1-a. Compute the gross profit percentage in the current and previous years. Note: Round percentage values to 1 decimal place. 1-b. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 3-a. Compute the earnings per share for the current and previous years. Note: Round your answers to 2 decimal places. 3-b. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 4-a. Stockholders' equity totaled \\( \\$ 117,000 \\) at the beginning of the previous year. Compute the return on equity (ROE) ratios for the current and previous years. Note: Round percentage values to 1 decimal place. 4-b. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 7-a. Compute the times interest earned ratios for the current and previous years. Note: Round your answers to 1 decimal place. 7-b. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? Columbia Associates declared and paid a cash dividend of \\( \\$ 8,300 \\) in the current year. Its comparative financial statements, prepared at December 31 , reported the following summarized information: Required: 1. Compute the gross profit percentage in the current and previous years. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 2. Compute the net profit margin for the current and previous years. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 3. Compute the earnings per share for the current and previous years. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 4. Stockholders' equity totaled \\( \\$ 117,000 \\) at the beginning of the previous year. Compute the return on equity (ROE) ratios for the current and previous years. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 5. Net property and equipment totaled \\( \\$ 127,000 \\) at the beginning of the previous year. Compute the fixed asset turnover ratios for the current and previous years. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 6. Compute the debt-to-assets ratios for the current and previous years. Is debt providing financing for a larger or smaller proportion of the company's asset growth? 7. Compute the times interest earned ratios for the current and previous years. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 8. After Columbia Associates released its current year's financial statements, the company's stock was trading at \\( \\$ 35 \\). After the release of its previous year's financial statements, the company's stock price was \\( \\$ 32 \\) per share. Compute the P/E ratios for both years. Does it appear that investors have become more (or less) optimistic about Columbia's future success? 5-a. Net property and equipment totaled \\( \\$ 127,000 \\) at the beginning of the previous year. Compute the fixed asset turnover ratios for the current and previous years. Note: Round your answers to 2 decimal places. 5-b. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year? 8-a. After Columbia Associates released its current year's financial statements, the company's stock was trading at \\( \\$ 35 \\). After the release of its previous year's financial statements, the company's stock price was \\( \\$ 32 \\) per share. Compute the P/E ratios for both years. Note: Round your intermediate calculations to 2 decimal places and final answers to 1 decimal place. 8-b. Does it appear that investors have become more (or less) optimistic about Columbia's future success? 6-a. Compute the debt-to-assets ratios for the current and previous years. Note: Round your answers to 2 decimal places. 6-b. Is debt providing financing for a larger or smaller proportion of the company's asset growth? 2-a. Compute the net profit margin for the current and previous years. Note: Round percentage values to 1 decimal place. 2-b. Are the current-year results better, or worse, than those for the previous year