.
Competitors
As previously stated, the chemical industry is a highly competitive environment. Two of Dow’s leading competitors include BASF and DuPont. BASF is the world’s leading chemical company with about 111,000 employees and just under 370 production sites worldwide. BASF serve customers and partners in almost every country in the world. In 2011, BASF posted sales of $73.5 billion. (BASF web site) BASF’s Liquidity ratio is a follows:
Current Assets = 27,088 million
Current Liabilities = 16,447 million
Liquidity ratio = 27,088/16,477 = 1.64
BASF has $1.64 of current assets for every $1.00 of current liability. The current ratio should be at a 2 or greater to be considered a safe risk; however, BASF is a reputable global organization considering the investment to be a safe risk. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21) BASF’s Acid-test ratio is a follows:
Cash = 2,048 million
Accounts Receivable = 10,886 million
Current Liabilities = 16,477 million
Acid-test ratio = 2,048+10,886/16,477 =. 78
BASF has a .78 acid-test ratio. The ratio needs to be between a 0.05 and 1.0 to be satisfactory. The acid-test ratio determines whether an organization has enough short-term assets to cover immediate liabilities without selling inventory. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21) BASF’s ratio is in line and right where it should be; furthermore, considered satisfactory in regards to this measure. BASF’s Debt to owners’ ratio is as follows:
Total Liabilities = 35,790 million
Owner’s Equity = 25,385 million
Debt to owners’ ratio = 35,790/25,385 = 1.41 or 141%
The Debt to owners’ ratio should be anything 100% or less. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21) BASF is just over; however, other competitors in the industry have similar ratios signifying debt financing in the chemical industry is more acceptable. BASF’s Return on sales is as follows:
Net Income = 6,188 million
Net Sales = 73,497 million
The Term Paper on Ratio Analysis Of Financal Statements
The Company has been set up with the primary objective of producing and selling ordinary portland cement. The finest quality of cement is available for all types of customers whether for dams, canals, industrial structures, highways, commercial or residential needs using latest state of the art dry process cement manufacturing process. A longtime leader in the cement manufacturing industry, Fauji ...
Return on sales = 6,188/73,497 = 0.08 or 8%
Return on sales is higher than Dow’s and lower than DuPont. Another strong competitor is DuPont. DuPont is a world leader in market-driven innovation and science. DuPont brings science and engineering to the global marketplace through innovative products, materials and services which enable their customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. (DuPont.com) DuPont’s Liquidity ratio is a follows:
Current Assets = 18,058 million
Current Liabilities = 11,185 million
Liquidity ratio = 18,058/11,185 = 1.61
DuPont has $1.61 of current assets for every $1.00 of current liability. The current ratio should be at a 2 or greater to be considered a safe risk; however, DuPont is a reputable global organization permitting the investment as a safe risk. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21)
DuPont’s Acid-test ratio is a follows:
Cash = 3,586 million
Accounts Receivable = 4,598 million
Measurable Securities = 433 million
Current Liabilities = 11,185 million
Acid-test ratio = 3,586+4,598+433/11,185 = .77
DuPont has a 0.77 acid-test ratio. The ratio needs to be between a 0.05 and 1.0 to be satisfactory. The acid-test ratio determines whether an organization has enough short-term assets to cover immediate liabilities without selling inventory. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21) DuPont’s ratio is satisfactory.
DuPont’s Debt to owners’ ratio is as follows:
Total Liabilities = 39,899 million
Owner’s Equity = 8,593 million
Debt to owners’ ratio = 39,899/8,593 = 4.64 or 464%
The Debt to owners’ ratio should be anything 100% or less. (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010, p. 20-21) DuPont is significantly over this desired range at 464%, indicating that the significantly financed based on borrowed funds that must be paid back. In comparing this ratio to industry competitors, DuPont is still considerably over. DuPont’s Return on sales is as follows:
Net Income = 3,474 million
Net Sales = 37,961 million
Return on sales = 3,474/37.961 = 0.09 or 9%
DuPont’s return on sales is strong when comparing DuPont to Dow and BASF.
Technological Advantages
Dow’s innovation sets them apart from the competition on numerous levels. Dow is the world’s: * largest and most experienced ethylene and chlorine producer * largest producer of chlorine and caustic
The Essay on Kodak Million Company Cash
Eastman Kodak Co. is suspending its $2 billion stock repurchase program in order to reduce debt and free up cash for possible acquisitions, the company said Friday. The decision also will help return the company's debt-to-capital ratio to about 40 percent, in line with goals the company announced Dec. 12. The world's biggest photo film maker, based in Rochester, N. Y. , was quick to point out that ...
* leader in the production of purified ethylene oxide
As of December 31, 2011, Dow owned a total of 18,120 patents world-wide. These patents protect the results of its research. The company had revenue related to patents and technology royalties of $437 million in 2011.
Today, Dow’s innovation efforts further supports a new level world-wide growth, generates strong cash flows and enables them to commercialize or bring the technologies to the market. (Dow Chemical Company, n.d.) Dow’s innovations from 2011 include: * DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle – a solar panel which aesthetically looks like a shingle for the housing industry. * PASCAL Technology – a new polyurethane insulating solution to boost energy efficiency in appliances. * EVOQUE Pre-Composite Polymer Technology – allows paint manufactures to maximize hiding efficiencies. Globalization
In an effort to satisfy the demands of a growing world, Dow is putting their innovations to work on every continent. In 2011, 32% of sales were gained from emerging geographies. Dow’s increasing investment into developed and emerging regions of the globe is empowering them to take advantage and capitalize on growth where it is happening. (Dow Chemical Company, n.d.)
Benchmarking
Dow’s vast and well-balanced portfolio enables the company to face the complex realities of today and the future head-on. The company has united its businesses with geographies and end-markets for significant growth. Dow is commercializing game-changing technologies today that are delivering real value to the bottom line. In 2011 nearly one-third of its sales were from products launched in the last five years reinforcing their strategic goals.
DuPont is an industry leader in safety. DuPont quickly realized that in order for the organization’s safety mindset to be successful, safety had to be embraced from the top down. The safety culture of the company has proven successful in many areas. In 2000, over 90% of DuPont’s sites world-wide, operated with zero injuries, an unheard of accomplishment. In addition, DuPont has leveraged its acclaimed safety program and had provided safety training to other companies including General Motors, GE and Alcoa, Inc. (Vinas, 2002)
The Essay on New World Chemicals, Inc.
In producing the financial forecast for NWC, Ms. Wilson has to determine the following: Additional funds needed (AFN) Free cash flow In relation to the above, Ms. Wilson has to consider effects on the following items: Operational capacity against sales projections Assumptions in receivables management Forecasted growth in fixed assets Expected improvement in inventory handling ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK ...
Conclusion
Dow is the third largest chemical company in the world. The healthy business environment fosters sustainability for decades to come. Dow offers financial and technological strengths with a promising future in the world-wide market.
References
Nickels, W. G., McHugh, J. M., & McHugh, S. M. (2010).
Understanding Business (9th ed.).
: McGraw-Hill. Dow Chemical Company. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.dow.com BASF Chemical Company. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.basf.com DuPont. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.dupont.com
Vinas, T. (2002, Summer).
Best Practices DuPont safety starts at the top. Industry Week, (), Retrieved from http://hhtp:www.industryweek.com/articles/best_practices_—_dupont_safety_starts_at_the_top
