What problems might robert encounter in comparing these companies to one another on the basis of their ratios? (select all the answers that apply.)
a. financial ratios from software companies are never very reliable.
b. the operating characteristics of firms across different industries vary significantly resulting in very different ratio values.
c. the four companies are in very different industries.
d. caution must be exercised when comparing older to newer firms,
e. g., utility company vs. software company?

Atax on the sellers of coffee will a. increase the price of coffee paid by buyers, increase the effective price of coffee received by sellers, and increase the equilibrium quantity of coffee. b. increase the price of coffee paid by buyers, increase the e ffective price of coffee received by sellers, and decrease the equilibrium quantity of coffee. c. increase the price of coffee paid by buyers, decrease the effective price of coffee received by sellers, and increase the equilibrium quantity of coffee. d. increa se the price of coffee paid by buyers, decrease the effective price of coffee received by sellers, and decrease the equilibrium quantity of coffee.

Annuity payments are assumed to come at the end of each payment period (termed an ordinary annuity). however, an exception occurs when the annuity payments come at the beginning of each period (termed an annuity due). what is the future value of a 13-year annuity of $2,800 per period where payments come at the beginning of each period? the interest rate is 9 percent. use appendix c for an approximate answer, but calculate your final answer using the formula and financial calculator methods. to find the future value of an annuity due when using the appendix tables, add 1 to n and subtract 1 from the tabular value. for example, to find the future value of a $100 payment at the beginning of each period for five periods at 10 percent, go to appendix c for n = 6 and i = 10 percent. look up the value of 7.716 and subtract 1 from it for an answer of 6.716 or $671.60 ($100 × 6.716)

3. describe the purpose of the sec. (1-4 sentences. 2.0 points)