Effects of the Pandemic on a Specific Industry
This is a formal paper. You will be
graded on content, along with spelling and grammatical quality. Use MLA format to write your paper
(parenthetical citations are permitted). Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins around,
and no longer than 750 words. Do not include a title page. I will only read the first 750 words. Points will be
deducted if these policies are not followed. It is highly recommended that you utilize the Writing Center to help
improve the quality of your paper. All assignments must be submitted using TurnItIn through Blackboard. You
will be graded on your discussion of the topic described below, as well as the support provided for your opinions.
Where possible, please use specific facts and data to support your opinions. You are required to use additional
sources to complete this assignment. There is a lot of information available on this topic. Use proper citation
format, footnotes or in-text citations, and a bibliography. Your bibliography must include the three (3) sources
below and at least two (2) additional sources. I reserve the right to ask to see drafts of your paper. Please save
earlier drafts for this purpose.
Answer the following questions:
1. Include an introduction that includes a brief discussion of the pandemic and its effects on the world.
2. What types of firms have benefited from the effects of the pandemic? What types of firms have been
negatively impacted by the pandemic?
3. Pick one firm in the Dow Jones Industrial Index to study further. Include a brief discussion of the firm,
the industry it falls in, and the expected effects of the pandemic. (see
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/%5EDJI/components/)
Find the firms most recent earnings report. For most firms, this will be a second or third-quarter earnings
release or conference call. Different firms use different terms. If you find that the information on the firm you
selected is difficult to find or understand, please select another firm.
4. How has the firm been affected by the pandemic? Discuss Sales and Profits and any other measure you
believe is relevant. Include support from the earnings release.
5. What actions have the firm taken in response to the pandemic. Have employees been laid off, have bonuses
been cut, etc? Do you believe these actions should have been taken?
6. What was the firms stock price on January 2, 2020? What was the firms stock price on September 2,
2020? Compute the return over this time period. What is the EAR on this stock?
7. Is the firms return consistent with your expectations of the effects of the pandemic on this firm? Clearly
explain your answer.
Include an introduction and conclusion to your paper.
