Asset and Capital Structure

2008

Cash and cash equivalents

$10,339

Accounts receivable

$13,589

Inventories

$985

Total fixed assets

$29,551

The asset structure at Microsoft reflects some of the particularities in the industry, notably the fact that the inventory levels tend to be quite low, as compared to the other assets. This means that the IT industry is not one supporting production on stock. At the same time, the value of the total fixed assets is significantly high, which can be partly explained by the size of the company and the investments in land, buildings and equipment.

Part III -- Ratio Analysis

The current ratio in 2008 was 1.45, as compared to 1.69 in 2007. The current ratio has slightly decreased from 2007, but, given the fact that it still retains a value greater than 1, it is clear that the short-term financial solvability of the company is solid.

The total asset turnover at Microsoft was 0.83 in 2008, as compared to 0.81 in 2007. The figures denote a slight increase, which...

With an increase from the previous year, the company remains a very profitable one, apparently not affected by the economic crisis that started in 2007.
The return on assets at Microsoft was 0.24 in 2008, as compared to 0.22 in 2007. As most of the other profitability and asset management figures, the return on assets also shows a better performance in 2008.

Part IV -- Conclusions and Recommendations

Microsoft's results, both in terms of absolute value from the income and cash flow statements and balance sheet and the ratio analysis, show a solid, extremely competitive company, whose results have improved from 2007 to 2008, despite the global economic crisis. Its capacity to retain low levels of inventory, to gradually increase its efficiency in using assets and to bring new products to the market are some of the positive aspects at Microsoft. As a recommendation, the company could consider allocating a larger proportion of its expenses into research and development.