(L. OBJ. 4) Measuring profitability [10 min] Use the financial statements of Low’s Comp...

(L. OBJ. 4) Measuring profitability [10 min]

Use the financial statements of Low’s Companies in Short Exercise 14-5 to complete the following profitability measures for 2011.

Requirements

1. Compute the rate of return on net sales.

2. Compute the rate of return on total assets. Interest expense for 2011 was $0.4 billion.

3. Compute the rate of return on common stockholders’ equity.

4. Are these rates of return strong or weak? Explain your reasoning.