Dukuly LTD, a public entity, has been expanding through acquisitions. It is assessing two potential acquisition targets, Suah LTD and Nagbe LTD, which operate in the same industry. The indicative price for acquiring either entity is GH¢12 million.

The financial statements for Suah LTD and Nagbe LTD are provided as follows:

Statement of Profit or Loss for the year ended 30 September 2024

Item Suah LTD (GH¢’000) Nagbe LTD (GH¢’000)
Revenue 25,000 40,000
Cost of Sales (19,000) (32,800)
Gross Profit 6,000 7,200
Distribution & Admin Expenses (1,250) (2,300)
Finance Costs (250) (900)
Profit Before Tax 4,500 4,000
Income Tax Expense (900) (1,000)
Profit for the Year 3,600 3,000

Statement of Financial Position as at 30 September 2024

Item Suah LTD (GH¢’000) Nagbe LTD (GH¢’000)
Non-Current Assets 4,800 10,300
Current Assets 4,800 8,700
Total Assets 9,600 19,000
Equity 2,600 5,600
Non-Current Liabilities 5,000 9,200
Current Liabilities 2,000 4,200
Total Equity & Liabilities 9,600 19,000

Additional Information:

  1. Carrying Amount of Plant Assets:

    • Suah LTD: GH¢4,800,000
    • Nagbe LTD: GH¢2,000,000
  2. The following ratios for Suah LTD are provided:

    Ratio Suah LTD
    Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) 62.5%
    Net Asset Turnover 3.3 times
    Gross Profit Margin 24.0%
    Profit Margin (Before Interest & Tax) 19.0%
    Current Ratio 2.4:1
    Inventory Holding Period 31 days
    Trade Receivables Collection Period 31 days
    Trade Payables Payment Period 24 days
    Gearing Ratio 65.80%
    Acid Test Ratio 1.6:1

Required:
Using the financial statements provided, calculate the corresponding ratios for Nagbe LTD to compare with Suah LTD.

Calculated Financial Ratios for Nagbe LTD

Ratio Formula Calculation for Nagbe LTD Result
Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) (Profit Before Interest & Tax / Capital Employed) × 100 (4,900 / 14,800) × 100 33.11%
Net Asset Turnover Revenue / Net Assets 40,000 / 5,600 7.14 times
Gross Profit Margin (Gross Profit / Revenue) × 100 (7,200 / 40,000) × 100 18.0%
Profit Margin (Before Interest & Tax) (PBIT / Revenue) × 100 (4,900 / 40,000) × 100 12.25%
Current Ratio Current Assets / Current Liabilities 8,700 / 4,200 2.07:1
Inventory Holding Period (Closing Inventory / Cost of Sales) × 365 (3,400 / 32,800) × 365 37.82 days
Trade Receivables Collection Period (Trade Receivables / Revenue) × 365 (5,100 / 40,000) × 365 46.54 days
Trade Payables Payment Period (Trade Payables / Cost of Sales) × 365 (2,100 / 32,800) × 365 23.36 days
Gearing Ratio (Debt / (Debt + Equity)) × 100 (10,200 / (10,200 + 5,600)) × 100 64.6%

Key Observations from the Ratios:

  • ROCE is significantly lower for Nagbe LTD (33.11%) than Suah LTD (62.5%), indicating that Suah LTD generates higher returns on its capital employed.
  • Net Asset Turnover is higher for Nagbe LTD (7.14 times) than Suah LTD (3.3 times), meaning Nagbe LTD is more efficient at using its assets to generate revenue.
  • Gross Profit Margin is lower for Nagbe LTD (18.0%) than Suah LTD (24.0%), showing that Nagbe LTD has lower profitability on its sales.
  • Profit Margin (Before Interest & Tax) is also lower for Nagbe LTD (12.25%) than Suah LTD (19.0%), meaning Suah LTD converts a greater portion of its revenue into profit.
  • Current Ratio is slightly weaker for Nagbe LTD (2.07:1) compared to Suah LTD (2.4:1), showing a marginally lower short-term liquidity position.
  • Inventory Holding Period is higher for Nagbe LTD (37.82 days) than Suah LTD (31 days), indicating Nagbe LTD takes longer to sell inventory.
  • Trade Receivables Collection Period is longer for Nagbe LTD (46.54 days) than Suah LTD (31 days), meaning Nagbe LTD takes more time to collect receivables.
  • Trade Payables Payment Period is slightly lower for Nagbe LTD (23.36 days) than Suah LTD (24 days), showing both companies settle payables at a similar rate.
  • Gearing Ratio is slightly lower for Nagbe LTD (64.6%) than Suah LTD (65.8%), indicating Nagbe LTD relies marginally less on debt financing.