Financial Analysis of Verizon

Financial analysis is important to the firm’s management and investors. It provides the financial health of the company and guide on the best business strategy and investment decision respectively. By determining the probability of failure and bankruptcy, investors can initiate preventive measures to minimize loses (Wahlen, Bradshaw & Baginski, 2015).. This section of the report investigates the financial health of Verizon Inc. Also, the financial performance is compared to that of its major competitor—AT &T. The firm’s income statement, balance sheet and the statement of cash flows will be evaluated to provide an in-depth view of the financial health. The solvency, profitability and liquidity ratios are hereby determined to provide a comprehensive view of the company as highlighted below;

Metric	Ratios
Solvency	Debt ratio Debt to Equity ratio
Profitability	Profit margin Return on Assets
Liquidity	Cash ratio Current ratio

Liquidity Ratios

These ratios assess the firm’s ability to meet its short-term debt obligations when they fare due. Liquidity ratios show the number of times that the short-term obligations can be met by liquid assets and cash. The liquidity ratios of Verizon are highlighted using cash ratio and current ratio. The values used are end year values.

Ratio	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Cash ratio	0.14	0.11	0.08	0.11	0.09
Current ratio	0.64	0.87	0.91	0.86	0.78

Generally, a liquidity ratio more than one implies that short-term obligations can be met comfortably. In the case of Verizon, the firm cannot meet its short-term financial obligations fully. From the assessment, the cash ratio has been dwindling from 2015. The ratio decreased from 2015 to 2017, rose in 2018 and eventually fell in 2019. Similarly, the current ratio has been decreasing since 2017.

Profitability Ratios

These ratios indicate the firm’s ability to generate profits relative to balance sheet assets, revenue, shareholders’ equity and operating costs in a given period. They show how well Verizon utilizes assets to generate value for the shareholders. The profitability ratios are as highlighted below;

Ratio	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROA	6.60%	5.86%	11.71%	5.38%	7.32%S
Profit Margin	14.61%	11.87%	23.88%	10.42%	13.58%

From the ratios, the ROA of Verizon has been fluctuating since 2015. The highest return on assets of 11.71% was realized in 2017. Similarly, the net profit margin has been fluctuating since 2015. Similarly, the highest net profit margin of 23.88% was realized in 2017.

Solvency Ratios

Solvency ratios assess Verizon’s ability to meet its debt obligations. It indicates the sufficiency of the cash flow to meet the short- and long-term liabilities of the giant telco firm. Solvency ratios of Verizon are indicated below;

Year	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
Debt Ratio	0.7846	0.7934	0.8262	0.9016	0.9269
Equity Ratio	0.2105	0.2007	0.1676	0.0922	0.0673

From the ratios, the debt ratio of Verizon has been deteriorating since 2015. However, the firm is in a good position to pay its creditors based on the debt ratios. On the other hand, the equity ratio has been improving since 2015. However, the equity ratio has been less than 0.5 throughout the five years. This shows that Verizon uses majority of Verizon’s assets are funded by stock rather than shareholders’ equity. This makes it less popular as an investment option. Investors prefer conservative firms (Wahlen, Bradshaw & Baginski, 2015).

Comparison of Verizon with AT&T

According to Stock Analysis (2020), the ratios of AT&T are as follows;

Liquidity Ratios

	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Quick ratio	0.45	0.45	0.82	0.49	0.50
Current Ratio	0.75	0.76	0.97	0.80	0.79

AT&T Liquidity Ratios

Comparing the liquidity ratios of AT&T with Verizon’s, AT &T has relatively higher ratios compared to Verizon. This shows that it is in a better position to offset its short-term financial obligations than Verizon.

Profitability Ratios

	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROA	2.52%	3.64%	6.63%	3.21%	3.31%
Net Profit Margin	7.67%	11.34%	18.34%	7.92%	9.09%

AT&T Profitability Ratios

The profitability ratios of Verizon are relatively higher compared to that of AT&T.

Solvency Ratios

Year	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
Debt Ratio	0.3	0.33	0.37	0.31	0.31
Equity Ratio	0.89	0.96	0.17	1	1.03

AT&T Solvency Ratios

Comparing the solvency ratios shows that Verizon has a higher debt ratio compared to AT&T. This shows that the firm is in a better position to pay its creditors compared to the latter. On the other hand, AT&T has higher equity ratios compared to Verizon. This shows that majority of its assets are funded by shareholders equity compared to Verizon. Generally, Verizon is a better investment option due to its high profitability and the ability to meet its long-term financial obligations. As highlighted in the ratios, Verizon appears to be headed in the right direction.

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