Citigroup in post-WTO China Analyze and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Citibank as they apply to banking in China, and indicate whether other Citigroup activities can build on Citibank's China experience.
GROUP CASE WRITE-UP Citigroup in post-WTO China . Analyze and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Citibank as they apply to banking in China, and indicate whether other Citigroup activities can build on Citibank's China experience. Citibank can rely on many advantages to penetrate the Chinese market. Its huge experience with the developing markets first provides the bank a reliable and efficient mainframe to face the difficulties of the buoyant Chinese market. Moreover, China is an historic location for Citibank activities since the group has been present there since 1902. With the first liberalisation phase launched by Deng Xiaoping, Citibank was one of the first foreign banks to reach anew the Chinese shores. Both this specific ability to deal with high-risky markets and this first-coming policy give the bank the opportunity to develop an efficient and well-rooted network in China. Consequently, the bank can boast of having a real top-of-mind brand (professionalism, deep knowledge of the market etc.) among the foreign companies implemented in China. Thus the Bank developed its recognition in China not only with the foreign companies but also with government itself. Regarding the professionalism for example, the managers of the PBOC implemented the Citibank audit procedures to the institution so that China could have a top of the art process of audit for its
Sysco Corp. Financial Ratio Analysis
Sysco Corp. Financial Ratio Analysis Abstract The present assessment evaluates the financial situation of Sysco Corporation. Ratio analysis was conducted on the financial statements for the years 1999-2003. This analysis was evaluated on a trend basis and compared to some key current industry indicators. Likewise, other non-financial considerations, the annual report's message to shareholders and the company's future perspective are assessed. Introduction Sysco Corp.'s (known as SYY in the NY stock market) core business is to market and distribute food and related products to the food-service industry. It is classified in the "groceries and related products nec" industry (SIC 5149), although it has several other secondary SIC classifications due to the wide array of products the company handles. The company's customer base is composed of restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, and other food-service customers. The company is operationally divided into two segments: Broadline and Sygma. These two segments distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to traditional and chain restaurant customers. By the end of June, 2003, the corporation operated 162 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. In fiscal 2003, the group acquired Reed Distributors Inc, J&B Foodservice, Abbott Foods Inc. and Asian
'Consumers demand that timber should be sourced from sustainable forests' To what extent are the actions of the Canadian forestry companies and regulators sufficient to meet these consumer expectations?
'Consumers demand that timber should be sourced from sustainable forests' To what extent are the actions of the Canadian forestry companies and regulators sufficient to meet these consumer expectations? Forests are an integral part of Canada and the Canadian way of life. Forests cover half of Canada's landmass, around 417million hectares (Natural Resources Canada, 1997, pg 4), and are fundamental to Canadian culture, history and not least the economy. In 2001 the forest industry was estimated to be worth $44.1 billion in trade surplus and employed 353,000 nationally, while acting as a backdrop for the tourist industry (Canadian Forest Service, 2002). It is little wonder then that the issue of forest sustainability is taken very seriously. Forest sustainability has become increasing important on a world scale as the profile of the planets environmental problems has risen over the past decade. Canadian forestry companies and regulators have responded by leading the way in sustainable forest management and can boast some of the worlds most well balanced and natural forests. However like most countries Canada has somewhat of a chequered history with regards exploiting its natural resources. This image needs to be improved if Canada is to keep its consumers happy. The sustainable forest industry is a balancing act between the forests many uses. Canada is unique in that 94% of
Lululemon financial analysis. Lululemon Athletica is a yoga-inspired retail store that produces athletic apparel that promotes healthy and active living. Established in 1998, lululemon has been able to grow as an international athletic brand, with 124 sto
Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 The Company and Its Position in the Market 4 Accounting, Finance, Legal and Environmental Issues 6 Primary Shareholders 7 Restated Statements & Policy Changes 7 Discontinued Operations 8 Legal Issues 8 Environmental Issues 9 Horizontal and Vertical Analysis 11 Profitability Ratios 12 Liquidity 14 Solvency 15 Investment Recommendation 17 Business Tenets 17 Management Tenets 17 Financial Tenets 18 Recommendation 18 Bibliography 19 Figure 1: Lululemon Sales by Segment - Fiscal Year 2010 22 Figure 2: Lululemon Sales by Country - Fiscal Year 2010 22 Appendix A-J 23 Executive Summary Lululemon Athletica is a yoga-inspired retail store that produces athletic apparel that promotes healthy and active living. Established in 1998, lululemon has been able to grow as an international athletic brand, with 124 stores across Canada, the United States, and Australia. Lululemon has consistently developed unique athletic products and demonstrated innovative marketing techniques to gain market share, in the highly competitive athletic apparel industry. Dominated by large well-established corporations, lululemon has grown their niche by marketing their products to women that are both socially and physically conscious, that strives to create a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle. Lululemon has no significant changes in reporting
Friction in Financial Markets - Measuring and Examining the Liquidity of Financial Assets
Friction in Financial Markets Measuring and Examining the Liquidity of Financial Assets Cathal J. Byrne 00507571 "The distinguishing feature of those financial instruments which are quoted on the stock exchange is that, in theory, these securities can be bought and sold at any time." J. Rutterford, Introduction to Stock Exchange Investment, 1993. Explain the concept of friction in financial markets. How does liquidity affect friction? Friction is a concept that has become the centre of increased academic examination over the last thirty years. Prior dismissal of its importance under the efficient-market hypothesis has been replaced with intrigue and interest in improving the activities that underpin the market mechanism. Academics the world over have delved into the domain of liquidity, cutting open the chaotic fabric of financial markets in search of a utopian low-cost market devoid of information asymmetries. When markets are liquid and trading is cheap people are less fearful of losses, are more likely to buy and sell regularly and have a greater propensity to instil bullish sentiment. By opening our eyes to the existence of friction, we can overcome it, by passing legislation and ensuring the implementation of new procedures to ratify any existing market incoherence or failings. Tighter markets are more efficient and more desirable. By understanding friction, we
![The following report analyses the factors involved which has forced 'Williams Garden Furniture Ltd' [WGF] into problems for future development.](https://mbt-essays-prod-public.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/83398/listing/83398_1.jpg)
The following report analyses the factors involved which has forced 'Williams Garden Furniture Ltd' [WGF] into problems for future development.
The following report analyses the factors involved which has forced 'Williams Garden Furniture Ltd' [WGF] into problems for future development. Initially, the small business consisting of 40 employees, was well known in the garden furniture sector but through poor management and external factors the expansion and very future of WGF is questionable. The small firm needs to review its position by adopting the following analytical procedure: * Where are the current problems and issues * Where does the business see itself in the future * What will have to be done to get there By analysing WGF using the 'SWOT Analysis' technique, this should identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This can then be used in the development of a number of strategic options, which should attempt to tackle opportunities and threats, build on corporate strengths and avoid weaknesses. This then provides management with the relevant information upon which to determine future strategy. Strengths * Expansion from micro to small business * Early success was due to recruitment of some highly skilled middle aged craft workers * Produced quality garden furniture products (up market) sold in department stores and garden centres throughout the UK Weaknesses * Outdated equipment * Sub-standard products being produced * Bad utilisation of raw materials * Communication problems
Financial statements have many uses and objectives in that it can "communicate financial information about an entity to permit informed judgements and decisions by users of the information" (American Accounting Association).
"The objective of financial statements is to provide information about the reporting entity's financial performance and financial position that is useful to a wide range of users for assessing the stewardship of the entity's management and for making economic decisions". Financial statements have many uses and objectives in that it can "communicate financial information about an entity to permit informed judgements and decisions by users of the information" (American Accounting Association). The ASB's statement of principles for financial reporting echoes this statement, and also emphasises the point that financial statements are also useful to analyse an entity's financial performance and position, through profit and loss accounts, and an entity's balance sheet. The uses and objective of financial statements do not stop here - they can be used by management for decision making, stewardship, predictions of the future based on past results, and for some entity's it is a legal requirement to produce annual reports according to the Company Act 1985. Financial reports, such as those released by Sainsbury's Plc on an annual basis, also have a wide and diverse range of users. A main user of financial statements is the management of Sainsbury's Plc. The term 'management' is very broad and could refer to management at the level of managers in the entity's stores. Or it could refer
Assessing the validity of Corporate Social Responsibility: Do we really need it?
. RESEARCH QUESTION Assessing the validity of Corporate Social Responsibility: Do we really need it? 2. PROJECT ISSUE / HYPOTHESIS Corporate Social Responsibility: "This is a term which seems to have been on everyone's lips for a generation now and yet it is rarely defined" (Weston 1997)1. Akin to the actual concept of Corporate Social Responsibility2, its definitions tend to be ambiguous. Through my preliminary research3, I have discovered that the numerous views surrounding CSR tend to differ across different markets and professions4 With this in mind, I plan to test the main views by examining the relevant and concise case studies against benchmark factors such as: * How the global community (stakeholders) may view such an approach from a company and if they would pay attention to the efforts; * Does it build relations with stakeholders and shareholders? This paper will conclude with a summary of the main arguments and the final view as to whether or not CSR is needed in the business environment. 3. METHODOLOGY The aim of this paper is to research and assess the various arguments concerning the concept of CSR. 3.1. Summary of the Academic Research Required: I plan to research and investigate: (a) Various academics think tanks, and the views of business and the European Commission5 surrounding CSR; (b) A company that has a reputable CSR record6; (c) The
Bid price strategy in contraction bidding
Bid price strategy in contraction bidding Introduction The bid price is the most important factor that is used to determine the successful bidder in a competitive tender. Sometimes the bidder submits a high enough bid price that the bidder can make a profit, but he loses the job. Sometimes the bidder submits a low bid price and gets the job, but he loses the profit. The bidder determines the bid price is based on the business objective. If the bidder wants to enlarge the market share, he will give a low bidder price to achieve that goal. If the bidder wants to make more profit, he will submit a reasonable high bid price. Therefore it is needed to be considered and discussed how to use the right price strategy to submit a bid price with lowest price and maximum profit. In this essay, a review of the bid price will be provided that includes the review the bid price and the factors that the contractors need to consider when set bid price. After that a discussion about the bid price strategy, which enable the bidder to submit a bid price with lowest price and maximum profit, will be provided. Review of bid price According to A J Smith(1995) stated, the Bid price is the sum of net project cost estimate, the overheads, the additional project financing costs, the required profit and the risk margin. And Spence Geddes(1985) stated that the project net estimate includes the
Deposit Insurance & Banking System Stability
University Of Birmingham Department of Economics MSc Money Banking & Finance 2004/2005 Topics in Money Banking & Finance Deposit Insurance & Banking System Stability 5th March 2005 Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine if there is a link between Deposit Insurance, Bank Stability, Risk Taking and Moral Hazards. Starting with examination of Deposit Insurance around the world and then moving onto the EU. It is found that Deposit Insurance alone can not provide Bank Stability but requires the support of mature banking regulations, supervision, credibility and strong contracting environments in order to successfully provide Bank stability. However it is found that where there is weak provision of the points highlighted above Explicit Deposit Insurance tends to increase Moral hazard, Risk Taking which then affects the Stability of Banks and vice versa when all points are catered for. Introduction: Over recent time-periods financial instability caused through systematic banking crises has affected not only developing but also developed countries of similarity. The consequence of such an event is not only disastrous but also costly politically (at macroeconomic level) and socially since taxpayers foot the bill of these disturbances and both depositor and borrowers lose access to their funds and credit facilities respectively which may result in bankruptcy. However