While researching the feasibility of converting her company's products to solar energy, Hailie reads several reports on innovations to lithium batteries and photovoltaic cells. Some of the reports suggest any energy using device should begin to incorporate solar into its design, while others argue that the batteries still do not hold enough charge and remain cost prohibitive for products like those of her company. To demonstrate her own original thinking, Hailie should

In its 2016 annual report, caterpillar inc. reported the following (in millions): 2016 2015 sales $38,537 $47,011 cost of goods sold 28,309 33,546 as a percentage of sales, did caterpillar's gross profit increase or decrease during 2016? select one: a. gross profit increased from 26.8% to 28.6% b. gross profit decreased from 28.6% to 26.5% c. gross profit increased from 71.4% to 73.2% d. gross profit decreased from 73.2% to 71.4% e. there is not enough information to answer the question.

Cash flow is often a problem for small businesses. how can an entrepreneur increase cash flow? a) locate lower-priced suppliers. b) forego sending in estimated tax payments to the irs c) shorten the terms on a bank loan to pay it off more quickly d) sell more low-margin items.

Ummit record company is negotiating with two banks for a $157,000 loan. fidelity bank requires a compensating balance of 24 percent, discounts the loan, and wants to be paid back in four quarterly payments. southwest bank requires a compensating balance of 12 percent, does not discount the loan, but wants to be paid back in 12 monthly installments. the stated rate for both banks is 9 percent. compensating balances will be subtracted from the $157,000 in determining the available funds in part a. a-1. calculate the effective interest rate for fidelity bank and southwest bank. (do not round intermediate calculations. input your answers as a percent rounded to 2 decimal places.) a-2. which loan should summit accept? southwest bank fidelity bank b. recompute the effective cost of interest, assuming that summit ordinarily maintains $37,680 at each bank in deposits that will serve as compensating balances