Marks and Spencer’s is one of the leading British brands, which have its headquarters located in London. The company is listed on London stock exchange. The primary activities of the company are selling branded line of clothes and foods. Over the years, the revenue generation form clothing line has decreased and that from food has increased. The last reported market capitalisation of the company was 4.56 billion GBP. The company has over 1433 stores spread worldwide and is also engages in online trading. (Marks and Spencer’s Group Plc, 2017)
In our discussion below we will cover the financial performance of the company along with its future prospects and also its corporate governance strategies.
In order to analyse the financial status of the company we have conducted ratio analysis. Ratio analysis is the financial tool which helps us calculate the returns and financial performance in quantitative data. This helps us analyse the company performance and make decisions (Bragg, 2016).
|
Return on Assets |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Net Income |
116 |
404 |
482 |
|
Total Assets |
8,293 |
8,476 |
8,196 |
|
Return on Assets |
1.40 |
4.77 |
5.88 |
Return on assets is the profitability ratio which helps the investor calculates the return they earn in terms of percentage of assets (Fridson & Alvarez, 2012). Return on assets ratio is also referred to as return on investment ratio. The return on assets of the company has been declining over the years. The company reported a return of 5.88% in 2015, it declined to 4.77% in 2016 and finally the lowest return of 1.40% was reported by the company in 2017. There has been decline in the investment and net income in 2017 as compared to last years.
|
Net Profit Margin |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Net Income |
116 |
404 |
482 |
|
Sales Revenue |
10,622 |
10,555 |
10,311.40 |
|
Net Profit Margin |
1.09 |
3.83 |
4.67 |
Net profit margin is the ratio that helps calculate the net margin earned by the company (Girard, 2014). It helps calculate the efficiency of the company in cost reduction. There has been decline in the net profit margin of the company over the years. The net profit margin fell from 4.67 % in 2015 to 1.09% in 2017. This is something for which the company should be concerned about. We see that the sales amount has increased and profit has decreased. This aims towards lower operating efficiency. The company needs to improve its operational efficiency in order to increase the net profit margin.
|
Debt Equity Ratio |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Total Debt |
2,229.70 |
2,072.20 |
2,025.30 |
|
Total Equity |
3,150.40 |
3,443.40 |
3,198.80 |
|
Debt Equity Ratio |
0.71 |
0.60 |
0.63 |
Debt to equity ratio is the solvency ratio which helps calculate the proportion of debt is to equity in a firm (Kieso, 2014). It helps the investors determine the own funds and loan funds ratio. For the given company we see that the proportion of debt in capital has increased from 63% to 71% over the period of three years. Using debt funds and equity funds have their specific advantages and disadvantages. This ratio shows that 71% of the total capital invested is borrowed funds. This is the leverage ratio which helps to analyse the proportion of dent used in the total capital.
|
Debt Ratio |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Total liabilities |
5,142.10 |
5,033.00 |
4,997.30 |
|
Total Assets |
8,292.50 |
8,476.40 |
8,196.10 |
|
Debt Ratio |
0.62 |
0.59 |
0.61 |
The debt ratio is the financial ratio which helps us calculate the percentage of total assets which are financed by loan funds (Lerner, 2009). In the given case for the current year the company has financed its 62 percent of the assets with the debt funds. The debt ratio has increased from 61 percent to 59% to 62percent form the year 2016. Also the total liabilities have increased and the amount of assets has decreased, which has resulted in higher debt ratio for the current year. This ratio also helps to keep a check on the solvency of the firm.
|
Equity Ratio |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Total Equity |
3,150.40 |
3,443.40 |
3,198.80 |
|
Total Assets |
8,292.50 |
8,476.40 |
8,196.10 |
|
Equity Ratio |
0.38 |
0.41 |
0.39 |
Equity ratio is the same as debt ratio (Mattessich, 2016) . The only difference is that the proportions of assets which are financed by equity fund are calculated in this ratio. This ratio helps us determine the percentage of assets which are financed by equity funds. The equity ratio has declined from 41 percent in 2016 to 38 percent in the year 2017. Both the amounts of equity fund and asset fund has declined in the current year. The reasons for lower equity may be lower net profits margin earned by the company in the current year.
|
Current Ratio |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Current Assets |
1,723 |
1,461 |
1,455 |
|
Current Liabilities |
2,368 |
2,105 |
2,112 |
|
Current Ratio |
0.73 |
0.69 |
0.69 |
Current ratio is a solvency ratio and one of the most popularly used ratio. This ratio is used by the financers in order to evaluate the solvency status of the firm (Menifield, 2014) . The benchmark or the most appropriate ratio is 2. That is the current assets should be at least two times of the current liabilities. We see that the current ratio of the company has consistently been below one. This indicated lower solvency levels for the company. This may lead to cash deficiency for the company in future harming the daily operations. It is important for a firm to have a healthy current ratio in order to have smooth operations.
|
Dividend per share |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Dividend per share |
23.30 |
18.40 |
17.20 |
Dividend is the return on the investment provided by the management to its shareholders. It is not mandatory for the management to distribute dividends to the shareholders (McLaney & Adril, 2016). If the company is of the view that it can use the funds to maximise the value of the company then it will not distribute much dividends. In the given case we see that though the net profit margin of the company has declined over the years. The amount distributed as dividend has increased. The company raised the dividend per share from 17.20 to 23.30 in the last three years.
|
Earnings Per Share |
|||
|
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
Total Earnings |
493 |
573 |
541 |
|
No of Shares |
1,631 |
1,642 |
1,647 |
|
Earnings Per Share |
30.21 |
34.91 |
32.86 |
Earnings per share Is the ratio that helps us analyse the profits earned by the company for every share issued (Paul, 2014) . Total earnings of the company have declined considerably over the years. Also the number for shares have decline. We have considered diluted earnings per share for the calculation of above ratio. The diluted earnings per share of the company were 32.86 in the year2015, 34.91 in 2016 and it fell to 30.21 in the year 2017. The decline in EPS for the current year is due to lower profits earned by the company. There has been operation inefficiency in the company for current year which has reported in lower ratios for the current year.
Therefore we see that the financial performance of the company has been good over the years, but due to some reasons, in the current year lower returns were earned. The major reason for decline in income id due to fall in the revenues from the clothing line of business. The revenue for the food lone has increased by 4.2% in the current year. This has overall affected the net profit margin of the company. Due to decline in profits, there has been decline in other ratios as well.
Comparing the performance of the company from previous years we can say that the performance has decline, but we see that standalone performance of the current year, we can say that the company has performed well taking the market into consideration. The shareholders wealth is created when the market cap of the company increases (Piper, 2015). The market cap of the company in has declined by almost 18 percent. This has decreased the shareholders wealth. Its is not the EPS or Net profit margin that is relevant in considering the performance of the company, but how much wealth it creates is important. Since there has been a decline in the share price of the company by 19 % in year, it has resulted in decrease in shareholders wealth.
Qualitative factors are factors other than financial factors which are to affect the future performance of the company. These factors include factors such as the business model of the company, management of the company, past performance, corporate governance, etc (Rayman, 2009). These factors do not involve value directly, but decisions relating to any of these factors will affect the value of the company.
Business model of Marks & Spencer’s: the business model of the company involves stores at various locations which are spread worldwide. There are about 1433 stores of the company which are spread worldwide. A recent news update showed that the company is planning to close one of its stores in Warrington, which is likely to affect the employment of 450 employees. The company aims at acquiring best quality raw material and goods and then distribute them with a brand name. Therefore, qualitative factors such as these are to affect the performance of the company.
Competitive Advantage: Marks and Spencer’s has become a brand name which is not only famous in London but is also famous world-wide. The company has a reputation for its brand name which has assisted in creating value. This has generated value for years and is likely to continue in near future. As per one of the famous business model a company should have two kinds of competitive advantage in order to overcome the competition, these are low cost with differentiated products (Rivenbark, Vogt, & Marlowe, 2009) . The company has both the facts which has assisted it maintain the brand name over all these years.
Management of the company: management plays a very important role in the performance and growth of the company (Ittelson, 2009) . Lack of good management can collapse a well built business empire. The management of the company has laid down a business plan names Plan A, which aims the company towards sustainability development along with growth of the company.
Relationship with third parties: it is important that the company engaged in business which has taken over the retail market needs to have relation with third parties for smooth flow of goods and services (Pratt, 2009). Marks and Spencer’s, used its competitive advantage to maintain a close relationship with their suppliers. They empowered their suppliers and manufacturers with design management which proved to be very advantageous for the company.
Corporate governance: corporate governance speaks a lot about a company’s image. It depicts the relationship amongst its management, employees and customers. It is important to have a strong relationship and good corporate governance strategies in order to have a strong financial future. As per the UK corporate governance code the companies are required to provide a statement on the long term viability of the company (Rogers, 2015) . The company has assessed there risks involved and concluded that the Marks and Spencer’s is a viable business.
Therefore, we see that all the qualitative factors of the company aim towards a healthy future of the company. The increasing competition and progressive economy has had some effects on the workings of the company, but the financial future of the company seems altogether strong and efficient. (Rosenfield, 2009)
Corporate governance strategies refer to the set of rules and processes which help the company attain its objected in a planned manner. Corporate governance helps keep the management, employees and the stakeholders united (Schroeder, 2014) . The strategies of corporate governance are very important to be followed, if not followed it may also impose huge penalties on the firm.
In the United Kingdom there are set of governance rules which specifically apply to the listed companies. These rules are also applicable to marks and Spencer’s since they are listed in the London stock exchange. It is important that the company abides by the corporate governance code in order to ensure sustainable development with continuous growth.
The entities are required to report on major five heads in their corporate governance report. These are report on activities of directors, Effectiveness of the board, accountability, remuneration and the shareholders (Scott, 2014) .
The directors play a very important role in the development of business. It is necessary that there be efficient board of directors who manage the work efficiently. They are the persons who are responsible for the long term growth of the company. As per the governance code the board is required to abide by certain roles, these include, provide leadership, help set the strategic aims of the company and ensure that the set of standards are of the company are fulfilled and met. The aim should be to have a board which formulates and executes the plan in an efficient way. They are required to demonstrate leadership, independence, knowledge and accountability (Seitz & Ellison, 2009). They should be able to take strategic decisions and act responsibly towards the stakeholders. The company has mentioned in a detailed report on the role and responsibilities of their directors. They have shown leadership and excellence and helped the company grow and achieve the future goals.
Planning is the first step, it is important that the planned steps are effectively implemented by the board of director. The board is expected to have skill and expertise and use them in order to execute the strategic plans of the company they should ensure that the independence of the non executive directors on the board is not compromised with. The appointment in the board should be made in transparent manner. The company has mentioned the details of its directors who are to retire and be appointed in a clear manner in their report. The appointments of the any director shall be dealt in the manner the nomination committee decides. The board should meet at regular intervals and conduct the meetings in a timely manner s laid down by the regulation. It is also necessary that they abide by the minimum number of women directors of the board. The board should show commencement and development towards the activities of the company. Evaluation is very important for the board in order to study the deviations. The board of the company has performed their duties with great excellence and skill. They have contributed towards the growth of the company and assisted in the sustainable development.
The financial statements of the company should show the true and fair view of the affairs of the company. As per the conceptual framework it is important that they are consistent in applying the accounting policies and changes in the policies if any are reported in the stamens along with deviations if any. The board is to ensure that the risk management has been taken care of and that the controls are implemented in an effective manner so as to ensure the reliability of the data. The board should carry out risk assessment procures at timely intervals in order to safeguards the operations of the company. The audit committee should also ensure that the internal auditors appointed are helping them evaluate the internal control systems of the company (Siciliano, 2015). The company made sure to report on all of the above mentioned points. Risk assessment procedures have been timely taken and theta the internal controls of the company are free from any risks.
The remuneration committed is to ensure that levels of remuneration are sufficient to attract and retain the current and new directors. It is important that the directors are motivated to do better for the company. A transparent manner for remuneration is to be set in order to ensure that no codes are violated by the company. Application of new or any changes in incentive scheme should first be approved by the shareholder in the general meeting. The remuneration specified should not be beyond the limits laid by the regulations and laws. The remuneration committee of the company has made sure to follow all the principles and has successfully reported this in the corporate governance statement of the company.
It is important that the board and shareholders be on the same page when it comes to any major decision making for the company. There should be timely meetings of the board and shareholders in order to keep them updated about the company’s performance. The results of the company should be timely placed before the shareholders of the company. Communication is important.
Conclusion
The company, Marks and Spencer’s has successfully reported the entire requirement of the code of corporate governance. Keeping in view the past frauds which have taken away the trust of the investors form the big corporate, the company has been successful in ensuring that the activities of the Company are being conducted in a truthful manner and that which are in favour of the investors. It is important that the company follows the corporate governance riles, in order to avoid fines and penalties (Taillard, 2013). The company has incorporated the report of governance in a manner as required by law. The report helps to ensure that the performance of the company in the future will not be compromised with and there would be high returns to the investors at all the times.
References:
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