Case Name :      Whole Foods Market: The Deutsche Bank Report

Authors :           Michael J. Schill, Chris Blankenship

Source :             Darden School of Business

Case ID :           UV7269

Discipline :        Finance

Case Length :    13 pages

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

This case follows the financial-statement forecasting decisions of a Deutsche Bank research analyst for the natural and organic retailer Whole Foods Market in May 2014. Students evaluate the associated financial ratios with the forecast to ascertain whether the industry dynamics and company strategy are consistent with the forecast. The case expressly focuses on the asset side of the balance sheet as a preview for other cases using free cash flow forecasting. The forecast exercise exposes students to the mechanics of financial statement modeling and sensitivity analysis. Using a supplementary exhibit, the case can also be used to explore techniques in firm valuation with students debating whether the analyst should recommend a “buy” or a “sell.”