Executive summary
Financial analysis of Kismet indicates that it was highly profitable during the first and second quarters. The profitability improved in the second quarter. Besides, the company had a strong liquidity and solvency indicating that it had sufficient assets to repay its debt. It has the character, capacity and condition for paying a loan from the people.
Analysis of the cash flow statement also showed that it generated more cash than it used in the second quarter of the year. However, the company does not have adequate collateral to cover the entire $43,000 loan. The bank will incur a high risk if it advances the entire amount to the company. Alternatively, it can lend the company less than the amount requested or lend the same amount but on condition that the company guarantees that it will make adequate sales after the expansion. This may include signing pre-contract documents with customers.
Problem statement
Kismet wants to expand its operations and requires a loan of $43,000 as well as expanding its credit line from $5,000 to $10,000. The company has applied for the loan with its bank. The problem, in this case, is to analyze the financial performance and stability of the company, assessing its creditworthiness and evaluating options the bank has and recommending whether the bank should advance the loan or not.
Ratio analyses and implications
This analysis helps in determining the financial strength and performance of the business. It is important in determining the ability of the business to pay his debts. Relevant analyses include profitability, liquidity and solvency analysis.
Analysis of liquidity
Kismet’s current ratio for the three months ended July was 3.00 implying that its current assets were more than thrice the value of its current liabilities. This shows that it has adequate current assets to pay its current obligations. At the end of April, Kismet’s current ratio was 1.56. The increase in the current ratio in the second quarter shows that the liquidity of Kismet improved.
Its cash ratio was 0.215 at the end of the second quarter and 0.152 at the end of eth first quarter. This suggests that its cash balance as at that date could pay 21.5% of the total short-term liabilities. The increase in the cash ratio indicates that the liquidity of Kismet improved in the second quarter.
Kismet’s quick ratio was 0.244 and 0.176 in the second and first quarters respectively. It implies the Kismet’s quick assets (current assets excluding inventory) could repay only 24.4% of the total current liabilities. The increase indicates an increase in liquidity.
The above liquidity analysis indicates that Kismet has a strong liquidity since its current assets are sufficient to clear up its current liabilities. This further implies that Kismet can pay its short-term obligations hence the bank should be worried about short-term lending funds to Kismet. The concern, however, is a significant amount of inventory which leads to a lower quick ratio.
Profitability analysis
Profitability analysis is important is it determines whether the firm’s operations are cost-effective. Profitable businesses generate adequate revenues thus enhancing their ability to repay debt.
Kismet’s gross profit margin was 32.82% in the second quarter, up from 30.21% in the first quarter. This shows that it earned a gross profit of $0.3282 for every dollar of total revenue. The increase in gross margin suggests an improvement in Kismet’s profitability in the second quarter. Its operating profit margin increased from 8.61% in the first quarter to 15.67% in the second quarter. The net profit margin was 11.74% in the second quarter up from 6.45%. It suggests that it earned a net profit of $0.1174 per dollar of total revenue.
The return on assets for Kismet was 52.12% in the second quarter and 15.99% in the first quarter. It shows that Kismet erased a net income of $0.5212 per dollar of total assets used during the second quarter. The increase in ROA shows that the profitability of Kismet improved in the second quarter.
Kismet’s return on equity was 83.52% in the second quarter indicating that it earned a net profit after tax of $0.8352 per dollar of shareholders’ equity. The ratio increased from 52.99% in the first quarter to 83.52% in the second quarter. This suggests that the profitability of Kismet improved in the second quarter.
Profitability ratios indicate that Kismet was profitable in both the first and second quarters. The high profitability is a positive contribution to its ability to honor its debt obligations. Besides, its profitability improved in the second quarter.
Solvency/Leverage analysis
This analysis helps in determining the financial stability of Kismet, including its ability to settle the long-term debt. The debt ratio for Kismet at the end of the second quarter was 0.314 indicating that Kismet financed the acquisition of 31.4% of its total assets through borrowing. This implies that it has a low leverage since the debt ratio is less than 50%. The debt ratio for the first quarter was 0.698. The decline in the debt ratio shows that the solvency of the company improved in the second quarter.
The debt-equity ratio at the end of the second quarter was 0.458 indicating that Kismet had more equity than debt in its capital structure. The ratio shows that Kismet had a low leverage and strong solvency. In the first quarter, the debt-equity ratio was 2.313. The decline in the debt-equity ratio shows that the solvency of Kismet improved in the second quarter of the year.
Kismet had an interest cover (times interest earned ratio) of 898 times. This shows that Kismet operating income (before interest and taxes) was 898 times the interest expense for the quarter. This shows that Kismet generated more than sufficient earnings to cover its interest expense. This indicates that the probability that Kismet will be unable to pay interest on its debt is very low. The interest cover increased from 602.28 times in the first quarter to 898.23 times in the second quarter indicating an improvement in the solvency of the company.
The above analysis indicates that Kismet had a strong solvency. Its total debt is only 315 of the total assets. Besides, the balance sheet indicates that it does not have any long-term debt. It generates sufficient earnings to meet its interest expense. The string solvency implies that the financial risk involved in Kismet is low since the possibility of failing to honor its obligations is low. Thus, the bank should advance the required amount of debt to the company since it can pay interest on the debt as well as the principal.
Statement of change and implication (sources and uses of cash)
Analysis of the cash flow statement indicates that Kismet had a positive net change in cash at eth end of the second quarter. Its short-term financing sources included taxes payable and working capital loan. The total short-term sources of finance were $6,812. It also obtained cash from long-term sources such as retained earnings (sales- operating activities) and the sale of fixed assets. It sold a fixed asset $1,000 while its retained earnings were $67,293. The total cash inflows (sources of cash) were $75,105. Its uses of cash included the purchase of inventory worth $58,389 and payment of accounts payable of $15,479. During the second quarter, the company’s cash inflows (sources) were more than its cash outflows (uses).
The analysis indicates that the company does not face any cash flow problems. It has adequate cash to finance its daily operations. Cash flow stability is important in the evaluation of the creditworthiness of the company since the uses cash interest on debt and not receivables. It is not enough for the company to make higher revenues, it must be efficient enough to convert those revenues into cash.
4 C’s of credit
Character
Kismet is owned by two shareholders, Stuart Trier and Aaron Anticic, each holding 50% of the business. Trier, 24, is the president of the company. He graduated with a bachelor of arts from the University of Western Ontario. He was enrolled in the administrative and commercial studies program at the University. He worked as an analyst at 3M Canada where his duty was to optimize service and inventory levels. He is self-motivated and energetic. Aaron, the Treasurer, is a graduate of Richard Ivey School of Business (University of Western Ontario) with a degree in business administration. He held a lecture position at the Richard Ivey School of Business and developed experience in small business management by managing his family’s restaurant during the summers.
The company sells lower-priced tools to individuals and contractors. Its stores are located in Hamilton. It also operates a mobile tool show. The above analysis indicates that Kismet has an experienced management. Besides, the company is yet to acquire long-term debt.
Capacity
The financial statements indicate that it can borrow and repay the required amount of the loan. Its net income after tax for the second quarter was $67,292 while that for the first quarter was $11,274. The balance sheet shows that it has less debt. It had no long-term liabilities, and its total current liabilities was less than 50% of the total assets. Besides, its cash inflows were more than its cash outflows. Thus, it can repay $43,000 from the bank.
Condition
The company’s industry shows positive prospects and is expected to grow. The company’s additional investment is expected to increase its earnings. Interest rates are also stable and are not expected to change rapidly.
Collateral
The company’s fixed assets are inadequate to secure the entire amount of the loan. The net book value of the company’s fixed asset is only $6,000. If the bank lends the company the $43,000 required to purchase new fixed assets, only $6,000 of the amount will be secured.
Alternative analysis
Option 1
The first option the bank has is to Kismet the entire amount of the loan ($43,000) and allow the expansion of working capital loan (credit line) to $100,000.
Pros:
The advantage is that Kismet will get the required capital to finance its expansion. Expanded operations may lead to an increase in revenues and net income thus enhancing the return on investment. If the expansion is successful, Kismet will be able to repay the bank.
Cons:
Kismet will not provide collateral for the entire amount of the loan. The company’s fixed asset will only cover $6,000 of the $43,000 loan. Secondly, there is no guarantee that the bank will get back its money. Since most of the loan is not covered, the banks may lose the amount if the expansion is not successful.
Option 2
The bank to refuse the loan application from kismet. The advantage is that the bank will not be at risk of losing the unsecured portion of the loan. However, it will be disadvantageous to Kismet since it will not be able to finance its expansion plans.
Option 3
To give the loan on condition that the company’s sales increase. The bank may also wait for Kismet to find a large buyer for the expanded production. This will reduce the risk of loss to the bank. However, Kismet may not get the loan if the market conditions are not favorable.
Recommendations
As shown in the analysis, the company is financially stable. It is profitable, highly liquid and has a strong solvency. Evaluation of the 4C’s showed that company had a strong capital, collateral, and capacity to pay the debt. However, a loan of $43,000 will be higher than the company’s capacity. The bank should lend the company less than $43,000 or wait until the company secures buyers.