14.28 points Presented below are condensed financial statements adapted from those of two actual companies competing as the primary players in a specialty area of the food manufacturing and distribution industry. ($ in millions, except per share amounts.) Delance Sheeta 7 eBook Print Assets Cash Accounts receivable (set) Short-term investments Inventory Prepaid expenses and other current assets Current assets Property, plant, and equipment (net) Metropolitan $ Republic 271.3 $ 42.8 503.7 403.0 8.1 550.4 308.2 205.6 567.7 $1,729.0 2,589.0 $ 1,531.0 2,696.2 287.3 582.7 $4.901.5 References Accounts payable Short-ters notes Intangibles and other assets Total assets $4,514.5 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 560.9 301.1 $ 337.2 673.2 632.4 612.5 $ 1,535.2 $2,022.1 434.6 635.3 464.6 202.0 697.7 186.1 Accruals and other current liabilities Current liabilities Long-term debt Deferred tax liability other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Common stock (par and additional paid-in capital) Retained earnings Less: Treasury stock Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Het sales Cost of goods sold Gross profit Operating expenses Interest expense Incore before taxes Income tax expense Net income Net income per share $ 4,514.5 Income Statements 2,836.4 219.9 2,556.9 (1,098.7) $ 5,784.0 (2,830.0) $2,954.0 (1,656.7) (77.8) $ 1,219.5 $ 3,541.2 428.0 1,690.9 (758.6) $ 4,901.5 $ 7,845.2 (4,399.7) $3,445.5 (2,742.2) (44.6) 656.7 (300.7) 918.8 $ (124.1) $30.6 $ 2.5 $ 7.5 Evaluate and compare the two companies by responding to the following questions. Note: Because comparative statements are not provided you should use year-end balances in place of average balances as appropriate.