Research Project Synopsis

Name

USN

Elective

Date of Submission
 Title
 Financial Statement Analysis

 Problem Statement (200 words)

In the dynamic US retail landscape, Walmart faces the challenge of achieving
sustained financial growth while responding to the increasing demand for
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibility. This research seeks
to address this dual challenge through three interrelated objectives.
Firstly, a comprehensive financial analysis will be conducted, leveraging key
performance indicators from Walmart's 10-K reports to assess its profitability,
liquidity, and cash flow.
Secondly, the study will delve into Walmart's commitment to ESG initiatives,
scrutinizing practices related to environmental conservation, social responsibility,
and governance.
Thirdly, a comparative analysis with Amazon will be undertaken, focusing on
both financial metrics and ESG initiatives. This comparative approach aims to
identify industry best practices and strategic insights, providing a nuanced
understanding of Walmart's position within the competitive retail sector.

By seamlessly integrating these objectives, this research aims to unravel the

intricate relationship between financial performance, ESG initiatives, and industry
competition, offering valuable insights that contribute to Walmart's strategic
decisions in navigating the complexities of financial success and sustainable,
socially responsible business practices within the retail sector.

 Objectives of the Research

 Evaluate Walmart's financial performance through a comprehensive analysis
of key indicators, including profitability, liquidity, and cash flow, based on 10-K
reports.
 Investigate Walmart's commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance
(ESG) initiatives, examining practices related to environmental conservation,
social responsibility, and governance.
 Conduct a comparative analysis between Walmart and Amazon, focusing
on financial metrics and ESG initiatives, to identify industry best practices
and strategic insights.
 Research Methodology (500 words)
 This research project employs a dual-methodology approach
encompassing both descriptive and exploratory research methods.

 Descriptive Research:
• Descriptive research is utilized to analyze Walmart's financial
performance comprehensively. Historical data from 10-K reports and
financial statements will be systematically examined to derive key
performance indicators, conduct trend analysis, and assess financial
ratios. This approach aims to provide a detailed and quantifiable
overview of Walmart's financial landscape.

 Exploratory Research:
• Exploratory research forms an integral part of the project, specifically
focusing on Walmart's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
initiatives. Qualitative methods, including content analysis of
sustainability reports and corporate social responsibility statements,
will be employed to gain in-depth insights into the company's
commitment to environmental conservation, social responsibility, and
governance practices. This approach allows for a nuanced
exploration of qualitative aspects related to ESG initiatives.

 Data Collection Methods is secondary data collection. Here researcher will rely
on the company financial information from form 10-K and other financial reports
to gather the information.

 Limitation (200 words)

Firstly, the accuracy and completeness of financial and Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG) data sourced directly from Walmart's reports
may be constrained, potentially affecting the depth of analysis. Additionally,
the reliability of external sources providing comparative data on Amazon
may vary, introducing potential limitations to the robustness of the
comparative analysis. Temporal constraints may limit the study's ability to
capture recent developments, and the qualitative nature of the ESG
assessment introduces subjectivity, influencing the overall consistency of the
analysis. Unforeseen economic or global events may impact financial
performance, and changes in Walmart's leadership or strategic direction
during the study period may not be fully reflected in financial and ESG
metrics.
 Work Plan (Week 1 to Week 8)
 Provide an outline of planned research tasks that will be conducted during
eight weeks of the research project.

Week No. Activities Completed

Deciding the research topic and locating the

Week 1 secondary data

Deciding the objectives of the research,

Week 2 understanding the research limitations, deciding
the research methodology
Conduct a thorough review of existing literature on
Week 3 financial analysis, ESG initiatives, and comparative
studies in the retail industry.
Collect financial data from Walmart's official 10-K
Week 4 reports, annual reports, and other financial
statements.
Start the financial analysis of Walmart, focusing on
Week 5 key performance indicators and financial ratios.

Conduct a detailed comparative analysis between

Week 6 Walmart and Amazon, incorporating financial
metrics and ESG benchmarks.
Summarizing key findings and trends.
Week 7

Drafting the research report, outlining key sections,

Week 8 and ensuring clarity in presenting the research
outcomes.