When considered as a whole, the grocery market in the UK has steadily growing in size, being about 4 bigger today than it has been a year ago;  August 2012 update: 12 weeks ending July 8, 2012 growth rate slows from 4.2% to 2.1% due mostly to a drop in price inflation: 6.2% to 3.8%. Morrison’s is growing more slowly then Sainsbury’s; the company is on track to add approx. 20 new stores in 2012 with most of those locations featuring a larger selection of produce. The UK grocery market was worth £163.2 billion in 2012, an increase of 3.8% on 2011, IGD forecast that the UK grocery market value will be worth £192.6bn in 2017, an 18.0% increase on 2012. The grocery market’s share accounts for 54.3p in every £1 of UK retail spending.
What is the size of the UK grocery market Source: IGD UK channel forecasts 2012
1.2 The Companies
1.2.1 Sainsbury’s
J Sainsbury plc. is the parent company of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, commonly known as Sainsbury’s, the third largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom with a share of the UK supermarket sector of 16.5%. The group also has interests in property and banking. It was founded in 1869 and today operates over 1,000 supermarkets and convenience stores and employs around 150,000 colleagues. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

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1.2.2 Morrison’s
The supermarket, which generated sales of £18.1 billion in the year, said it had not done enough to communicate its promotions and suffered because it still lacked a meaningful presence in the two fastest growing sectors of the market. Morrison’s is the UK’s fourth largest food retailer with over 400 stores. The super market is mainly food and grocery – weekly shop. Morrison’s employs 129,000 staff at 498 stores. Their reports show that like-for-like sales dropped 2.1% in the year, while the average of 11.4 million customers in its stores each week was down on the prior year.
2. Gearing Ratio Analysis
2.1 Gearing Ratios
Gearing Ratios (%)
Company/Year
2012
2011
Sainsbury
31.73
30.13
Morrison
22.86
16.25
Source : Appendix 1
Sainsbury’s
A gearing between 25% – 50% is generally considered nominal for an established business. It implies that Sainsbury is happy to finance its activities using borrowing. Sainsbury focuses more on investment in revenue growth rather than profit as the company increased sales revenue and non-current assets but suffered a loss in 2012.
Morrison’s
The business is considered “low gearing” as its gearing is less than 25%. The business is growing through reinvestment of profits and minimizing risk. However, in 2012, there is an increase in gearing from 16.25% in 2011 to 22.86% and this is mainly because the business increased long-term borrowings by £548m and reduced retained earnings and shared capital.
2.2 Interest Cover Ratio
Interest Cover Ratio
Company/Year
2012
2011
Sainsbury
6.04
7.40
Morrsion
20.59
20.62
Source : Appendix 2
Sainsbury’s
The ratio indicates that the borrowing capital is used effectively to generate profits and that the business is able to meet its short-term interest obligations from its earnings. Sainsbury is growing, making worthwhile investments to continue to expand.
Morrison’s
The ratio suggests that Morrison is generating enough income to cover its interest obligations and is thus financially stable. However, such a high ratio also suggests that Morrison is neglecting opportunities to magnify profits through leverage.
3. LIQUIDITY RATIO ANALYSIS
3.1 CURRENT RATIO
COMPANY/YEAR
2011
2012
SAINSBURY
.580
.647
MORRISON
.545
.574
Source : Appendix 3
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s current assets are considerably less than the current liabilities in both the years as Sainsbury has invested a lot in fixed assets as well as in subsidiaries and joint ventures. Sainsbury is obliged to pay a lot of money as a part of tax and also in generating its assets so the liability is therefore more than the assets. For every 1pound liability they have only 64.7 pence worth of asset to cover it.
Morrison’s
Morrison current ratio is smaller than the current ratio of Sainsbury which indicates that Sainsbury is doing slightly better than Morrison in the market. Morrison current liabilities is more than the current assets due to more of borrowing that involves short term loans, investment in fixed assets and payment of tax. For every 1pound liability they have only 57.4 worth of asset to cover it.
3.2 ACID TEST RATIO
COMPANY/YEAR
2011
2012
SAINSBURY
.304
.348
MORRISON
.239
.247
Source : Appendix 4
Sainsbury’s
The acid test ratio is very less as Sainsbury, being a retail store, is highly dependent on sale of inventory. As acid test ratio of Sainsbury is .348 that is less than 1 it means that Sainsbury cannot pay their current liabilities.
Morrison’s
Like Sainsbury’s, Morrison also being highly dependent on inventories, acid ratio is expected to be less. Morrison’s acid ratio is .247, which is less than 1, meaning Morrison cannot pay their current liabilities. It would be only able to generate 24.7 % cash of its current liabilities.
Both the companies fails in extinguishing its current liabilities but this is not due to their market position or growth but just due to the nature of the business (retail).
4. PROFITABILITY RATIO ANALYSIS
4.1 Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
Return on Capital Employed
Co./Year
2012
2011
Sainsbury’s
10.11 %
11.06 %
Morrison’s
13.83 %
13.70 %
(Source : Appendix 5 )
Sainsbury’s
ROCE growth in 2012 was lower than last year partly due to the cumulative effect of Sainsbury’s accelerated investment in space growth since 2009 (Sainsbury’s, 2011). This initially shrank profits whilst increasing the value of capital employed.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s delivered improved returns to its shareholders. For every £1 capital invested in the business, the annual return is 13.83 pence in 2012 and was 13.70 pence in 2011. This profitability ratio of Morrison is moderately higher than Sainsbury’s, hence Morrison’s is able to gain more profit on average capital employed.
4.2 Return on Equity (ROE)
Return on Equity
Co./Year
2012
2011
Sainsbury’s
10.62 %
11.79 %
Morrison’s
12.78 %
11.66 %
(Source : Appendix 6)
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s Return on Equity in 2012 has decreased by 1.17 % compared to 2011 due to decline in shareholder funds. In 2011, they performed slightly better than Morrison’s as they had better reserves and share capital and the Profit after Tax (PAT) was significantly lower than Morrison’s.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s ROE has significantly improved over d last few years and continue to reach high values. In 2012, they showed a 1.12% increase in ROE compared to 2011 and had a 12.78 % shareholder equity. The shareholders invested a lot which resulted in higher returns.
4.3 Gross Profit Margin
Gross Profit Margin
Co./Year
2012
2011
Sainsbury’s
5.43 %
5.49 %
Morrison’s
6.89 %
6.96 %
(Source : Appendix 7)
Sainsbury’s
A moderate decline in the ratio between 2011 and 2012 explains the fact that the gross profit was lower in relation to sales revenue. This means that cost of sales was higher relative to sales revenue within the period.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s Gross Profit Margin is higher than Sainsbury’s as they had a lower sales revenue and moderate gross profit compared to the latter. In 2012, 6.89 % of the net sales are available to pay off all the operating expenses.
4.4 Net/Operating Profit Margin
Net/Operating Profit Margin
Co./Year
2012
2011
Sainsbury’s
3.74 %
4.07 %
Morrison’s
5.48 %
5.38 %
(Source : Appendix 8)
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury accounted to lower Net Profit Margin than Morrison’s because of falling sales and rising costs. The market has a lot of competition where small groceries and convenience stores capture quite a bit of total UK food retail.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s performed fairly well and showed significant increase in the operating profits from Sainsbury’s over the past year. It accounted 5.48 % Net Profit Margin in the current financial year (Sales Revenue: £17663m). It is a result of superior execution and induction of higher margin products in their sales mix.
Morrison’s seems to be more profitable than Sainsbury’s across all available profitability measures.
5.0 Efficiency Ratios
(Source of Data, Apendix 9, Financial Reports of Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s)
5.1 Fixed Assets Turnover
This ratio shows how efficiently the company is using fixed assets to generate sales. Low ratios indicate the company is capital intensive or that company requires a lot of fixed assets to generate a given amount of sales. (Gildersleeve, R. (1999) p.136).
Efficiency Ratios
Year/Comp.
Sainsbury’s
Morrison’s
2011
2.40 times
2.18 times
2012
2.39 times
2.22 times
Sainsbury’s
In 2012 Sainsbury’s shows an increase in Sales Revenue for approx 1,100 £m, which made its ratio slightly lower comparing to 2011. The ratio remained fairly similar because the value of fixed assets at net book value increased as well. The reason for the increase in fixed assets could be explained by Sainsbury’s tendency for opening new stores. The financial report states that they opened 19 new supermarkets, 28 extensions, and 73 convenience stores, which are only to begin operating and contributing to sales.
Morrison’s
On the other hand Morrison’s managed to improve their ratio by obtaining similar value of their fixed assets from 2011 to 2012, and using them more efficiently to score an increase in sales revenue of 1,100£m. Generally looking at the industry the Average ratios for Retail – Food companies are between 4-5 (Wal-Mart Stores USA – 5.00), (Gildersleeve, R. (1999) p.136), so Sainsbury’s should aim to increase the use of their fixed assets in order to increase the sales.
5.2 Average Inventories Turnover
Shows how many days company had to stock goods for sale before they were sold. In the retail-food industry this period should be kept fairly low because of the nature of the business. Lower ratio indicates that company will spend less funds towards stocking items before putting it on sale and getting profit from it.
Average Inventories Turnover
Year /Comp.
Sainsbury
Morrison
2011
14.86 Days
15.19 Days
2012
15.85 Days
16.85 Days
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s shows growth in the average of inventories held over the course of year by almost 100 £m. As costs of sales have increased from 2011-2012, this ratio shows a slight growth in number of days goods are kept in stock. The increase of inventory in stock could be explained by Sainsbury’s growth of sales in 2012. Higher demand forces company to have more items in stock in order to satisfy the needs of the customers.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s shows even higher growth in average days the goods are stocked. Morrison’s also note the increase in cost of sales, even more than Sainsbury’s. The financial reports of Morrison’s state a few reasons, among which increasingly higher prices of fuel on the market.
5.3 Profit Per Employee
Profit Per Employee
Year/ Comp.
Sainsbury
Morrison
2011
5,572.78 £ per emp.
6,617.50 £ per emp.
2012
5,256.58 £ per emp.
7,217.60 £ per emp.
Sainsbury’s
It is notable that company’s profit has been reduced from 2011-2012 for 2.8 m£, which is 3.4%, even though its sales have risen for 6.8%. This could be explained by the number of reasons, but one of them that is important for this ratio is that they have also increased the number of employees. This has negatively influenced their Profit per Employee ratio, leaving it behind the industry average and Morrison’s.
Morrison’s
Unlike Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s notes the increase in profit and reduction of number of employees. This is the most desirable situation for a company. Their profit was higher for 8 % in 2012 than in 2011.
5.4 Average Trade Debtor Collection Period
It indicates the period of time which is needed for company to collect trade debts. This ratio reveals a great deal about a company’s credit policy and the efficiency which it can collect money from its customers. (Fight, A. (2006) p. 57)).
Average Trade Debtor Collection Period
Year/Comp.
Sainsbury
Morrison
2011
1.61Days
4.79 Days
2012
1.90 Days
4.34 Days
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s shows an increase in the average time that they needed to collect the trade dept. Even though their costs of sales remained fairly similar, there was a substantial increase in the amount of trade debt. Even though this negatively influenced the ratio, Sainsbury’s has made trades from which they expect to receive money in near future. Furthermore their ratio shows efficiency at collecting debts, comparing both to the industry and Morrison’s.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s have significantly higher average debt collection period. Even though they have managed to slightly decrease their Trade receivables from 2011-2012, their costs of sales increased by approx 1,000£m which has not made it possible for this ratio to improve further.
6. INVESTMENT RATIO ANALYSIS
FORMULAS
* Eearning Per Shares = profit available to shareholders/ no. of shares ranked for dividend
* Dividend Yield= dividend per share/ market price * 100%
*Dividend cover = Preference Dividend/Ordinary Dividend
SAINSBURY’S MORRISON’S
2011 2012 2011 2012
(%) (%)
EARNING PER SHARE
33.8
31.5
23.43
26.03
DIVIDEND YIELD
15.10
16.1
9.60
10.70
DIVIDEND COVER
1.75
1.75
2.40
2.39
6.1 EARNING PER SHARE YEAR
Sainsbury’s
In 2011 Sainsbury’s experienced a sharp increase in earnings per share going up by 33.8%. And in 2012 the Sainsbury went down with 31.5% having a loss of 2.3%. It is important that assets are revaluated in order to keep the real value of assets on balance sheet. Earnings per share in 2011 increased by 2.3% to 33.8 p, reflecting the improvement in the operating profit and the effect of the additional shares, more importantly due to the property profits.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s earnings per share compared to Sainsbury’s are lower. This is driven by smaller profit and the fact that Morrison’s is a smaller sized supermarket chain. The earning per share has 23.43% at 2011 mainly caused by the higher profits on business disposals that the company went through last year, so the return to shareholders was a lower rate per share.
6.2 DIVIDEND YIELD YEAR
Sainsbury’s
The dividend yield had a slightly decreased since the dividend per share only increased by 15.10% from 2011 year. This was a decision from the company and it reflects the reduction in the earning per share already mentioned and the fall in the dividend cover by 1.75% in 2011.
Morrison’s
Morrison dividend yield is much less in 2011 it was 9.6% and in 2012 the dividend went up to 10.70%.
6.3 DIVIDEND COVER YEAR
Sainsbury’s
Dividend cover of Sainsbury’s says that earnings available for dividend cover is 1.75% in 2011 and also in 2012 so there was not change in the divided cover over the past two years. In terms of dividend cover, Sainsbury’s has its policy based on their calculations to maintain the dividend cover between 1.50 – 1.75 times. The reason behind it is that if the dividend cover is too low, there is a possibility that the company will not be able to pay out the investors.
Morrison’s
In Morrison’s divided cover, it showers that in 2011 it has 2.40% whereas in 2012 it has 2.39%, which is still more than Sainsbury. For the year 2011 Morrison’s dividend cover is 2.4 times, claim that it is in line with the European food retail sector average (Morrison’s, 2011).
7. Future Perspectives and Strategies
Both Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s have their business strategies for future outlined in their financial statements. Morrison’s financial strategy continues to deliver improved margins whilst positioning long term growth. They wish to increase their customer appeal and growth of sales, which is meant to be converted into profitable growth.
They have realized the potential in online retail, so they will finally enter the online groceries market to challenge Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, making it the last of the major supermarket groups to have an internet presence, but only after reporting its first fall in profits for six years.C:UsersUSERDesktopfinancial management1.JPG
Sainsbury’s based their business strategy on meeting consumer needs, taking into the account the on-going inflation over the past four years. The economic downturn has changed how and what consumers buy, and these changes appear to be lasting. In 2012 they have launched their Live Well for Less campaign based on awarding loyalty and providing the best quality possible for optimal price. Through Nectar loyalty scheme they have a wealth of data about their customers’ behaviour. C:UsersUSERDesktopfinancial management2.JPG
Source of the table: Morrison’s financial statement 2012.
Source: Sainsbury’s Financial Statement 2012
8 Conclusions
Financial statements suggest that Morrison’s financial performance was very good. They had a profitable year (profit of £58m) while Sainsbury’s performance was not good compared to 2011 (loss of £42m). Morrison’s financial performance was strong, and they continued to invest in long term growth of the business, and to deliver increasing returns to shareholders.
Even after having steady increase in sales revenue and gross profit, Sainsbury suffered loss compared to previous year mainly because their interest and tax expenses increased while profit from joint ventures reduced. Though Sainsbury’s acquisition of non-current assets was underfinanced with long term sources of finance, they still managed to generate more sales and cover the debt payable easily.
Alternatively, Morrison’s financial management was excellent as they covered all their non-current assets with long term sources of finance. High interest cover ratio indicates that there is no sort of pressure on the company and is very profitable.
References
Fight, A (2006) Flow Forecasting, UK: CFrion Tec. Pvt.
Stickney C.P (2010) Financial Accounting : an introduction to concepts methods and uses USA: South Western Cengage Learning
Smart B.S & Megginson W.L (2009) Introduction to Corporate Finance USA: South Western Cengage Learning
Alberth S.W (2011) Accounting, Concepts & Applications, What, Why, How of Accounting USA: South Western Cengage Learning
Gildersleeve R. (1999) Winning Business: How to use Financial Analysis and Benchmarks to outscore your competition Houston: Tex Gult Pub. Co.
Unknown (2010) An evaluation of the business and financial performance of morrisons. Available at: http://www.ukessays.com/dissertations/business/financial-performance-of-morrisons.php#ixzz2NhjC0HdW (Accessed: 15/03/2013)
London Stock Exchange (2013) London Stock Exchange Available at: www.londonstockexchange.com (Accessed: 20/03/2013)
Morrison Group (2013) Financial Reports Available at: http://www.morrisons.co.uk/Corporate/Investor-centre/Financial-reports/ (Accessed: 18/03/2013)
Sainsbury’s Group (2013) Annual Report and Financial Statements 2011 Available At: http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/ar11/ (Accessed: 10/03/2013)
Unknown (2013) Forces analyses of Sainsbury Available at: http://www.oxbridgewriters.com/essays/management/forces-analyses-of-sainsbury.php (Accessed at: 18/03/2013)
Appendix 1
Gearing Ratio = Long Term Loans + Value of Preference Shares
————————————————————————————–
Share Capital + Reserves + Long term Loans + Minority Interest
Sainsbury’s
2012
2011
2617 + 0
538 + 5091 + 2617 + 0
2339 + 0
535 + 4889 + 2339 + 0
= 31.73 %
= 30.13 %
Morrison’s
2012
2011
1600 + 0
253 + 5144 + 1600 + 0
1052 + 0
266 + 5154 + 1052 + 0
= 22.86 %
= 16.25 %
Appendix 2
Interest Cover Ratio = Profit before interest and tax
———————————–
Interest payable
Sainsbury
2012
2011
834
138
859
116
= 6.04
= 7.40
Morrison
2012
2011
968
47
887
43
= 20.59
= 20.62
Appendix 3
Current ratio = current assets / current liabilities
Sainsbury’s
2011
2012
Current assets = 1708
Current liabilities = 2942
Current ratio = 1708/2942
= .580
Current assets = 2032
Current liabilities = 3136
Current ratio = 2032/3136
= .647
Morrison’s
2011
2012
current assets = 1138
current liabilities = 2086
current ratio = 1138/2086
= .545
Current assets = 1322
current liabilities = 2303
current ratio = 1322/2303
= .574
Appendix 4
Acid test ratio = liquid asset / current liabilities
Liquid asset = current asset – inventories
2011
2012
Current assets = 1708
inventories = 812
liquid asset = 1708 – 812
= 896
current liabilities = 2942
acid test ratio = 896 / 2942
= .304
Current assets = 2032
inventories = 938
liquid asset = 2032 – 938
= 1094
current liabilities = 3136
acid test ratio = 1094 / 3136
= .348
Sainsbury’s
Morrison’s
2011
2012
current assets = 1138
inventories = 638
liquid asset = 1138 – 638
= 500
current liabilities = 2086
acid test ratio = 500 / 2086
= .239
current assets = 1322
inventories = 759
liquid asset = 1322 – 759
= 569
current liabilities = 2703
acid test ratio = 569 / 2703
= .247
Appendix 5
Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
ROCE =
For Sainsbury’s
2012
2011
834 X 100
538 + 5091 + 2617 + 0
859 X 100
535 + 4889 + 2339 + 0
= 10.11 %
= 11.06 %
For Morrison’s
2012
2011
968 X 100
253 + 5144 + 1600 + 0
887 X 100
266 + 5154 + 1643 + 0
= 13.83 %
= 13.70 %
Appendix 6
Return on Equity ( ROE ) = Profit after Tax X 100
Share Capital + Reserves
For Sainsbury’s
2012
2011
598 X 100
538 + 5091
640 X 100
535 + 4889
= 10.62 %
= 11.79 %
For Morrison’s
2012
2011
690 X 100
253 + 5144
632 X 100
266 + 5154
= 12.78 %
= 11.66 %
Appendix 7
Gross Profit Margin = Gross Profit X 100
Sales Revenue
For Sainsbury’s
2012
2011
1211 X 100
22294
1160 X 100
21102
= 5.43 %
= 5.49 %
For Morrison’s
2012
2011
1217 X 100
17663
1148 X 100
16479
= 6.89 %
= 6.96 %