Balance Sheet Detective

This is an international version of the classic ratio detective exercise that is found in many US-based textbooks and other case series. The objective is to initiate students into balance sheet analysis via the use of common-size balance sheets. The case helps students to understand how the economics of the firm are revealed in the firm's financial statements. Effectively employed, it can also teach students to think about the links between asset composition and financial structures, and how these relate to industry economics.