Given the following data for Profiteers, Inc., and the corresponding industry averages, perform a trend analysis of the return on investment and the return on stockholders€™ equity. Plot the data and discuss any trends that are apparent. Also, discuss the underlying causes of these trends.

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Years 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Profiteers, Inc. 10% 9% 11% 12% 14% Net profit margin 1.21 x 1.19 x 1.20 x 1.22 x 1.26 x Asset turnover 1.63 x 1.65 x 1.61 x 1.40 x 1.34 x Equity multiplier Years 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Industry Averages 10% 10% 11% 11% 12% Net profit margin 1.34 x 1.31 x 1.30 x 1.27 x 1.25 x Asset turnover 1.53 x 1.51 x 1.47 x 1.45 x 1.42 x Equity multiplier