Question

This year Baldwin achieved an ROE of 5.9%. Suppose management takes measures that increase Asset turnover (Sales/Total Assets) next year. Assuming Sales, Profits, and financial leverage remain the same, what effect would you expect this action to have on Baldwin's ROE

Answer 1

ROE will increase

Step-by-step explanation:

This action will cause an increase in Baldwin's ROE

ROE is the same as return on Equity. The return on equity is equal to the net profit margin multiplied by asset turnover which is also multiplied by equity multiplier.

From the above, if asset turnover is being increased by measures taken by the management, the ROE will also have to increase too. Firms will have to be generating more sales per units of the assets that they own.