Saks Fifth Avenue vs. Neiman Marcus - A Detailed Company Analysis Using Balance Sheets and Income Statements

Saks Fifth Avenue vs. Neiman Marcus - A Detailed Company Analysis Using Balance Sheets and Income Statements I am writing to analyse the company's current balance sheet and income statement. Particularly, I will critique on the company's results, compare it to past years, compare it to competitors, and make recommendations on how to improve its financial position.Neiman Marcus department stores offer luxurious and high-quality men's and women's apparel and accessories. The Neiman Marcus Group operates 35 stores in nearly 20 states. The 2004 net income was an impressive $204 million and revenue was $3.5 billion. More importantly, their gross profit was $1.2 billion. Their net income is approximately 5.8% (compared to total revenue) and 1.7% (compared to their gross profit). This may seem little, but when a company revenues such a large amount, a small percentage net income is a very large amount, as exemplified. Comparing it with their largest competition - Off Fifth Saks Avenue (Saks) - Neiman Marcus earns 5 times their competition's income.English: Neiman Marcus flagship store, Dallas, Tex ...The profit figure is very adequate.Neiman Marcus' income statement shows their fiscal period ends in July. The total revenue was $3.5 billion but their cost of revenue was $2.3 billion. This is 66% of their revenue. This is significantly high, but again, to increase revenue comes with expenses. After calculations, the total expenses were approximately $1 billion. On the given income statement (attached) they show mostly taxation and interest expenses. These expenses cannot be commented on because they are standard, as directed by the government. However, we are given the "selling general and administrative expense", which was $875 million. These are associated with payrolls and running the company. These expenses are 71.5% of the company's gross profit. These expenses are high and should be lowered; but in comparison to their competition, it is 10% lower.There is always room for improvement and by lowering expenses, one can...