Evaluation of Financial Position of Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Limited

Question 1:
Part B:
Financial position refers to the status of assets, liabilities and shareholder’s equity as
represented in financial statement. Financial position can be analyzed through calculating various
financial ratios and evaluating trends in the financial items of the balance sheet. The statement of
profit and loss account only shows details of revenue earned and expenses occurred during the
period but does not provide any source of information that can indicate the financial position of
the company. Financial position reflects the ability of the company to meet the short term as well
as long term expenses that will arise in future (Brigham and Michael, 2013). As income
statement reflects only the profitability position, so it is worthless to say that through income
statement one can give opinion on the financial strength of any company. So, net loss occurred in
the profit and loss account of Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Limited (Murray Goulburn)
reflects only the negative profitability of the company and nothing else.
Some of important financial ratios that can be used to evaluate the financial position of
Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Limited (Murray Goulburn) are as follow:
 Current Ratio: Current Ratio reflects the ability to the company to meet the short term
liabilities (Current liabilities) through use of short term assets (Current assets). It is
calculated as current assets divided current liabilities. The company current ratio has
decreased from 1.90 to 1.72 between the time periods 2016 to 2017 reflecting that its
ability to meet its current obligations has experienced a slight decline (Ross, Jaffe and
Kakani, 2008).
 Quick Ratio: Quick ratio depicts the ability of a company to meet its current obligations
from its most liquid assets and it has also decreased from 0.84 to 0.69 over the time
period 2016-2017. This indicates that its liquidity position is declining.
 Debt ratio: The debt ratio of the company reflects the proportion of debt and total assets
of the company. The debt ratio of company in year in 2016 is 0.46 times and in year 2017
it was 0.56 that indicates debt has been increased in the company.
 Inventory turnover Ratio: This ratio shows the efficiency of the company to convert
inventory to cost of goods sold. This ratio was 4.16 times in year 2016 and 4.66 in year
2017 (Deegan, 2013).
Justification on why above ratios are best to provide report on the financial position of the
company
As discussed above that financial position can be analyzed through evaluating the status
of assets, liabilities and equity values as showed in the balance sheet. In this context current ratio
will provide amount of current asset available with the company to pay the current liability. Debt

ratio provides information on percentage of debt used by the company to finance the assets of the
company. Quick ratio confirms level of current assets that can be easily converted into cash and
cash equivalents to pay the current liabilities on time. Lastly inventory turnover ratio guides how
frequently company converts its inventory into cost of goods sold so that maximum revenue can
be earned. All these ratio provides information on liquidity and efficiency of company that is
important to evaluate in order to report in the financial position of the company (Arnold, 2013).