Problem

Business Applications Case Performing ratio analysis usingreal-world dataMerck&Company...

Business Applications Case Performing ratio analysis using


real-world data

Merck&Company is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. The following data

 were taken from the company's 2008 annual report.

ATC 11-4

 

December 31, 2008

December 31, 2007

Net earnings (in millions) Earnings per share

$7,808.4 $3.66

$3,275.4 $1.51

The following data were taken from public stock-price quotes:

 

 

Stock price per share on March 2,2009

(Two months after the end of Merck's 2008 fiscal year.]

 

$23.44

Stock price per share on March 3,2008

(Two months after the end of Merck's 2007 fiscal year.)

 

$44.06

Required

a. Compute Merck's price-earnings ratio for March 2, 2009, and March 3. 2008.


b. Did the financial markets appear to be more optimistic about Merck's future performance on March 3, 2008, or March 2, 2009?


c. Based on the information provided, estimate approximately how many shares of stock Merck had outstanding as of December 31, 2008

Step-by-Step Solution

Request Professional Solution

Request Solution!

We need at least 10 more requests to produce the solution.

0 / 10 have requested this problem solution

The more requests, the faster the answer.

Request! (Login Required)


All students who have requested the solution will be notified once they are available.
Add your Solution
Textbook Solutions and Answers Search