The new CFO thinks that inventories are excessive and could be lowered sufficiently to cause the current ratio to equal the industry average, 2.85, without affecting either sales or net income. Assuming that inventories are sold off and not replaced to get the current ratio to the target level, and that the funds generated are used to buy back common stock at book value, by how much would the ROE change

4.50%

Explanation:

Note: Question is incomplete but very similar one is attached as picture below

Current ROE = Net Income / Equity = $21,000 / $280,000 = 7.50%

Current Inventory = $210,000

Target Current ratio = 2.70

1. Current assets at target Current ratio = Current Liabilities * Target current ratio = $70000 * 2.70 = $189,000

2. Reduction in Inventories = Present Current assets - Current assets under target current ratio

Reduction in Inventories = $14000 + $70000 + $210000 - $189000

Reduction in Inventories = $105000

3. Reduction on common equity using sale of inventory = Current Equity - reduction

Reduction on common equity using sale of inventory = $280,000 - $105,000

Reduction on common equity using sale of inventory = $175,000

4. Change in ROE = New ROE - Current ROE

Change in ROE = [21000 / 175000] - 7.50%

Change in ROE = 12% - 7.50%

Change in ROE = 4.50%

answer(b) equal; set period;