Saturday, May 23, 2020

Symptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia - 862 Words

Schizophrenia is a mental disease where patients can hear, see, and smell, things that are not actually there. These are referred to as hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations are things that the patient sees and hears that are not present. Delusions are the belief or impression that what the individual is seeing is real. Scientists know that schizophrenia is a genetic disorder and it runs in families. This disease occurs in families and in the general population. In families it occurs in about 10 percent and in others it occurs in 1 percent. The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but many scientists think that this disorder involves many different genes, not just one. They also thing this disease is caused from factors from genes and environment, such as being exposed to harmful things before birth. This disease is equally common in men and women, but men normally experience symptoms earlier than women. Symptoms of this disease are separated into three classifications, wh ich are positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms Positive symptoms come and go. Sometimes these symptoms can be severe and other times they can be very mild. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, which are things that a person smells, hears, feels, or sees that are actually not there. Delusions, which are when the individual believes something that, are not associated with the individual’s culture; an example of this is if someone thinks messages are secretly being sent toShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1176 Words   |  5 Pages Symptoms The symptoms of schizophrenia are wide and varied, typically falling into three main categories, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. Each of these symptom types affect the patient in different ways, and in different degrees of severity. The symptoms may range from mildly irritating, to severe and debilitating. Positive symptoms are behaviors not normally seen in healthy people. Negative symptoms are behaviors that are usually exhibited in healthy people but areRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1671 Words   |  7 Pages Schizophrenia is defined many ways, but each definition of this disorder is correct. No two individuals will have the exact same symptoms of schizophrenia. The word schizophrenia comes from the Greek words that mean â€Å"split mind†. This disorder can lead to many other problems throughout a person’s lifetime. There are many different symptoms that can help with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, but each of the sym ptoms can also be contributed to other disorders. The symptoms of schizophrenia appearRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia904 Words   |  4 Pagessigns symptoms observed. Some of the disorders are caused by different factors and reveal divergent signs and symptoms which are depended on the field of the body infected. This paper purposes at critically evaluating and analyzing psychological disorder referred to as schizophrenia by demonstrating its symptoms and their occurrences. It will discuss the causes of this type of psychological disorder and possible diagnostic together treatments mechanisms of this kind of disease. Schizophrenia is aRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1077 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Schizophrenias is a serious mental illness characterized by incoherent or illogical thoughts, bizarre behavior and speech, and delusions or hallucinations, such as hearing voices (APA,2015). I choose to touch on the topic of schizophrenia because I always been interested the topic itself. The one thing I wondered is if there are different stages of schizophrenia and why it may be hard to diagnose. Schizophrenia is a mental disease that’s very hard to pinpoint in a person, whichRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1210 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Schizophrenia Symptoms. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder which is characterized by an inability to distinguish what is real and subsequent abnormal behavior. Literally translating from the Greek skhizein and phrÄ“n meaning ‘split-mind’, schizophrenia is characterized by both positive symptoms, e.g. hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, and also negative symptoms, e.g. apathy, Anhedonia, and deficits in executive functioning. The Diagnostic and StatisticalRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1153 Words   |  5 Pages 1 / 3 Cindy Tien 3-18-15 Per.6 Schizophrenia What is Schizophrenia? Can you imagine living day by day having to hear and see things that nobody else could? You feel alone, lost and different amongst other normal people. Believe it or not, approximately twenty five million people in America have been impacted by this disease called schizophrenia. What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is mental disorder distinguished by disturbances within thought patterns, attention, and emotions. UnfortunatelyRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia Essay858 Words   |  4 PagesSchizophrenia Over 2 million Americans suffer with schizophrenia each day. A vast majority of people diagnosed with schizophrenia suffer from hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and disorganized speech. Hallucinations are sensory experiences in the absence of external stimulation; therefore, people with schizophrenia may see people or things that are not really there and may even hold conversions or have relationships with these â€Å"people†. Delusions are false beliefs about reality. Someone withRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1569 Words   |  7 Pagesmental health professionals, Jaime was confirmed to have paranoid schizophrenia. Jaime was immediately put on antipsychotic medication, and after about 3 months of taking that medication, he started attending psychological treatment. He has been continuing with both procedures for about a year. Today, his medication dose has lowered and he has shown much improvement compared to when he first was diagnosed. Introduction Positive symptoms are behaviors that aren t seen in healthy people, people whoRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1049 Words   |  5 Pages The Effects of Schizophrenia Madison M. Sulak Dr. Linstrum PSYCH 2301 East Texas Baptist University Fall 2015 Pg. 1 A brain disorder can be triggered by multiple different things such as a stroke, abnormal growths, any type of viral infection, or cancer. There are countless types of brain disorders that people are diagnosed with daily. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, â€Å"Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected peopleRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia1430 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Schizophrenia is very complex and â€Å"startling disorder characterized by a broad range of cognitive and emotional dysfunctions† (Barlow Durand, 2015, p. 477). It can greatly impact a person’s life in a negative manner: affecting physical, emotional, relational, and occupational health. The National Institute of Mental Health defines schizophrenia as a â€Å"chronic and severe disorder that affects how a person, think, feels, and acts† (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d., para. 1).

Monday, May 18, 2020

Freedom For Students And Parents Should Limit Academic...

For decades now, censorship has been a prominent issue in American education. Though what’s best for students is at the forefront of that conversation, many continue to disagree about the amount of academic freedom that K-12 public school teachers should have in their classrooms. The idea of censoring teachers’ messages to students and even school activities is grounded in protecting the morality of American children. Proponents of academic freedom for K-12 teachers believe that censorship has instilled fear in teachers, which deters them from preparing students to be knowledgeable, well-rounded citizens. However, those who oppose extending academic freedom to K-12 teachers claim that teachers’ responsibility to students and parents should limit academic freedom. Before examining both sides of the issue, one must first understand the long history of censorship in American schools. â€Å"Efforts to restrict or ban books, films, speakers, topics, of study, magazin es, speech, press, dress, art, drama,, fieldtrips and other student and teacher activities have permeated and undercut school life for generations† (Nelson, 2013, p. 399). Parents and politicians alike have fought for years to ban certain items from the educational experience such as books, field trips, and extracurricular activities, which they felt would jeopardize the morality of their children. Though censorship of teacher-student activities is a continuing problem and has been for years, some instances show thatShow MoreRelatedThe Freedom And Self Determination Curriculum800 Words   |  4 PagesThere is a very fine line between freedom and self-determination when discussing and -implementing activities for students and education purposes. I agree with both the new teacher and Mr. Humam in this case study. The freedom and self-determination curriculum described for Hillsdale â€Å"A† School could possible work as a school curriculum if presented in a solid structu re. It’s very important to communicate and have relationships with all students, parents and teachers, however if not equally it isRead MoreA Teachers Rights and Responsibilities Essay1324 Words   |  6 Pages Children and youth are critical steps in the formation of a human being. Parents and teachers are the pillars of the educational process in this age group and therefore their work is critical to the wellbeing of society. Regardless of the type of school, all teachers are required to teach and promote fundamental human rights, such as to practice them in their daily work. The Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child and Human Rights require preservation in all fields, with particular emphasisRead MoreEssay on Speak Freely: Limits of Free Speech1748 Words   |  7 Pagesthe United States Constitution gives Americans the right to free speech (Lakoff 260). Learning to speak is something our parents praise us for when we are little. Why, after all the waiting time they endured, would parents let strangers decide what their child could or could not say. Censorship of language and speech is becoming too strict. Although we have the right to freedom of speech there are some restrictions such as â€Å"fighting words† that are not permitted by the First Amendment. The essayRead MoreBanning Books in Schools Essay983 Words   |  4 PagesThe practice of the censorship of books in schools has been prevalent due to the explicit content of them. Parents have been complaining to schools about books that count as required reading because they disapprove with the points made in the book. If a book consists of offensive or sexually explicit material, then parents would challenge the schools about them in order to prevent their children from reading them. Censorship in general has been an intensely debated issue because it is consideredRead MoreSchool Uniforms, Stay Or Leave?1546 Words   |  7 Pagesin students academic performance and behavior at school. However, others counter that, with it does not help, it only creates a bigger problem by enforcing the rules of a school dress code. Accord ing to School Uniforms: An Overview, the definition of dress code means, rules designed by school districts or individual schools to prescribe students attire (Chittom). Although, school uniforms may help with discipline, attendance, and academic performance, it can also diminish their freedom of expressionRead MoreTeacher Handbook Essays1546 Words   |  7 Pageshas to throw away their rights granted by the United States Constitution. Teachers are required to maintain moral and ethical behavior but their rights as citizens are not taken away. Teachers should understand that they are always teachers and role models whether they are in the classroom or not and should always maintain a professional demeanor when in the public eye. Teachers are held to a higher standard in their actions and behaviors because of their employment position. Teachers influenceRead MoreFree Speech Policy Should Be Freedom Of Speech1029 Words   |  5 PagesStudents on many campuses are concerned with debate of ideas and therefore also with free speech issues. So I ll ease the students of a diverse college with an appropriate free-speech policy. The policy should be freedom of speech no matter the topic. Since in the text, â€Å"The importance of protecting even the thoughts we hate.† (Volokh, E. (2015, November 2). The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com) proves with the sentences; â€Å"Oddly, many of these restrictions come from politicalRead MoreEssay on The Dress Code Fix1594 Words   |  7 Pages Dress codes allow students to set themselves apart from others by their actions not their appearance. One case in particular is brought up in court for a possible comparison, a possibility that an allusion could be between could be made between Tinker and whatever other case. In 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines I.C.S.D., three students were suspended from school for a form of visible protest. They showed their opposition of the Vietnam War by wearing black arm bands. The students said their first amendmentRead MoreOver The Past Years, Most Public School Administrators1385 Words   |  6 Pagespublic school administrators have been engaged in the heated debate over whether public school students should put on school uniforms or not. This important argument has drawn the attention of both liberal thinkers and conservatives. From one far end, a section of the society feels that public school students school have the freedom to put on their clothing of choice while the other section feels that there should be uniformity in the public-school attire. Based on such contradicting opinions, there isRead MoreDress Code Essay1016 Words   |  5 Pages Some pro statement I consider important should be that uniforms can increase students safety . Having uniforms can prevent for students having sexual relationship with other students or even their own teacher .Prevent from other students from other schools coming into their campus . It also can prevent for bullying ,for example students picking on their cloths /shoes.When all students are dressed alike ,competing with one another will stop .Students dont have to worry about the brand they are

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Essay about Globalization The Explotation of the Poor By...

The concept of Globalisation is a contested terrain. Authors such as Jameson (1988) discuss globalisation as a new marvel, as yet out with any specific field of academia, defining it as an â€Å"immense enlargement in communication with more tangible and immediate world markets than earlier stages of modernity†. McGrew (2000, as cited in Marsh, Keating, Punch and Harden 2000, pg. 380) has identified that globalisation is not a new concept but its fervour has certainly magnified. This essay will outline and describe the main features of globalisation focussing on the economical dimensions, although these decisions are affected by politics, which in turn affect the environmental and cultural aspects of life. With this in mind consideration will†¦show more content†¦Thirdly, social interaction can now happen instantaneously. Technological advances such as internet or satellite communication connect people from different parts of the globe in real-time. Local events are shaped by situations occurring globally, for example fighting in Afghanistan can be watched virtually bullet by bullet. Fourthly, individuals consider themselves to be part of a worldwide collective, rather than only connected to their immediate localities or countries. To understand the emergence of the free market it is useful to look back to the end of the Second World War. A conference attended by the global North, led by America and Britain was held in Bretton Woods. The outcomes significantly impacted post war economics developing state-run capitalism such as; protection of national economies, expansion of international trading and cutting import duty. The international monetary fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) were established providing capital to rebuild Europe. Multinational agreements were signed actuating the world trade organisation (WTO) Steger (2009). Harman (2000) claims significant economic growth was the result. Unemployment fell, wages and living standards improved significantly; the welfare state was introduced in Britain and New deal in the US. However, by 1973 recession struck the West.Show MoreRelatedPositive And Negative Outcomes Of Economic Globalization1635 Words   |  7 PagesIn this article, I review the literature on the positive and negative outcomes of economic globalization, and the impact on developed and developing nations. The findings indicate a strong trend in the belief that developed countries dominate in the world of international trade, as there resources ensure a competitive advantage over poorer undeveloped nations. In addition, it can be concluded that the great benefits of free trade, defined broadly as â€Å"free movement of goods, services, and capital

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Bus 307 Operations Management and Quantitative Techniques

Mastering the Bread Making Master Schedule and Producing Automobiles Leaner Your Name BUS 307 Operations Management and Quantitative Techniques Your Instructors Date Introduction The Realco Breadmaster A master production schedule is used by business organizations as a metric to ascertain whether or not their production (outputs) meets their supply demands (inputs). There are times when a business wants to have a surplus and at others letting inventory dwindle to smaller numbers is optimal. The idea is to ensure that customers get their orders in a timely manner to retain loyalty, maximize profits, and reduce overhead and direct costs. The Realco Breadmaster Company has a new bread maker in the hopes of increasing their†¦show more content†¦A properly designed and used MPS can assist large companies to constantly improve their efficiency, control costs and still meet customer demand. Introduction A Bumpy Road for Toyota Throughout the years, Toyota has defined themselves as one of the top vehicle vendors in the world. Ending in March 2004, Toyota’s â€Å"net income [was] $10.49 billion in yen,† which was more than General Motors and Ford Motor combined (Bozarth amp; Handfield, 2008). With Toyota’s car sales on the rise they wanted to focus on improving the quality of cars being produced. Unfortunately for Toyota, they found a series of errors and glitches in their entire assembly process with had a negative impact towards Toyota’s brand. The Toyota Company viewed the Lean philosophy as, â€Å"a form of religion† (Bozarth amp; Handfield, 2008). The Lean methodology is a process in which every aspect of the business is looked at and improved to increase productivity of workers, assembly lines, and inventory and manager management among many others, all the while keeping a close eye on production. When Toyota began opening automobile facto ries in the United States they continued to maintain and enforce quality which was consistent with their lean philosophy. One of the engineers would even draw chalk circles around an employee and told the employee to stay their watching that jobShow MoreRelatedBus 307 Week 3: Spend Analysis1029 Words   |  5 PagesBUS 307 – Operations Management Quantitative Techniques Michael Dennis-Leigh July 23, 2012 Spend Analysis I. Introduction The current condition of the economy in the United States (US) and increased economic pressures has reinvigorated many companies to rethink their purchasing practices. One of the best ways for a company to evaluate its spending patterns is through a spend analysis. â€Å"A spend analysis is the process of determining what is being spent, with whomRead MoreCASE STUDY REALCO BREADMAKER Essay2140 Words   |  9 Pages Case Studies BUS 307 Operations Management Quantitative Techniques Feb 10, 2014 Case Studies Chapter 12 Case Study: The Realco Breadmaker 1. Develop a master production schedule for the breadmaker. What do the projected ending inventory and available-to-promise numbers look like? Has Realco â€Å"overpromised†? In your view, should Realco update either the forecast or the production numbers? A master production schedule for the bread-maker will be presented below.Read MoreThe Quality Management Theory with an Emphasis on Kaizen and Efqm4130 Words   |  17 PagesThe Quality Management Theory with an emphasis on Kaizen and EFQM Susan Baer Liberty University Online Abstract The intent of this literature review is to research the theory of quality management with an emphasis on the use of kaizen and the European Quality Management Model (EFQM). Through the use of scholarly articles based on research within the field of quality management in both the domestic and global business arenas, the reader will understand the history and significance of the useRead MoreThe Emergence of the Fast Fashion Business Model and Imposed Quick Response Challenges for Chinese Fabric Manufacturers14773 Words   |  60 Pages(B) Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong e-mail: jhopepeterson@yahoo.com T.C. Edwin Cheng and T.-M. Choi (eds.), Innovative Quick Response Programs in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, International Handbooks on Information Systems, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-04313-0 20, c Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010 387 388 J.H. Peterson et al. 1 Introduction The global clothing sector provides the world’s second largestRead MoreContemporary Issues in Management Accounting211377 Words   |  846 Pages Contemporary Issues in Management Accounting This page intentionally left blank Contemporary Issues in Management Accounting Edited by ALNOOR BHIMANI 1 Great Clarendon Street, Oxford ox2 6dp Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne MexicoRead MoreIntroduction to Materials Management169665 Words   |  679 PagesFrom the Library of Girro From the Library of Girro@qq.com Introduction to Materials Management SIXTH EDITION From the Library of Girro J. R. Tony Arnold, P.E., CFPIM, CIRM Fleming College, Emeritus Stephen N. Chapman, Ph.D., CFPIM North Carolina State University Lloyd M. Clive, P.E., CFPIM Fleming College Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Columbus, Ohio From the Library of Girro@qq.com From the Library of Girro Editor in Chief: Vernon R. Anthony Acquisitions Editor:Read MoreManaging Information Technology (7th Edition)239873 Words   |  960 PagesNIBCO’s â€Å"Big Bang†: An SAP Implementation CASE STUDY III-6 BAT Taiwan: Implementing SAP for a Strategic Transition CASE STUDY III-7 A Troubled Project at Modern Materials, Inc. CASE STUDY III-8 Purchasing and Implementing a Student Management System at Jefferson County School System CASE STUDY IV-1 The Clarion School for Boys, Inc.– Milwaukee Division: Making Information Systems Investments CASE STUDY IV-2 FastTrack IT Integration for the Sallie Mae Merger CASE STUDYRead MoreMarketing Mix in the Technology Industry14998 Words   |  60 Pagesï » ¿Marketing Mix in Technology Industry Celina Kopp BSc (Hons) Business Management Contents TOC o 1-3 h z u HYPERLINK l _Toc323986502Executive Summary PAGEREF _Toc323986502 h 3 HYPERLINK l _Toc323986503Chapter 1 Introduction PAGEREF _Toc323986503 h 4 HYPERLINK l _Toc3239865041.1 Background PAGEREF _Toc323986504 h 4 HYPERLINK l _Toc3239865051.2 Objectives PAGEREF _Toc323986505 h 4 HYPERLINK l _Toc3239865061.3 Aim PAGEREF _Toc323986506 h 5 HYPERLINK l _Toc3239865071.4 PersonalRead MoreAccounting for Non Accounting Students45396 Words   |  182 Pagesjust as the computer is often blamed for almost anything that goes wrong in an organization. 2. Accounting is a service industry concerned with the supply of information. 3. Accountants themselves do not necessarily take decisions – that is for management. 4. Managers take decisions on a whole range of issues, not all of them related to accounting or financial issues. If initiative and enterprise are stifled, that is because managers allow it to happen. Blaming accountants, therefore, is just anRead MoreCase Studies: Sas Airline Ryanair80169 Words   |  321 Pagesmonopolies. The deregulation on this market was very 1 Sinha, D. (1999) The Regulation and Deregulation of US Airlines, The Journal of Transport History, 20(1), p. 46-47 2 Starkie, D. (2002) Airport Regulation and Competition, Journal of Air Transport Management, 8, p. 63 3 Sinha, D. (2001) Deregulation and Liberalization of the Airline Industry, Ashgate Publishing Limited, p. 81 - 85 4 Shane, S., (2003) A General Theory of Entrepreneurship, Edward Elgar, p. 156-157 5 Sinha, D. (1999) The Regulation

Active and Passive Indexing Free Essays

The first index fund began in 1971, with $6 million funded by Samsonite, the luggage-maker. Since then, there have been many arguments of whether an active index fund or a passive index fund offers better long-term results for investors. Index funds are already the fastest growing sector of the mutual fund business. We will write a custom essay sample on Active and Passive Indexing or any similar topic only for you Order Now From 1986 to 1996, the amount of money invested in index funds grew from $556 million to $65 Billion. And if anything, individual investors have been slow to embrace passive management. Institutional investors invest a far larger percentage of their assets passively. Many individual investors are simply uneducated and unaware of the arguments and experimental evidence supporting passive management. Institutional investors and academics have known for years (many for decades) that passive investing is extremely difficult to beat and that the majority of active investors will fail in their attempt to outperform the market. Active indexers assert they can outperform the marketplace. Passive (index) portfolios state they can mirror the performance of the indices. Both have their good times and their bad times. Active indexers raise cash in times of increased risk and instability while passive indexers remain fully invested. This can be quite painful during times of large declines in the market. Passive portfolios mirror the gains of the indices during roaring bull markets and eventually outperform the majority of active money managers who must remain diversified and who sometimes take on additional risks in an attempt to produce the performance and safety that they have promised their clients. The evidence has piled up during today’s bull market that the average dollar managed by active managers does not keep up with the market index. Finally, indexing is a way to avoid being blind-sided in certain areas of the marketplace. Active management themes can easily find themselves on the wrong side of an investment. There is a perception among investors that a strategy designed to match stock market returns is less risky than a comparable actively managed portfolio. Since the index approach invests in a manner that is most friendly with the market’s natural liquidity, it produces the least disturbance. The passive investor also has diversified his risk. Specific negative things can happen to individual companies or groups. As a passive investor, one is not exposed to any of these things. However, it does not mean you have a risk-free investment. The downside to passive index investors is that they â€Å"fuel the fire† of a market that appreciates well beyond its true value. Index mutual funds must put new money to work†¦ they can not hold cash†¦ and their investors all buy the exact same stocks. When stocks go down, index funds, being fully invested, will receive the ultimate effect of the decline. Combined with this loss is the fact that they will also have to sell shares to cover shareholder redemptions. These funds will get hit harder than many active portfolios with a cash cushion. Most active managers of investment portfolios raise cash as they perceive higher valuations, excessive instability, and extreme risks, therefore; reducing the display to loss during declining markets. Another downside to passive indexing is the impact they have on market instability. This gives the patient active money manager a welcome opportunity to take advantage of stock selection at very attractive prices and, to some extent, time the market in making their decisions of when to buy and when to sell. Index investing is a tricky business that can roil markets. Actively indexed funds have gone upward over the last decade. This has occurred despite the fact that investors have poured huge amounts of money into active funds over this period. The costs of investing in index funds have trended downward as they have become more popular with investors. The costs of active index funds just might decrease in the future, thereby narrowing the cost gap with passive index funds. But all evidence to date has shown just the opposite trend – the costs of active funds continue to go up and the costs of index funds continue to go down. Actively indexed funds typically generate relatively large amounts of taxes while passive index funds generate relatively small amounts. Some of the resulting gap in performance caused by taxes would seemingly be narrowed if the federal government were to lower tax rates. Congress did this at the end of July 1997 when it reduced the maximum long term capital gains tax rate from 28% on investments held more than one year to 20% on investments held 18 months or longer. The tax bill provides that in the year 2001 this rate will be reduced to 18% for investments held five years or longer. Finally, active money managers serve the specific needs of their clients. They manage portfolios based exactly on the investor’s objectives and tolerance for risk. They make decisions based on a stated time frame and they are capable of changing the goals and direction of a portfolio on a moment’s notice. They are the investor’s personal link to the market and the protector of their capital. The value of these services is immeasurable to most investors. One thing that really does not influence the investor as much as it should is the lack of appreciation with respect to the tax consequences of passive index management. The capital gains, created during the year by a fully active index manager, is reported to the IRS, and the investor ends up being taxed. For a taxed investor, the buy-and-hold is a winning strategy. Turnover is the enemy of the investor who pays taxes. Conversely, most investors would be more than happy to pay taxes on the returns produced by active money managers during periods of declining markets. Not many investors prefer losses to earning some gains and interest, even with the tax man waiting. The effect of so many investors buying index funds is that they tend to guard the money market. An investor could actually, in a cost-effective manner, buy and sell the market. The asset funding of active managers, combined with the efficiency of the passive manager, allows one to implement strategies that provide an optimal mix of securities to match a particular scenario, objective, or risk aversion. From time to time, it is possible that the major assets can get out of balance. Investors can run up prices where the lawfulness market is overvalued. When this reaches a untrustworthy level, more self-corrective measures are needed. This is where the expertise of the active manager becomes useful. As an investor, you are always trading off what Jeremy Bentham, the British economist, referred to as the â€Å"pain-pleasure calculus. † Good returns produce pleasure. Bad returns produce pain. An active money manager is always balancing off the pleasure vs. e potential pain. The active manager tends to determine what that balance is and if it finds that the market is deployed otherwise, it works in balancing the portfolio. Tactical asset funding combined with a passively managed portfolio has been called the â€Å"holy grail† of investing by Jonathan Burton, of Dow Jones’ Asset Management magazine. During declining markets, index funds take the full force of the market’s loss. Managers of these funds are forced to sell stocks in order to meet the demand for redemptions as their investors got out of the market. During markets of very little movement, investors quickly drain of insufficient or no returns on their investment. Finally, a philosophy of capital preservation causes the active manager to raise cash, providing a cushion for portfolios during times of extreme risk. Active or passive? Both have their advantages and their risks, but the two are found to be the best long-term plans for both performance and safety. Index (passive) funds are likely to beat active funds, yet the Morningstar data show that 92% of all the money is U. S. stock funds is in active funds. How to cite Active and Passive Indexing, Essay examples

LOreal in India free essay sample

Table of Content Table of Content3 Executive Summary4 Company Introduction5 Indian Cosmetic Market5 L’Oreal in India6 Product7 Factors influencing Consumer Decisions8 Culture9 Personal Factors9 Changing Demographics9 Demand for Luxury Cosmetic Brands:9 Cosmetics for Men:10 Perceptions10 Colour Selection:10 Fair Skin Syndrome :10 Beliefs and Attitudes11 Harmful chemicals in cosmetics:11 Ayurvedic/Herbal Products are good for the skin :11 Social Factors12 Boom in Salon Care :12 Bollywood Influence on Cosmetic Industry :13 Packaging :13 Trends:13 Hair Care and styling:14 Conclusion15 References16 Executive Summary Cosmetic industry is one of the most profitable businesses globally. Over the past 15 years the cosmetic market has grown on average by 4. 5% a year. Resulting from the natural increase in the population and the raising levels of income in a large number of countries there is a huge potential for further growth in the cosmetic markets globally. However, the sales growth in mature markets in the western world is slowing and the focus is now shifting to the east. We will write a custom essay sample on LOreal in India or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the past 10 years due to improvements in the overall Human Development Index and per capita income most emerging markets particularly the BRIMC (Brazil, Russia, India, Mexico, China) there is more awareness of personal hygiene and more consciousness about personal grooming. Cosmetic producers and distributors globally have identified this potential and are expanding their businesses in to these new markets. With the increase in per capita income, urbanization , awareness about personal grooming and changing lifestyles India’s cosmetic market has huge development potential. With the demand for cosmetics increasing Indian markets are opening up to more and more multinational cosmetic companies. Since the liberalization many international brands like Avon, Burberrys, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Christian Dior, Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, Lancome, Chambor, Coty, LOreal, Oriflame, Revlon, LOreal, Yardley, Wella, Schwarzkopf, Escada, Nina Ricci, Rochas, Yves St. Laurent and Japanese cosmetics company, Shiseido have entered the Indian market. (State of Israel Ministry of Industry Trade Labour) L’Oreal founded in France is at present the world’s largest cosmetic producer by revenue. L’Oreal’s global network is very well established in emerging markets and is at present contributing to 33% of the sales. L’Oreal entered the India in 1990 and at present is one of the key foreign players in the Indian cosmetic Market. It is a challenge for any company to be successful in international markets as the factors affecting consumers buying decisions vary from one market to the other. The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a survey to explore the factors influencing Indian consumers purchasing decision of cosmetics and how L’Oreal has addressed these factors. Company Introduction The L’Oreal group was created in 1909 by a French chemist Eugene Schueller. By 1950 the company had acquired 100 products was present in Holland, Austria and Italy. Soon they expanded their business to US, South America, Russia and Far East. At present the L’Oreal group is the worlds largest cosmetic and beauty company represented in 130 different countries and owns a wide brand portfolio of 500 different brands providing diverse products ranging from hair colour, permanents, styling aids, body and skin care, cleansers and fragrances. writing service contracts L’Oreal also well known for its research and development work in the dermatological industry. 3% of its sales revenue is spent on research on cosmetology and dermatological research. It is also active in dermatological and pharmaceutical field and at present is the largest nanotechnology patent holder in the US. The distribution channels are diverse from hair salons to super markets and hypermarkets, health and beauty outlets and direct mail. Indian Cosmetic Market The total size of the Indian retail beauty and cosmetic market stands at U. S. 950 million, showing growth between 15-20 percent per year. This is twice as fast as the growth rate of United States and European Markets. The overall beauty and wellness market that includes beauty services stands at about $2,680 million. (Bhattacharya, 2007). Premium brands that are globally recognized are gaining acceptance amongst the Indian consumers as their exposure to these products have increased rapidly during the past few year s. The latest trends demonstrates that middle and high class Indian people spend a large portion of their money in cosmetic product or service. According to the latest Euromonitor report the Indian color cosmetic market stands at $4113. 4 million and skin care at $346. 9 million (Bhattacharya, 2007). Even with such high growth rates the per capita consumption of cosmetics in India is $0. 68 which is very low when compared to other Asian countries $ 40 in Hong Kong, $ 10 in Malaysia and Taiwan, 12 dollars in Japan and 1. 5 dollars of China. (The Times of India, 2008). However, the improvements in the per capita disposable income in India has resulted in cosmetic products to be considered as necessity products rather than Luxury products in the past. The cosmetics industry is dominated by key players who have a strong control on the market. Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Procter Gamble, LOreal, Garnier, Revlon, Maybelline, the group of Godrej, Dabur and Lakme are elements par excellence of this industry. Many multinationals are also introducing product ranges of its international portfolio for the Indian market to capture greater market share. L’Oreal in India L’Oreal 1st entered the booming Indian hair colour market in 1990, in partnership with MU group with the Ultra Doux range of hair care lip care products. L’Oreal set up its wholly-owned Indian subsidiary operation in 1994 with the launch of its GARNIER range of products from the low-end brand of their international portfolio bringing the â€Å"country-of-origin† formula to new markets. Translating from the â€Å"Consumer Product† segment to their â€Å"Professional Products† range, L’Oreal set up the Professional Product division in 1997 and set two development centres in New Delhi and Mumbai to train the salon owners and professional hairdressers. L’Oreal operates in India through four main divisions: consumer products, professional products, active cosmetics and luxury products. The biggest contributor to its revenue in India is the consumer products division led by its strongest brand in terms of sales — Garnier. LOreal products in India are marketed in a variety of distribution channels namely : mass market, pharmacies and salons. With the expansion of its market share LOreal introduced its skin care and make up offerings to India. The rise was also reflected in the change of the subsidiary in India from Indelor to â€Å"L’Oreal India Private Limited†. In 2002, looking at widening the portfolio along with deepening the product lines VICHY was launched of VICHY marking the introduction of â€Å"Active Cosmetics Department† which is a very niche, premium product from LOreal. Over the three years of its presence its coverage is just 80 chemists all over India. LOreal operates three divisions in India, including the Consumer Products Division LOreal Paris,, Maybelline New York and Garnier the Professional Products Division, which manages the salon business, and the Active Cosmetics Division with the Vichy brand of dermo-cosmetics. The main threat that LOreal face s in India comes from not just its direct competitors like Revlon, P, Nivea etc. but also from the traditional wisdom prevailing. So LOreal is fighting to bring in a whole new lifestyle here that requires a change in the way the Indian women think of grooming and also about the expenditure on it. LOreal today is present in over 300 Indian cities accessing 7 international portfolio brands. Registering a amazing double digit growth LOreal looks set to capture the Indian market in the coming years. Product L’Oreal cosmetics are well known amongst women of all ages and have a reputation for providing budget friendly but high quality cosmetic products. L’Oreal group markets 500 brands and more than 2000 products in all the sectors of beauty business. There are cosmetic products of European origin, American origin and Asian Origin. Refer Appendix 1 L’Oreal have a complete selection of cosmetic products including hair colour, skin care, Sun Protection, Make-up, Perfumes and Toiletries. The Product Categories Refer Appendix 2 Consumer products : High technology products offered at competitive prices through mass-market retailing channels ranging from haircare, skincare, make-up and perfume products that meet the aspirations of all of its customers. Professional products: Products created for salon professionals, ranging from colorants, hair care, texturing and styling formulas. Luxury products: Top of the range products made available via selective retail outlets (department stores, perfumeries, travel retail outlets, and the brands own boutiques) providing personalized advice at the point of sale. Active cosmetics : Dermo-cosmetic skin care products that are sold in pharmacies and specialist retailers. These products offer consumers proven safety and effectiveness supported by advice from pharmacists and dermatologists. Factors influencing Consumer Decisions When making a purchase decision there are many factors affecting the consumer’s decision. Most often why consumer by what they buy is deeply rooted in their subconscious as, ninety â€Å"ninety-five percent of the thought, emotion, and learning [that drive our purchases] occur in the unconscious mind- that is without our awareness† (Armstrong et al. 2005) These factors must be taken into consideration in order to reach target consumers effectively (see figure 2. 1) (Kotler et al. 2005). When organizing marketing campaigns organizations look at how their products are positioned against these various factors affecting the purchase decision of the preferred market segment. Marketing products such as L’Ore al cosmetics in a non native foreign market such as India, there are many factors influencing the consumer decision making that are different. Culture One major factor significantly influencing the consumer behavior of an individual is culture. In strict terms , culture is defined as a learned , persuasive , and shared set of orientations within a specific cluster of individuals in a given society (Perner , 2007). European markets being the home market for L’Oreal there is a vast difference between Indian market in terms of history, cultures and level of development. Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs cosmetics meet the esteem needs of people as cosmetic assist them in improving their image to gain acceptance, or to gain social status or social recognition. Esteems needs being high up in the hierarchy of needs, the Indian culture has a huge impact on psychology and consumer purchase decision making process at all levels. Personal Factors Changing Demographics : Unlike many countries where the aging population exceeds the young population creating high dependency ratio, India has a young and rapidly growing population. It is expected that this new generation will result in an overall increase of 70% of Indian GDP. Since increasing number of women in the age group 22 to 45 becoming independent and joining the work force instead being a stay at home moms there is more demand for cosmetic products . These women have the disposable income and the decision making power to buy what they want (Bhattacharya, 2007). This has resulted in high demand for cosmetics in India. With the increasing literacy rate, Indian consumers are becoming more conscious about personal grooming and the demand for high-quality cosmetic products has increased rapidly. Hence, there is a huge demand for world-renowned brands of cosmetic products in India. Demand for Luxury Cosmetic Brands: With the rapidly increasing number of millionaires in India, the market for luxury brands is growing annually at a compound average growth rate (CAGR) 35% especially since the emerging young urban population of India, combined with high disposable income are increasingly looking for lifestyle-oriented and luxury products with an internationally recognized brand. Based on Nielsen Global Luxury Brand study (March 2008) India has the 3rd highest brand conscious population in the world. L’Oreal being an internationally recognized cosmetic brand has introduced luxury product lines such as Lancome, Bodyshop and active cosmetics such as Vichy to India. Cosmetics for Men: Cosmetics and toiletries are not just the domain of women any longer. Men are the emerging market of cosmetic and skin care. (SPC Asia, 2006) Indian men are increasingly taking to the use of more and more body sprays, perfumes and other cosmetics and toiletries. With rising demand from men, the Indian cosmetic market is getting enlarged and many players are coming out with cosmetic products especially skin care products for men. The market size of mens personal care segment is estimated at approximately US$ 165million, with Gillette having the largest market share. Other major players in this segment include Godrej, J. L. Morison and HLL. L’Oreal has introduced their â€Å"Menexpert† and â€Å"Garnier† cosmetic range for this new consumer segment in India. Refer Appendix 3 Perceptions Colour Selection: The culture has an impact on people’s perception of shapes, colours and space. How people interpret different colours can be based on their job, age, gender, status or even religious beliefs. For an example red is considered to be a colour of celebration for Indians where black is considered to be colour of mourning. In cosmetic fields, the choice of Aishwariya Rai to represent L’Oreal Paris is also a symbol of Indian beauty. When producing colour cosmetics these perceptions are taken in to account as it drives the consumer demand. L’Oreal has large range of colour pallets to suite specific Indian consumer preferences. For an example introduction of gold and colors, jade, Indian pink, turquoise, orange and browns for Indian cosmetic markets. . Fair Skin Syndrome : Almost all cultures around the world have a preference towards fair skin tone. The desire for pale skin amongst Indians are emerging from the history where based on the complex social hierarchy or the cast system. In addition to this history of colonization by lighter-skinned invaders from the west for 200 years, the concept of fairness being superior is embedded deep within the Indian psyche. According to Mr. Venkatramani who oversees the skin care category at Unilevers Indian unit, the definition of beauty in the Western world is linked to anti-aging, where In Asia, its all about being two shades lighter†. Skin lightening creams are by far the most popular categories in India skin-care market and valued at $318M. LOreal has identified this huge market potential and has entered this specific market 1st with â€Å"Garnier† and next with their super highend line â€Å"Vichy†. However, L’Oreal products so far have a small market share. The major players in this segment are Lakme, Ponds, Fair Lovely with a 50 percent market share, followed by players such as Nivea, Godrej and  Revlon. Beliefs and Attitudes Harmful chemicals in cosmetics: Customer possesses specific belief and attitude towards various products mostly driven by cultural norms. These beliefs and attitudes make up brand image and affect consumer buying behaviour. Even though cosmetic products are regulated and tested prior to be made available in the markets, there are still concerns amongst consumers regarding the presence of harmful chemicals in these products. Since consumer protection regulations with regards to cosmetic product are not present in India, Indian consumers are much more reluctant to accept safety of cosmetic products. L’Oreal has identified theses consumer concerns and has taken steps to gain consumer confidence for their products by promoting the concept of â€Å"caring through makeup† by highlighting the products’ natural ingredients when advertising. Ayurvedic/Herbal Products are good for the skin :Ayurveda is known to originate in India around 1500 BC influenced by Hindu religion and is embedded in to the Indian culture. Products that initially originated as Ayuvedic medicine expanded to herbal products and herbal cosmetics. The Indian â€Å"herbal† care market is currently valued at $630 million. Bhattacharya,2007) Made from natural local herbs extracts or plants like Turmeric, honey, tulsi, pudina, saffron, herbal/ ayurvedic products are very close to Indian consumers. Indian women influenced by Ayurwedic treatments use herbs and natural ingredients as part of their beauty care. Taking the opportunity of growing concerns of harmful chemical in cosmetics consumer p references Indian Herbal/ ayurvedic cosmetic producers like Himalaya, Lotus and Jovel are drawing customers to their all natural cosmetic products. Even the existing players too have expanded their range to include herbal variants for an example Hindustan Lever recently introduced the herbal version of Fair Lovely fairness creme. L’Oreal has more than 70% certified organic ingredients in their products. L’Oreal brand Body Shop recently introduced its Ayuvedic product range â€Å"Nutriganics â€Å"to attract this consumer segment. Social Factors Boom in Salon Care :For a customer who needs more than a trim, a visit to a hairdresser in India has traditionally been something of a hair-raising experience. O’Connor, 2010) However, beauty salons in India are no longer only about the usual hair cut-and-dry routine. With the out-look towards personal grooming and beauty is changing in the Indian society. Beauty is no longer for the rich and famous. With the boom in the salon and spa industry there is large demand for salon and spa care products in India. L’Oreal salon care products lead in this industry be cause they were the trend setters where they opened up the L’Oreal Hair Beauty Academy to train salon professionals in 2006. Over the past decade they have trained close to 30,000 professionals. Today, LOreal markets its range of specialized hair care products exclusively through salons and beauty parlours. LOreal currently is the only company in the market that has a hair colour range tailored exclusively for parlours. Bollywood Influence on Cosmetic Industry :Indian film industry â€Å"Bollywood† has a tremendous influence on the growth of the cosmetic industry in India. Actors and actresses are considered as style icons of youth of India. L’Oreal has identified the impact of Bollywood and movie star glamour on building consumer confidence as well as improving sales of their cosmetics range. L’Oreal has selected young and trendy Sonam Kapoor and Miss World pageant winner and established Bollywood actress Ayishwarya Rai and Bollywood heartthrob John Abraham to endorse their new product lines. Refer Appendix 4 Packaging : Packaging is an integral part of the product and identity. It also preserves efficacy and performance in different local conditions of storage, distribution and use. Given the price-sensitivity of the Indian consumers, they do not normally prefer to spend a large sum of money at one time. Hence, many cosmetic and toiletries companies launched their products in smaller pack sizes to make them more affordable and attractive to the average consumers. By selling products in tubes instead of bottles, for example, or by using smaller-format bottles or sachets, L’Oreal is able to offer consumers in all markets innovation at the right price Trends: Trends are long lasting because they emerge from collective needs of consumers that is part of their culture. With the popularity of satellite Television and a wide variety of television channels as well as Internet, more and more Indian consumers are constantly exposed to wide variety of global cosmetic brands creating more brand awareness which often translates to sales. They are linked to consumers’ behaviour and psychological patterns that refect their unique culture. With the increased exposure to global fashion trends, lifestyle trends and glory in international beauty pageants, has given a boost to the Indian cosmetic industry. The Young Indian population are more interested in keeping up with global fashion trends such as whitening boom, eco friendly trend, natural trend, peter pan trend as well as neo-femininity trends. Refer Appendix 5. Cosmetic producers such as L’Oreal has been innovative in predicting these trends and making right products available at the right time. Hair Care and styling: As has always been the case in every country since history began, hair still possesses powerful symbolic and reminiscent properties. Dark Eyes, long black hair are two things that are considered as attraction in the Indian culture. At present 85% of Indian women have long hair. Most young girls are encouraged to wear their hair from young age. When maintaining long to medium long hair, hair fall and breakage are main issues faced by Indian women. In the past hair care meant oil massage and shampoo, now more and more users have started adding conditioners to their hair care list. They do like to use hair serums as a way to tame frizz and improve shine. L’Oreal has introduced â€Å"Total Repair 5† shampoo and conditioner to meet these specific consumer demands. Traditionally Indians have been non experimental with hair styling. Due to increase in awareness, with more available global fashion trends, Indian consumers are more open to styling their hair by, perming, colouring, straightening ,re-bonding or even using hair spray, gels and hair cremes. L’Oreal professional dominate these growing markets. L’Oreal has even introduced its Kerastase Institute’s premium hair care service to create more awareness and feed the fashion and beauty aspirations of India consumers. Conclusion India is one of the emerging in the cosmetic industry. Being a country rich in culture there are many elements affecting the consumer purchase decisions. Potential growth in Indian cosmetic market is unlimited. There are lot of customers who have the resources to buy what they want. If company within the marketing industry properly and effectively advertises their products or services, there would be a great demand for them. Therefore, it is important to know how to properly market the specific product within the Indian culture. In conclusion as a global cosmetic brand L’Oreal has been up to date very successful in moving away from its self reference criteria and embracing the Indian culture to gain consumer acceptance. However, the market conditions are fast changing. Hence, continuous efforts needs to be taken to ensure proactive solutions are offered to Indian consumers to capture the growing market share. References Bhattacharya, P. (2006) India’s Cosmetic Market Ready for Big Leap,. Global Cosmetic Industry. Issue 1, Retrieved on :Wednesday, 22 December 2010 from : http://www. cimagazine. com/marketstrends/regions/bric/30806969. html Indias cosmetics market set to grow, (Jan 6, 2008), The Times of India Retrieved on Wednesday, 22 December 2010 from; http://timesofindia. indiatimes. com/business/india-business/Indias-cosmetics-market-set-to-grow/articleshow/2678458. cms#ixzz18xh6erla Kotler, P. , et al. ( 2005), Principles of Marketing Sankhe, S. , at all (2010), India’s urban awaken ing: Building Inclusive Cities, sustaining economic growth, Mckinsey Company Retrieved on Wednesday, 25 December 2010 from : ttp://www. mckinsey. com/mgi/reports/freepass_pdfs/india_urbanization/MGI_india_urbanization_fullreport. pdf State of Israel Ministry of Industry Trade Labour, Indian Cosmetics Market – 2004, Retrieved On: Wednesday, 25 December 2010 from : http://www. tamas. gov. il/NR/exeres/2F7DC4F0-48C2-45BE-AFB3-86E5E9CF993C. htm O’Connor, A. (2007), Sharp-eyed L’Oreal gets head start in India, The Sunday Times, Retrieved on Wednesday, 22 December 2010 from; http://business. timesonline. co. uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/consumer_goods/article2980264. ce Appendix 1 L’Oreal Cosmetics Range [pic] Appendix 2 Product Range Appendix 3 Appendix 4: [pic] Appendix 5: Trends Whitening Trend: New Interpretations Pinking White: Beautiful skin is pinkish white,look natural just like a baby’s skin.. radiant like having aura. Healthy Flawless: Beautiful skin is not pale white butradiant and flawless skin. Overall the skin must be healthy Natural White: Beautiful skin is white and bright with fine texture. no need to be white like European people. Must look natural Peter Pan Trend Fear of old age: Fear of old age, wrinkles and aging. Preventative care to slow the aging. Happiness in Life: Remaining attractive to stable happy family life. Fit In/Feel Confident : Feeling less confident with age. Need to look young to catch up with peers of same age. Neo Femininity Trends Femininity Fever : Show feminine side and bring out the sex appeal of women but still have the elements of confidence and modernity Changing perspective of gender role: Support the traditional gender role-cute fragile and lovable rather than being equal to male counterpart Back to Basic Trends Natural Look Emphasize on creating bright and radiant skin. Nude look, flawless finish, groomed and sophisticated. Looking younger, less make-up. Eco-Beauty Trend Using eco friendly products. Go green trend and environment friendly packaging Green cosmetics Natural Trend High perceived benefits like longer lasting beauty. Synthetic products contains chemicals that can harm your health. Ayuwedic products are naturally clean and good for health.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Financial Analysis Of AGL And Genesis Energy Limited Sample

Question: Discuss about the Financial Analysis of AGL and Genesis Energy Limited. Answer: Introduction Financial analysis using the ratios as the main tool help in understanding the trends in the items contained in the income statements, balance sheet and cash flow statement. There are many performance indicators like increase/decrease in net income in current year as compared to previous year. Such indicators will help to review the financial performance of AGL Energy Limited and Genesis Energy Limited. Brief Introduction to Companies AGL Energy Limited AGL Energy Limited is the Australian leading company and it is publically listed on the Australian Exchange. AGL Energy Limited deals in the energy industry and aims to provide the energy products and services to the people in Australia. AGL Energy Limited is the leading producer of the electricity in Australia and also distributes the electricity to the households (Annual Report 2015: AGL Energy Limited). The main sources used by the company for production of electricity are natural gas, thermal power, wind power, hydroelectricity and coal. Company is also actively involved in reducing the green house gas emission through providing clean source of energy to the people. AGL Energy Limited has an experience of more than 17 decades in generation and distribution of electricity. The main functional area of the company is the Eastern Australia. Genesis Energy Limited Genesis Energy Limited is the New Zealand based company and also publically listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Genesis Energy Limited is one of the competitors of AGL Energy Limited and deals in same industry as AGL Energy Limited. Company provides its services in all the major states of the New Zealand. It has noted that Genesis Energy Limited is biggest electricity and natural retailing company with share of 26 % and 42% respectively. This company has more than 636,676 customers in New Zealand that makes it the biggest retail electricity company in New Zealand (Annual Report 2015: Genesis Energy Limited). Genesis Energy Limited aims to provide clean, smart and conventional sources of energy that helps to reduce the carbon emissions in the environment. Financial Statement Analysis Trends in the items of income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement AGL Energy Limited is known for their financial performance and there is continuous growth in the gross profit in last five years (2011 to 2015). There was decrease in net profit in year 2015 as compare to year 2014. EPS decreased to 33.3 cents in year 2015 in comparison to 98.2 cents in year 2014. Current assets represent working capital and decrease in current assets leads to poor performance. There was almost 50 % decrease in cash and cash equivalents in year 2015 as compare to year 2014. Trade receivables remain same in both the years that mean company has not framed better strategies to recover the receivables more frequently (Walton, 2000). There was an increase in the non current assets and it was marked by increase in plant and machinery and oil and gas assets. There was increase in current liabilities in year 2015 when compared to year 2014 and such increase has not been compensated by the current assets. This shows the poor performance of the company in year 2015. AGL Energ y Limited has earned cash and cash equivalents of 1,044 million dollars from operating activities in year 2015 and this cash has been used to finance the new plant and machinery (Annual Report 2015: AGL Energy Limited). There has increase in net provided by the operating activities in year 2015. It has been noted that net cash used in investing activity has been increased to 2,175 million dollars in year 2015 as compare to 769 million dollars in year 2014. Company has taken borrowing of 2,647 million dollars in year 2015 and it is 572 million dollars more than borrowing taken in year 2014. It shows that company is using more debt capital to finance the business. Genesis Energy Limited Genesis Energy Limited has performed well in year 2015 and it is reflected through its financial statements. Net profit of the year has been increased to 104.8 million dollars in year 2015 from 49.2 million dollars in year 2014. Earning per share increased to 10.49 cents in year 2015 from 4.92 cents in year 2014 that indicates increasing trend in the earnings of the company (Sagner, 2010). There was slight decrease in value of current assets but there is increase in value of current liabilities. It shows that company has fewer assets to pay its current liabilities. Genesis Energy Limited has generated 318.5 million dollars from the operating activities and such amount has been used to pay the debt (Annual Report 2015: Genesis Energy Limited). There was increasing trend in the cash generated from the operating activities. Investment made by the Genesis Energy Limited in year 2015 has been decreased to 48.6 million dollars as compare to 82.9 million dollars in year 2014. There was incr ease in cash outflows in financing activities due to repayments of borrowing and increase in dividend amount (Houston and Brigham, 2009). Financial Ratios Financials ratios of both the companies have been calculated using the absolute figures from the annual reports and results obtained has been shown below in the form of table. Profitability Analysis Ratio Calculations Particulars Formula 2014 2015 Return on assets Net Profit / Average Total Assets AGL Energy Limited 4.03% 1.38% Genesis Energy Limited 1.36% 2.97% Net Profit Margin Net Profit / Net Revenue AGL Energy Limited 5.46% 2.04% Genesis Energy Limited 2.45% 5.00% There is decrease in return on asset ratio of AGL Energy Limited in year 2015 by 2.65 % as compare to year 2014. On the other hand, there was increase in return of assets ratio in year 2015 by 2.97 % (Bull, 2007). Net profit margin ratio has decreased to 2.04 % in year 2015 in case of AGL Energy Limited showing a decrease of 3.42 % as compare to year 2014. While net profit ratio of Genesis Energy Limited has increased in year 2015. Liquidity Analysis Ratio Calculations Current Ratio Current Assets /Current Liabilities 2014 2015 AGL Energy Limited 1.57 1.46 Genesis Energy Limited 1.45 1.12 Quick Ratio Quick Assets / Current Liabilities AGL Energy Limited 1.49 1.29 Genesis Energy Limited 1.07 0.86 There was slight decrease in the current ratio in case of AGL Energy Limited in year 2015 and also there was decrease in current ratio of Genesis Energy Limited in the same year (Mumba, 2013). Quick Asset ratio decreased to 1.29 times in year 2015 as compare to 1.49 in 2014 in case of AGL Energy Limited. Quick ratio of Genesis Energy Limited also got reduced to 0.86 times in year 2015 as compare to 1.07 in 2014 (Fridson and Alvarez, 2011). Capital Structure Analysis Ratio Calculations Debt to Equity Ratio Total Debt / Shareholders Equity 2014 2015 AGL Energy Limited 0.86 0.80 Genesis Energy Limited 0.93 0.93 Equity Ratio Total Equity / Total Assets AGL Energy Limited 0.54 0.56 Genesis Energy Limited 0.52 0.52 Debt to equity ratio of AGL Energy Limited decrease to 0.80 in year 2015 as compare to 0.86 in 2014 that indicates decrease in debt in year 2015 (Gtze, Northcott and Schuster, 2007). While there was no change in debt equity ratio of Genesis Energy Limited. Equity ratio of AGL Energy Limited has increased to 0.56 in 2015 as compare to 0.54 in year 2014. Whereas, there was no change in equity ratio of Genesis Energy Limited. Market Performance Ratio Calculations Earning per Share Profit attributable for shareholders / Number of common Stock (Shares) 2014 2015 AGL Energy Limited $ 0.979 $ 0.375 Genesis Energy Limited $ 0.049 $ 0.105 Dividend per Share Total Dividend Distributed / Number of Common Stock (Shares) AGL Energy Limited $ 0.603 $ 0.665 Genesis Energy Limited $ 0.146 $ 0.121 Earning per share of AGL Energy Limited has decreased to 0.375 dollars in year 2015 as compare to 0.979 in 2014 (Trading Economics, 2016). This decrease is due to increase expenses in year 2015. On this other hand EPS of Genesis Energy Limited has increased to 0.105 dollars as compare to 0.049 in 2014. This indicates poor performance of AGL Energy Limited as compare to performance of Genesis Energy Limited. AGL Energy Limited has paid good dividend in year 2015 due to higher profits in year 2014 (Brigham and Ehrhardt, 2011). Conclusion The financial analysis helps the investors to review the financial performance of the companies before making any investment decisions. In this report, financial analysis of AGL Energy Limited and Genesis Energy Limited has been conducted and all results are properly discussed. Despite of numerous benefits of ratio analysis there are certain limitations. Financial are not the true representatives of financial performance of the company as it shows the companys performance for particular time period. Ratio analysis at various points in the year can be more worthy and meaningful. Recommendation It is highly suggested to the investors on the basis of trend analysis and ratio analysis to not invest in AGL Energy Limited due to lower profit and decreasing trend in year 2015. Also, there is no expectation for good performance in next year. On the other hand Genesis Energy has performed well and results indicate the company will earn higher benefits in future year. In year 2015, Genesis Energy has provided very good dividends to the shareholders as compare to AGL Energy Limited. References Annual Report (2015). Genesis Energy Limited. Retrieved August 31, 2016 from https://www.genesisenergy.co.nz/en_GB/reports-and-presentations Annual Report (2015). AGL Energy Limited. Retrieved August 31, 2016 from https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/article-list/2015/august/agl-annual-report-2015 Brigham, E. F. and Ehrhardt, M. C. (2011). Financial Management: Theory and Practice. Mason: Cengage Learning. Bull, R. (2007). Financial Ratios: How to use financial ratios to maximize value and success for your businesses. Elsevier. Drake, P. P. and Fabozzi, F. J. (2012). Analysis of Financial Statements. John Wiley Sons. Fridson, M. S. and Alvarez, F. (2011). Financial Statement Analysis: A Practitioner's Guide. John Wiley Sons. Gtze, U., Northcott, D. and Schuster, P. (2007). Investment Appraisal: Methods and Models. Springer. Houston, J.F. and Brigham, E.F. (2009). Fundamentals of Financial Management. Cengage Learning. Mumba, C. (2013). Understanding Accounting and Finance: Theory and Practice. USA: Trafford Publishing. Sagner, J. (2010). Essentials of Working Capital Management. USA: John Wiley Sons. Trading Economics. (2016). AGL Energy EPS Earnings Per Share. Retrieved August 31, 2016 from https://www.tradingeconomics.com/agl:au:eps . Walton, P. (2000). Financial Statement Analysis: An International Perspective. Cengage Learning EMEA.