In Tennessee Williams A Portrait In Laughter And...

In Tennessee Williams: A Portrait in Laughter and Lamentation, Harry Rasky uses extensive interviews with Williams to explore the playwright’s intent. Through these interviews, Rasky presents a glimpse of the playwright’s life-world and the driving force behind his creations. Rasky reports Williams as saying I have always been more interested in creating a character that contains something crippled. I think nearly all of us have some kind of defect, anyway, and I suppose I have found it easier to identify with the characters who verge on hysteria, who were frightened of life, who were desperate to reach out to another person (134). This statement supports the idea that Williams incorporates something crippled into all†¦show more content†¦She sends her to business school and invites a gentleman caller to dinner. She is both unable to cope with the contemporary world’s mechanization represented by the speed test in typing and unable to make new acquaintan ces or friends due to her immense inhibition with people. Her life is humdrum and uneventful, yet it is full of dreams and inundated with memories. Whenever the outside world threatens Laura, she seeks solace and retreats to her glass animal world and old phonograph records. Amanda, her mother hints at the alternative of matrimony for fiasco in business careers and Laura utters a startled, doubtful laugh. She reaches quickly for a piece of glass. (Williams SCENE 2. STAGE DIRECCIONS). The glass menagerie becomes her tactile consolation. The little glass ornaments represent Laura’s self and characterize her fragility and delicate beauty. In particular, the glass unicorn greatly symbolizes her. As the unicorn is different from all the other glass horses, it adds a unique quality and virtual freakishness to her very characteristics (Kapcsos). Laura’s physical handicap differentiates her from others. She is just as easily broken as the glass unicorn is as unique. She instan tly regresses, just as it appears that Laura finally overcomes her shyness and hypersensitivity with Jim, the gentleman caller. Jim accidentally bumps into the unicorn, as it falls and breaks. The unicorn no longer retainsShow MoreRelated Escape Mechanisms in The Glass Menagerie Essay1333 Words   |  6 PagesEscape Mechanisms in The Glass Menagerie In Tennessee Williams’ play, The Glass Menagerie, all four members of the Wingfield family have chosen to hide from reality. Amanda tries to relive her past through Laura, and denies anything she does not want to accept. Laura is terrified of the real world, and choses to hide behind her limp, her glass menagerie and the victrola. Tom hides from his reality by going to the movies, writing poetry, and getting drunk. Mr Wingfield hides from his

The Difference Between Sessions and Cookies in PHP

In PHP, visitor information designated to be used across the site can be stored in either sessions  or cookies. Both of them accomplish much the same thing. The main difference between cookies and sessions is that information stored in a cookie is stored on the visitors browser, and information stored in a session is not—it is stored at the web server. This difference determines what each is best suited for. A Cookie Resides on the User's Computer Your website can be set to place a cookie on a users computer. That cookie maintains information in the users machine until the information is deleted by the user. A person may have a username and password to your website. That information can be saved as a cookie on the visitors computer, so there is no need for him to log in to your website on each  visit. Common uses for cookies include authentication, storage of site preferences, and shopping cart items. Although you can store almost any text in a browser cookie, a user can block cookies or delete them at any time. If, for example, your websites shopping cart utilizes cookies, shoppers who block cookies in their browsers cant shop at your website. Cookies can be disabled or edited by the visitor. Do not use cookies to store sensitive data. Session Information Resides on the Web Server A session is server-side information  intended to exist only throughout the visitors interaction with the website. Only a unique identifier is stored on the client side. This token is passed to the web server when the visitors browser requests your  HTTP address. That  token matches your website with the visitors information while the user is at your site. When the user closes the website, the session ends, and your website loses access to the information. If you dont need any permanent data, sessions are usually the way to go. They are a little easier to use, and they can be as large as needed, in comparison with cookies, which are relatively small. Sessions cannot be disabled or edited by the visitor.  Ã‚   So, if you have a site requiring a login, that information is better served as a cookie, or the user would be forced to log in every time he visits. If you prefer tighter security and the ability to control the data and when it expires, sessions work  best. You can, of course, get the best of both worlds. When you know what each does, you can use a combination of cookies and sessions to make your site work exactly the way you want it to work.

The Treatment Of A Cancer Diagnosis - 951 Words

A Cancer diagnosis may bring on many negative emotions, questions and uncertainties in a patient. Even though we now have different types of treatments for cancer, there are still numerous deaths annually attributed to the diagnosis. The World Health Organization has described the number of mortalities to be greater than 8.2 million annually around the world (World Health Organization [WHO], 2015). As nurses, we must serve as the patient’s advocate and empower them throughout the course of their illness. Nursing care for cancer needs to incorporate teaching and providing patient’s with knowledge concerning their diagnosis, treatments and side-effects, being present and supportive, showing emotional and spiritual encouragement and also using evidence-based interventions to help alleviate the patients’ pain and suffering brought on by their malady and treatments. Cells that make up a malignant neoplasm are cells that do not follow the usual path of self-destruction when they are malformed or damaged. They are no longer able to execute their required function in the body. Meanwhile, they also manage to thwart the body’s immune system, which if they were unable to avoid, would destroy them as it does other dysfunctional or unnecessary cells in the body. This is how these mutated cells are allowed to flourish in a body. Not only do cancer cells flourish, but they excel at aggressively creating more and more cancer cells at a rate faster than our own body’s cells proliferate,Show MoreRelatedCancer Diagnosis And Treatment Of Cancer Essay1480 Words   |  6 PagesCancer is characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth, and it disrupts normal body function, as it increases energy demands and alters body systems. There are many factors that can lead to the development of cancers, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental i nfluences. The presence of disease is not always obvious; therefore, it is imperative for individuals to participate in screening interventions to promote early detection. Cancer diagnosis and treatment requires a patient-centeredRead MoreDiagnosis And Treatment Of Cancer Essay1844 Words   |  8 Pages Cancer is very large throughout the U.S. and Canada, it is said that one and a half million people will receive a new diagnosis of cancer each year (Ignatavicius Workman, 2013).Many years back a diagnosis of cancer had a very poor outcome and you were basically considered dead. Technology and research have been focusing on cancer, and how to prevent it. This paper will review the diagnosis of cancer as well as the staging of cancer, as well as possible treatment options and side effects relatedRead MoreDiagnosis And Treatment Of Cancer1954 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction When it comes to the topic of cancer, most people readily agree that we have made leaps and bounds in diagnosis and treatment mechanisms. Where this disagreement usually begins, is on the question if finding a â€Å"cure† for cancer can be a reality. While some are convinced that a cure will come with time, others believe that a single cure is just not logical. The US waged a war on cancer when Nixon was in office, 1971, yet we haven’t overcome it yet (Gorski). After research, I believeRead MoreThe Diagnosis And Treatment Of Breast Cancer1947 Words   |  8 Pages3D Mammography The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and other non-cancerous diseases are very important in improving the quality of life for many women. The early diagnosis of the non-cancerous disease can reduce the incidence of breast cancer through effective treatment of mastopathy (fibrocystic of the breasts tissue). In the area of study, a variety of imaging modalities is implemented to assist with the diagnosis. These imaging modalities includes multi-frequency electrical impedanceRead MoreDiagnosis And Treatment Of Prostate Cancer1681 Words   |  7 PagesWhen we have diseases or don’t feel well, we tend to seek treatments and try to cure it as soon as possible. However, what if there is no reliable treatment or nearly no treatment available? Then, the only option is to do research. Life can be really difficult and no one wants any sickness or diagnosed with such a hard-to-cure disease like cancer. Prostate Cancer is a known cancer that happens to men only and a lot of men i n the U.S are diagnosed with it, and happens to male’s reproductive systemRead MoreCancer : Etiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment1718 Words   |  7 Pages Colon Cancer: Etiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Harold Scott Delaware Technical Community College Biology Professor Riggio November 18, 2014 Abstract A well-known fact is that cancer plays a major role in the area of health science in the United States. Cancer touches many individuals and many families across the nation. With a variety of types of cancer as well as causes, symptoms, and treatments cancer is a very broad topic of research. In particular my research focuses onRead MoreOvarian Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment1264 Words   |  5 PagesOvarian cancer symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Ovarian cancer is a malignant form of cancer that develops from the ovary and it is unlikely to be discovered by most patients during its early stages because its symptoms are very delicate. The fact that prognosis is sometimes difficult to perform makes it impossible for some individuals to be able to effectively fight the tumor. Many women are unable to understand that changes occurring in their bodies are actually a result of ovarian cancer. HundredsRead MoreCancer Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications, And Interventions Essay1807 Words   |  8 PagesOverview of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications, and Interventions Grand Canyon University Ola Glezen NRS-410V Pathophysiology and Nursing Management of Clients’ Health Professor J. Jones September 18, 2016 An Overview of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications, and Interventions In just 2016, about 595,690 people in the United States will die because of cancer. (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2016, p. 1). Even though the number of people who die because of cancer is decliningRead MoreDiagnosis And Treatment Of Breast Cancer2197 Words   |  9 PagesOne out of every eight women in the US is diagnosed with breast cancer every year. When women get older, their chances of developing breast cancer increases. In fact, 80% of all breast cancer patients are women ages fifty and up. As the number of breast cancer patients increases year after year, identification methods and treatments are beginning to advance. Doctors and pathologists are using the highest levels of technology to treat abnormalities inside of the body. The tumor is discovered throughRead MoreBreast Cancer Research : Diagnosis With Treatment1844 Words   |  8 PagesBreast Cancer Research Including the Diagnosis with Treatment Ellie A. Rider New Castle Career Center Health Science Education Mrs. Talbott December 2, 2014 Author Note Ellie A. Rider, Health Science Education, New Castle Career Programs. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ellie Rider, Health Science Education, New Castle Career Programs, New Castle IN, 47362. Contact: erider2015@gmail Abstract This paper will explain to you an in depth description of an illness

A Midsummer Nights Dream Shakespeare’s treatment of...

A Midsummer Nights Dream Shakespeare’s treatment of illusion and reality in the play A Midsummer Nights Dream is a comedy written by William Shakespeare, it is a play about lovers and includes madness, mayhem, magic and illusion. The title tells us of the inevitable confusion to come, as in Elizabethan times ‘A Midsummer Night’ was a festival linked with mayhem and chaos, and the fact it is a ‘dream’ conjures up ideas of illusion and fantasy. The play has two settings, Athens which represents reality, order and daylight and the woods, the world of the fairies, which symbolize illusion, magic, and a place of darkness. There are three main groups of characters the courtiers, the workmen and the fairies whose actions form†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ËœThis man hath bewitched the bosom of my child’. This speech introduces the idea that people’s feelings can be induced by magic, poetry and moonlight so they cannot tell the difference between illusion and reality. The young lovers decide to elope and arrange to meet each other in the woods. Hermia confides in her childhood friend, Helena of her and Lysander’s intentions. Helena is envious of Demetrius’s feelings for Hermia, and even though Hermia tries to put Helena’s mind at rest that she has no feelings for Demetrius, she is still jealous. Helena’s soliloquy of unrequited love, is an important scene in the play as she speaks of ‘Things base and vile, holding no quantity’, ‘Love can transpose to form and dignity’. She is explaining how the power of love, can transform what we would normally consider as undesirable into something quite beautiful. She decides to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plan in the hope that he will once again see her as he once did. This is where the mayhem begins as the lovers enter the woods, the world of the fairies. Most of the scenes are set in the night, and the darkness is an essential element. It is the time when most humans are sleeping, and magical beings are awakening. WeShow MoreRelatedEssay on A Midsummer Nights Dream: Critical Analysis3103 Words   |  13 PagesMandy Conway Mrs. Guynes English 12 16 March 2000 A Critical Analysis of quot;A Midsummer Nights Dreamquot; William Shakespeare, born in 1594, is one of the greatest writers in literature. He dies in 1616 after completing many sonnets and plays. One of which is quot;A Midsummer Nights Dream.quot; They say that this play is the most purely romantic of Shakespeares comedies. The themes of the play are dreams and reality, love and magic. This extraordinary play is a play-with-in-a-play, which master

Gates Vs Rockefeller Essay Research Paper Gates free essay sample

Gates Vs Rockefeller Essay, Research Paper Gates vs. Rockefeller ( an heroic poem affaire dhonneur between to immense concern moguls ) Over the old ages at that place have been many concerns and man of affairs. Some have prospered and some have lost everything. But merely a choice few have of all time dominated an full market and organize a true monopoly. The authorities forbids such concerns but people still strive to accomplish such stature. The two true human dynamos of the past 300 old ages in the concern universe would doubtless be William Henry Gates 3rd and John Davison Rockefeller. Both of these two concern masterminds have alone narratives about their rise to the top and there autumn, by reading this essay you shall derive a better apprehension of their narratives and covering? William Gates was born on October 28, 1955. His household had a history of being good in concern and political relations. We will write a custom essay sample on Gates Vs Rockefeller Essay Research Paper Gates or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page His male parent was a outstanding attorney and his gramps a president of a bank. Bill was a of course gifted kid who excelled in every class. His parents decided to direct him to a private school, which had an tremendous consequence on him, due to the fact he was introduced to computing machines. It was during his private school old ages where he met Paul Allen. Allan, Gates and a few other childs, started utilizing computing machines to compose plans but decided that they need somehow to practically utilize the machine in the existent universe. They got their first opportunity, by opportunity when Paul saw a magazine with a image of a personal computing machine. He told Gates, who was a pupil at Harvard, and Decided to name the company and state them they had written an operating system for the computing machine. This nevertheless was a prevarication because they didn? t even ain one of these machines. They had one opportunity to prove the plan and it worked absolutely. Gates so dr opped out of Harvard and he and Allen started a new company called Microsoft. In 1980, approached the two about programming a plan for a personal Personal computer. This was the birth of Ms-Dos. In 1987, he started forcing CD-ROMs, which turned out to be a good thought. The 1990s were brainsick old ages for Microsoft. The company became a immense participant and got huger and huger. As Microsoft became bigger and bigger the were able to utilize Predatory pricing to there advantage. That meant that they were able to cut down their monetary value so low no 1 could vie. Besides Bill has a bent for acquiring Personal computer companies to make things for Microsoft, such as seting Windowss on their computing machines or changing their plan to do Microsoft work better that anything else. These side trades, marauding pricing and other questionable methods, ended up seting Microsoft under the microscope by the federal authorities. They decided in early 2000, that Microsoft needed to be spli t in two or have heavy ordinances on them. Lone clip will state what will go on to? the richest adult male in the universe? business.J D Rockefeller was born on July 8, 1839 in Richford NY. His male parent was a con creative person who peddled worthless points to people and had several assholes. In 1955, when J D was 16, on the 26th or September, he got a clerking occupation that paid $ .50 a twenty-four hours. He celebrated that twenty-four hours for many old ages. He was besides a really spiritual individual and refused to imbibe or smoke. J D? s foremost concern was in the oil refinery concern. He and his spouse Sam Andrews opened a refinery in Cleveland. In 1870 he formed Standard Oil, which was a public company. J D had a bent for acquiring other companies to sell to him or to travel out of concern. He made secret trades with railwaies, the trades where that he would pay the normal monetary value for transit, but he would acquire a? discount? . For illustration if Joe Shmoe Refinery tried to transport a barrel of oil, it would be them $ 2, but if Standard Oil shipped the same barrel they would pay the $ 2 and acquire $ .70 back. As he became more powerful he was even able to demand that he have discounts on his rivals transporting. Besides he set up? blind Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelams? , which were smaller companies that were connected to Stand ard Oil but didn? t have the name of it. By the clip the smaller concerns realized it was Standard Oil seeking to run them out of concern it was excessively late. By 1978 Standard Oil had 90 % of all the state? s oil refineries. In 1882, Standard Oil turned into a trust. A trust had a board of trusties and could acquire around some of the US Torahs. The trust led to the Sherman Anti-trust Torahs, which made monopolies illegal. Ida Tarbell was one of Rockefeller? s biggest critics, she gad a score against him because she felt he had he father killed. In 1899 Standard Oil Trust was forced to fade out. It was broken down into Mobile, Exxon, Pennzoil and others. It was during Rockefeller? s retirement when you became a billionaire due to the stock he had in those companies. Besides during his life-time he gave money to many charities. The sum he donated has been estimated to be 850 million dollars.Both of these work forces are or where exceeding man of affairs. I personal fell that the authorities has been or is being to hard on these companies. For illustration in the Microsoft Case the consumer is non be harmed by Microsoft being so big. In fact the breadth of Microsoft might be good to consumers. The things that the authorities charged these companies are true but in my sentiment non really of import. The fact that Bill Gates has altered Microsoft Windowss to profit seems to me to be good concern, non some atrocious thing. Besides in the Microsoft instance both parts will still hold a monopoly. In the Standard Oil instance the smaller companies still were really successful and there are truly no enforcement if these companies still wanted to do secret trades. So in retrospect, the Government it incorrectly in interrupting up these companies. I think they have a bigger job with the individual being so affluent instead them with their concern. www.esrn.com/cirriculum/collections/biographys www.ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/gates.mirick.html The Movie- The Prize- Our Plan- Director William Cran Encyclopedia of Worlf biography- Volume~GA pg. 232-234 Encyclopedia of Worlf biography- Volume~RO pg. 226-228

Market Models - Guide To Financial Data Analysis

Question: Describe about the Essay for Market models for a guide to financial data analysis? Answer: Introduction This report analyzes the two major players in the telecommunication industry. Vodafone Plc and BT Group are amongst the major British players in a telecom Industry. Vodafone Plc is British multinational company and is the third largest by subscribers and revenue, behind the China Mobile and Verizon Communication. The company owns and operates networks in 26 countries and operates in 50 other companies through partnership in a network. Vodafone Plc has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100. The company has a market capital of 58.49 billion GBP. The stock has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. BT Group is a holding company of British Telecommunication Plc. BT Group is British multinational company and has HO in London. The company operates in more than 120 countries. Initially, the company was started as Electric Telegraph Company by the government. In 1984, British Telecommunication became private when the government sold 50% of a stake to investors. The government further reduces its holding from 1991 to 1993. The stock has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Below sections analyze both the companies on profitability and investor performance indicator. Also, the comparison has also made to find out better investment opportunity for individual shareholder for long-term value creation. Profitability Analysis Vodafone Plc Gross Margin: Gross margin shows how much the firm retains after covering direct cost associated with the product and services. Higher margin means the company retains a higher percentage of sales after covering the cost of goods. 2012 2013 2014 2015 Revenue 46,417 44,445 38,346 42,227 Gross Profit 14,871 13,940 10,404 11,345 Gross margin % 32.04% 31.36% 27.13% 26.87% Vodafone Plc has witnessed downturn in revenue from 2012 to 2014 and a slight recovery in 2015. The gross profit has also followed the same trend. Gross Profit margin declined gradually year on year through last four years. There was the major drop in gross margin in 2014 compared to previous year. Operating Margin: Its a measure of what proportion of revenue is left after covering the variable cost of the production. 2012 2013 2014 2015 Revenue 46,417 44,445 38,346 42,227 Operating Profit 11,187 4,728 - 3,913 1,967 Operating margin % 24.10% 10.64% -10.20% 4.66% The trend of operating margin is not clear and difficult to draw any conclusion from it. But it seems operating margin has a declining trend over last four years. The major downturn in 2014 was due to higher expenses on other operating expenses. Return on capital employed: Return on capital measures the companys profitability and efficiency with which its capital is employed. Higher return is desirable. 2012 2013 2014 2015 EBIT 11,187 4,728 - 3,913 1,967 Total Asset 139,576 142,698 121,840 122,573 Current Liability 24,025 31,224 25,039 28,897 Operating Profit % 9.68% 4.24% -4.04% 2.10% The above table shows that total asset declined over the years when current liability increased. It means, capital employed in the firm declined over last four years. Also, operating profit declined over last four years which is very evident in return on capital employed. The trend of the return on capital employed is declining. Return on capital employed was 9.68% in 2012 which declined to 2.10% in 2015. Hence, profitability and efficiency both measures are concerned for Vodafone Plc. Net Asset Turnover: Net asset turnover shows how asset intensive business is and how efficiently business is using resources. A higher ratio shows the business is asset intensive and its using resource efficiently. 2012 2013 2014 2015 Revenue 46,417 44,445 38,346 42,227 Total Asset 139,576 142,698 121,840 122,573 Current Liability 24,025 31,224 25,039 28,897 Net Asset Turnover 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.45 The trend of net asset turnover is constant over last four years and doesnt signify much about efficiency. As revenue also declined with a decline in total capital employed, the ratio is constant except in final year. Net asset turnover improved marginally in 2015. Looking at the range of values, its clear that the firm is not asset intensive. BT Group Gross Margin: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Revenue 19,265 18,416 18,287 17,979 Gross Profit 5,635 5,952 16,737 16,406 Gross Profit % 29.25% 32.32% 91.52% 91.25% BT Group has witnessed downturn in revenue from 2012 to 2014 and. The gross profit has also followed exactly the opposite trend. Gross Profit margin improved drastically year on year through last four years. There was a major hike in gross margin in 2014 compared to previous year. Operating Margin: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Revenue 19,265 18,416 18,287 17,979 Operating Profit 2,919 2,986 3,145 3,480 Operating Profit % 15.15% 16.21% 17.20% 19.36% The trend of operating margin is positive and its easy to draw the conclusion that operating margin improving year on year. Though revenue declined over the years, operating profit improved drastically year on year in last four years. Its very clear that improved gross profit is helping to maintain the higher operating profit. Return on Capital Employed: 2012 2013 2014 2015 EBIT 2,919 2,986 3,145 3,480 Total Asset 23,948 24,826 24,898 27,191 Current Liability 9,255 7,551 7,687 7,708 Operating Profit % 19.87% 17.29% 18.27% 17.86% The above table shows that total asset increased over the years when current liability witness declined. It shows capital employed to the company increased over the years. Also, earnings before interest and tax improved year and year. The trend of return on capital employed is not showing any pattern and expect a marginal decline in 2013, the ratio is trading in the narrow range. Net Asset Turnover: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Revenue 19,265 18,416 18,287 17,979 Total Asset 23,948 24,826 24,898 27,191 Current Liability 9,255 7,551 7,687 7,708 Net Asset Turnover 1.31 1.07 1.06 0.92 Net asset turnover shows a clear trend. The trend shows negative slope which indicates the efficiency of the firm utilizing its resources declined over the years. Investor Performance Indicator Analysis Vodafone Plc EPS: EPS measures the net profit per share. Here, Earnings per share for Vodafone Plc has been very volatile. It seems there has been profit adjustment between the year 2013 and 2014. In 2012 and 2013, earnings per share have been 0.25 GBP and 0.22 GBP respectively. 2012 2013 2014 2015 EPS 0.25 0.02 2.22 0.22 There is a sharp decline in earnings in 2013 and a sharp increase in 2014. Though operating profit was negative in 2014, there is a significant improvement in earnings per share which shows income improved because of extra-ordinary items (income from discontinuing operations). Overall, the trend of EPS is declining. P/E Ratio: P/E ratio shows multiple at which share trades against its earnings. 2012 2013 2014 2015 EPS 0.25 0.02 2.22 0.22 Share Price 172.20 186.60 220.30 220.45 P/E 6.89 93.30 0.99 10.02 Though earnings of Vodafone Plc. have been very volatile in last four years, the share price has shown improvement year on year. Its reflected also in P/E ratio. P/E ratio remained in a broad range of 0.99 to 93.30. In 2013, due to poor performance earnings per share declined to as low as 0.02 GBP. But share price didnt react to poor performance as a market was expecting to sell off one business segment in 2014. Due to business spun off in 2014, earnings boosted to 2.22 GBP per share but share didnt react much as it was due to non-operational reason. Except 2013 and 2013, P/E traded around a multiple of 10. Dividend Yield: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Div. 0.17 0.18 0.19 0.11 Share Price 172.20 186.60 220.30 220.45 Yield 9.87% 9.65% 8.62% 4.99% Though earnings of Vodafone Plc have been very volatile, the dividend paid to the shareholders remained consistent and increasing. The dividend yield has been in a range of 4.99% to 9.87%. Though earnings declined to 0.02 level in 2013, the company paid the dividend of 0.18 GBP per share which shows management is confident about future earnings. The trend of dividend yield is declining and is a major concern for the shareholders. Dividend Cover: Dividend cover shows the portion of the earnings paid to the shareholders as a dividend. 2012 2013 2014 2015 Div. 0.17 0.18 0.19 0.11 EPS 0.25 0.02 2.22 0.22 Cover 0.68 9.00 0.09 0.50 As earnings of Vodafone Plc have been very volatile while dividends paid remained constantly increasing, the trend of dividend cover doesnt help to draw any conclusion. Dividend cover has been in a range of 0.09 to 9. Dividend cover ratio higher than 1 means company is paying higher than earnings which were the case in the year of 2013. BT Group: EPS: 2012 2013 2014 2015 EPS 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.27 The trend of earnings is constant. Though it doesnt show any growth, it also doesnt show any decline though the industry is under pressure which is a positive sign. P/E Ratio: 2012 2013 2014 2015 EPS 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.27 Share Price 226.40 278.00 379.90 438.00 P/E 8.71 10.30 14.61 16.22 The trend of P/E is increasing as share price improved year on year significantly though earnings have been constant. It shows the market expects the better result in coming years and the company has performed better than its peers. P/E ratio improved year on year in last four years and almost doubled. Such increasing trend of P/E is unusual for large cap stock. The trend of P/E shows market confidence for BT Group. Dividend Yield: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Div. 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.11 Share Price 226.40 278.00 379.90 438.00 Yield 3.53% 3.60% 2.63% 2.51% Except 2015, the company paid increasing dividend year on year. As share price increased at a higher rate than the dividend, yield declined gradually over the years. The trend of dividend yield is declining. From the point of share price, dividend return may seem lower as the share price is increasing around 45% on an average year on year. Dividend Cover: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Div. 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.11 EPS 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.27 Cover 0.31 0.37 0.38 0.41 Dividend cover shows that the company is paying a higher portion of earnings as dividend year on year. This shows management confidence in improved future earnings. Dividend cover ratio improved from 0.31 to 0.41. A shareholder can expect higher dividend per share with improved earnings next year. Comparison and contrast of profitability between the two companies Gross margin: Gross margin % 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 32.04% 31.36% 27.13% 26.87% BT Group 29.25% 32.32% 91.52% 91.25% Gross margin of Vodafone is declining while Gross margin of BT Group is improving year on year. The trend of gross margin favors BT Group. Operating margin: Operating margin 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 24.10% 10.64% -10.20% 4.66% BT Group 15.15% 16.21% 17.20% 19.36% Operating margin of Vodafone is volatile and the trend is negative while operating margin of BT Group is stable and in positive growth trajectory. Return on capital employed: Return on capital employed 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 9.68% 4.24% -4.04% 2.10% BT Group 19.87% 17.29% 18.27% 17.86% Return on capital employed has the same trend as operating margin. The performance of Vodafone is very volatile and the trend is negative. The performance of BT Group is stable and the trend is constant. Net Asset Turnover Net asset turnover 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.45 BT Group 1.31 1.07 1.06 0.92 Though the historical trend of BT Group is declining, net asset turnover is significantly higher than Vodafone Plc. Comparison and contrast of investor performance ratios between the two companies EPS: EPS 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 0.25 0.02 2.22 0.22 BT Group 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.27 Earnings of Vodafone is volatile and its hard to draw any conclusion based on that. Earnings of BT Group is constant in an unfavorable market condition which is a positive indicator. P/E: P/E 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 6.89 93.30 0.99 10.02 BT Group 8.71 10.30 14.61 16.22 P/E ratio of Vodafone is very volatile and share is commanding very low P/E most of the times. P/E ratio of BT Group is increasing year on year and its robust. Yield: Yield 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 9.87% 9.65% 8.62% 4.99% BT Group 3.53% 3.60% 2.63% 2.51% Though there is a decline in yield for both the companies, but the decline of BT Group is much slower. Dividend Cover: Cover 2012 2013 2014 2015 Vodafone 0.68 9.00 0.09 0.50 BT Group 0.31 0.37 0.38 0.41 Dividend cover of Vodafone is very volatile and its difficult to predict its behavior. While dividend cover of BT Group is very stable and cover improved year on year. Its expected that dividend cover of BT Group will improve in coming year in-line with the historical performance. Conclusion Based on the profitability analysis and investor performance indicator analysis, one can conclude that profitability of Vodafone Plc is under pressure and efficiency of the company is declining. While BT Group is performing relatively better on profitability and efficiency than Vodafone. As far as investor performance indicator analysis is concerned, the performance of Vodafone is very volatile and poor while BT Group outperformed Vodafone Plc on every measure. Recommendation Based on the historical analysis of Vodafone Plc and BT Group, we recommend investing in a share of BT Group primarily due to three factors: Growth, Stability and Investors confidence in stock (P/E). The trend of the share price in last four years also confirms our recommendation. References Alexander, C. (2001). Market models: a guide to financial data analysis. John Wiley Sons. Brigham, E., Daves, P. (2012). Intermediate financial management. Cengage Learning. Brigham, E., Ehrhardt, M. (2013). Financial management: theory practice. Cengage Demonstratingvalue.org. (2015). Financial Ratio Analysis | Demonstrating Value. [online] Available at: https://www.demonstratingvalue.org/resources/financial-ratio-analysis [Accessed 7 Jun. 2015]. Hawkins, David F. "Basic Ratio Analysis and Equity Valuation." 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