Consecutive five-year balance sheets and income statements of the Laura Gibson Corporation are shown on the next page.

Required

a. Compute the following for the years ended December 31, 1997-2001:

1. Times interest earned 2. Fixed charge coverage 3. Debt ratio 4. Debt/equity ratio 5. Debt to tangible net worth

b. Comment on the debt position and the trends indicated in the longterm debt-paying ability.
Laura Gibson Corporation Balance Sheets December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2001 (Dollars in thousands) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 Assets Current Assets Cash $ 27,000 $ 26,000 $ 25,800 $ 25,500 $ 25,000 Accounts receivable, net 135,000 132,000 130,000 129,000 128,000 Inventories 128,000 130,000 134,000 132,000 126,000 Total current assets 290,000 288,000 289,800 286,500 279,000 Property, plant and equipment, net 250,000 248,000 247,000 246,000 243,000 Intangibles 20,000 18,000 17,000 16,000 15,000 Total assets $560,000 $554,000 $553,800 $548,500 $537,000 Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 75,000 $ 76,000 $ 76,500 $ 77,000 $ 78,000 Income taxes 13,000 13,500 14,000 13,000 13,500 Total current liabilities 88,000 89,500 90,500 90,000 91,500 Long-term debt 170,000 168,000 165,000 164,000 262,000 Stockholders’ equity 302,000 296,500 298,300 294,500 183,500 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $560,000 $554,000 $553,800 $548,500 $537,000 Laura Gibson Corporation Statement of Earnings Years Ended December 31, 1997– 2001 (In thousands, except per share) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 Net sales $920,000 $950,000 $910,000 $850,000 $800,000 Cost of goods sold 640,000 648,000 624,000 580,000 552,000 Gross margin 280,000 302,000 286,000 270,000 248,000 Selling, and administrative expense 156,000 157,000 154,000 150,000 147,000 Interest expense 17,000 16,000 15,000 14,500 23,000 Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes 107,000 129,000 117,000 105,500 78,000 Income taxes 36,300 43,200 39,800 35,800 26,500 Earnings from continuing operations 70,700 85,800 77,200 69,700 51,500 Discontinued operating earnings (loss), net of taxes:
From operations (1,400) 1,300 1,400 1,450 1,600 On disposal (900) — — — —
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operation (2,300) 1,300 1,400 1,450 1,600 Net earnings $ 68,400 $ 87,100 $ 78,600 $ 71,150 $ 53,100 Earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 1.53 $ 1.69 $ 1.46 $ 1.37 $ 1.25 Discontinued operations (.03) .01 .01 .01 .01 Net earnings per share $ 1.50 $ 1.70 $ 1.47 $ 1.38 $ 1.26 Note: Operating lease payments were as follows: 2001, $30,000; 2000, $27,000; 1999, $28,500;
1998, $30,000; 1997, $27,000. (Dollars in thousands)