Question

Compute and Interpret Liquidity, Solvency and Coverage Ratios
Selected balance sheet and income statement information for Calpine Corporation for 2004 and 2006 follows.

($ millions)	2004	2006
Cash	$ 1,256.73	$ 1,523.36
Accounts receivable	1,097.16	735.30
Current assets	3,313.56	3,268.33
Current liabilities	3,285.39	6,057.95
Long-term debt	17,150.81	3,531.63
Short-term debt	1,033.96	4,568.83
Total liabilities	22,898.42	25,503.17
Interest expense	1,516.90	1,288.29
Capital expenditures	1,545.48	211.50
Equity	4,587.67	(7,152.90)
Cash from operations	19.89	335.98
Earnings before interest and taxes	1,659.84	1,907.84

(a) Compute the following liquidity, solvency and coverage ratios for both years. (Round your answers to two decimal places.)
2006 current ratio = Answer
2004 current ratio = Answer

2006 quick ratio = Answer
2004 quick ratio = Answer

2006 liabilities-to-equity = Answer
2004 liabilities-to-equity = Answer

2006 total debt-to-equity = Answer
2004 total debt-to-equity = Answer

2006 times interest earned = Answer
2004 times interest earned = Answer

2006 cash from operations to total debt = Answer
2004 cash from operations to total debt = Answer

2006 free operating cash flow to total debt = Answer
2004 free operating cash flow to total debt = Answer

(b) Which of the following best describes the company's credit risk?

Both the quick ratio and current ratio for 2006 are lower than 1.0 and have decreased in the past two years. Along with interest coverage ratios that are exceedingly low, the probability that the company will face default has significantly increased.

Both the quick ratio and current ratio for 2006 are lower than 1.0 and have increased in the past two years. Along with interest coverage ratios that are exceedingly high, the probability that the company will face default has significantly increased.

Both the quick ratio and current ratio for 2006 are above 1.0 and have decreased in the past two years. Along with interest coverage ratios that are exceedingly low, the probability that the company will face default has significantly decreased.

Both the quick ratio and current ratio for 2006 are above 1.0 and have increased in the past two years. Along with interest coverage ratios that are exceedingly high, the probability that the company will face default has significantly decreased.

Answer 1

Part a.
Current ratio = Current assets / Current liabilities
2006 Current ratio = 3268.33/6057.95 = 0.54
2004 Current ratio = 3313.56/3285.39 = 1.01
Quick ratio = (Cash + Receivables) / Current liabilities
2006 Quick ratio = (1523.36 + 735.30)/6057.95 = 0.37
2004 Quick ratio = (1256.73 + 1097.16)/3285.39 = 0.72
Liabilities to Equity = Total Liabilities / Shareholder equity
2006 liabilities-to-equity = 25503.17/(-7152.90) = -3.57
2004 liabilities-to-equity = 22898.42/4587.67 = 4.99
Debt to Equity = Total Debt / Shareholder equity
2006 total debt-to-equity = (3531.63+4568.83)/(-7152.90) = -1.13
2004 total debt-to-equity = (17150.81+1033.96)/4587.67 = 3.96
Times interest earned = Operating profit / Interest
2006 times interest earned = 1907.84/1288.29 = 1.48
2004 times interest earned = 1659.84/1516.90 = 1.09
Cash from operations to total debt = Operating cash flow / Total debt
2006 cash from operations to total debt = 335.98/(3531.63+4568.83) = 0.04
2004 cash from operations to total debt = 19.89/(17150.81+1033.96) = 0.00
Free operating cash flow to total debt = Free operating cash flow / Total debt
2006 free operating cash flow to total debt = (335.98-211.50)/(3531.63+4568.83) = 0.02
2004 free operating cash flow to total debt = (19.89-1545.48)/(17150.81+1033.96) = -0.08
Part b.
Which of the following best describes the company's credit risk?
Answer : Both the quick ratio and current ratio for 2006 are lower than 1.0 and have decreased in the past two years. Along with interest coverage ratios that are exceedingly low, the probability that the company will face default has significantly increased.