A. Prepare a vertical analysis of the 2020 income statement data for Duke Company and Lord Company.

B. Comment on the relative profitability of the companies by computing the 2020 return on assets and the return on common stockholders' equity for both companies.

P18.1A (LO 2, 3) Writing Here are comparative statement data for Duke Company and Lord Company, two competitors. All balance sheet data are as of December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019. Net sales Cost of goods sold Operating expenses Interest expense Income tax expense Current assets Plant assets (net) Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Common stock, $10 par Retained earnings Duke Company 2020 2019 $1,849,000 1,063,200 240,000 6,800 62,000 325,975 $312,410 526,800 500,000 66,325 75,815 113,990 90,000 500,000 500,000 172,460 146,595 Lord Company 2020 2019 $546,000 289,000 82,000 3,600 28,000 83,336 $ 79,467 139,728 125,812 35,348 30,281 29,620 25,000 120,000 120,000 38,096 29,998 Instructions a. Prepare a vertical analysis of the 2020 income statement data for Duke Company and Lord Company. b. Comment on the relative profitability of the companies by computing the 2020 return on assets and the return on common stockholders' equity for both companies