Free Essays on Amazon Report

Amazon Report This report analyzes the performance of Amazon.com stock relative to their financial performance. The report focuses on the current state of the capital market, Amazon’s earnings trends, ratio analysis, and analyst recommendations. The report concludes with an investment recommendation based on the information obtained by the analysis. All ratios were computed using financial information obtained from Amazon’s 10-K filings from 1999-2002. 2003 financial information was obtained from Amazon’s 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Current State of Capital Market The United States economy is still experiencing a significant recession, which has weakened the capital markets. Over the past five years stock prices have experienced massive fluctuations. This is especially pertinent to technology stocks such as Amazon. The graph below illustrates Amazon’s stock performance over the past five years. Amazon’s stock has fluctuated drastically since 1999. In light of the current economy, it is reasonable to assume that this stock will continue this trend, and begin declining soon. Earnings Trends The graph below shows Amazon’s net income since 1999: Amazon has reported net losses in every year of operations. While the amount of losses has been decreasing since 2000, it is not likely that the Company will report earnings in 2003. The market tends to react poorly to reported losses. While Amazon’s stock may continue to rise through year-end, the price is likely to decline significantly when Amazon reports net losses early in 2004. Ratio Analysis The following section examines trends in Amazon’s liquidity, solvency, and profitability ratios since 1999. Liquidity Liquidity ratios measure Amazon’s ability to meet its short-term debt and include the current ratio and quick ratio. The following chart illustrates trends in Amazon’s liquidity ratios: Amazon’s curr... Free Essays on Amazon Report Free Essays on Amazon Report Amazon Report This report analyzes the performance of Amazon.com stock relative to their financial performance. The report focuses on the current state of the capital market, Amazon’s earnings trends, ratio analysis, and analyst recommendations. The report concludes with an investment recommendation based on the information obtained by the analysis. All ratios were computed using financial information obtained from Amazon’s 10-K filings from 1999-2002. 2003 financial information was obtained from Amazon’s 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Current State of Capital Market The United States economy is still experiencing a significant recession, which has weakened the capital markets. Over the past five years stock prices have experienced massive fluctuations. This is especially pertinent to technology stocks such as Amazon. The graph below illustrates Amazon’s stock performance over the past five years. Amazon’s stock has fluctuated drastically since 1999. In light of the current economy, it is reasonable to assume that this stock will continue this trend, and begin declining soon. Earnings Trends The graph below shows Amazon’s net income since 1999: Amazon has reported net losses in every year of operations. While the amount of losses has been decreasing since 2000, it is not likely that the Company will report earnings in 2003. The market tends to react poorly to reported losses. While Amazon’s stock may continue to rise through year-end, the price is likely to decline significantly when Amazon reports net losses early in 2004. Ratio Analysis The following section examines trends in Amazon’s liquidity, solvency, and profitability ratios since 1999. Liquidity Liquidity ratios measure Amazon’s ability to meet its short-term debt and include the current ratio and quick ratio. The following chart illustrates trends in Amazon’s liquidity ratios: Amazon’s curr...

Identifying the Authors Purpose on a Standardized Test

Identifying the Author's Purpose on a Standardized Test Knowing what authors purpose questions look like is one thing. Finding it is quite another! On a standardized test, youll have answer choices to help you figure it out, but distractor questions will often confuse you. On a short answer test, youll have nothing but your own brain to figure it out, and sometimes it isnt as easy at it seems. It may be helpful to practice these types of questions while preparing for standardized tests. Look For Clue Words Figuring out why an author wrote a particular passage can be as easy (or as difficult) as looking at clues inside the passage. Ive mentioned in the What is the Authors Purpose article several different reasons an author would have to write a passage of text, and what those reasons mean. Below, youll find those reasons, with the clue words associated with them. Compare: Author wanted to show similarities between ideasClue Words: both, similarly, in the same way, like, just asContrast: Author wanted to show differences between ideasClue Words: however, but, dissimilarly, on the other handCriticize: Author wanted to give a negative opinion of an ideaClue Words: Look for words that show the authors negative opinion. Judgment words like bad, wasteful, and poor all demonstrate negative opinions. Describe/Illustrate: Author wanted to paint a picture of an ideaClue Words: Look for words that provide descriptive detail. Adjectives like red, lusty, morose, striped, sparkling, and crestfallen are all illustrative.Explain: Author wanted to break down an idea into simpler termsClue Words: Look for words that turn a complicated process into simple language. A descriptive text will use more adjectives. An explanatory text will usually be used with a complicated idea.Identify/List: Author wanted to tell the reader about an idea or series of ideasClue Word s: Text that identifies or lists, will name an idea or series of ideas without providing much description or opinion. Intensify: Author wanted to make an idea greaterClue Words: Text that intensifies will add more specific details to the idea. Look for superlative adjectives and bigger concepts. A baby sadly crying is descriptive, but a baby mournfully howling red-cheeked for 30 minutes is more intense.Suggest: Author wanted to propose an ideaClue Words: Suggest answers are usually positive opinions and try to sway the reader to believe. The author will provide a point, then use details to prove it.​ Underline the Clue Words It helps to use that pencil in your hand when youre reading if youre unsure what the authors purpose is. As you read, underline the clue words in the text to help you get a better idea. Then, either compose a sentence using the key words (compare, explain, illustrate) to show why the author wrote the piece or select the best answer from the choices given.