(Alternate is 12-46.) This problem uses the same data as problem 12-43, but it can be solved independently. Price-Break and Low-Cost are both discount store chains. Condensed income statements and balance sheets for the two companies are shown in Exhibit 12-13. Amounts are in thousands.

Additional information follows:

Cash dividends per share: Price-Break, $2.10; Low-Cost, $1.50

Market price per share: Price-Break, $50; Low-Cost, $35

Average shares outstanding for 20X9: Price-Break, 15 million; Low-Cost, 8 million

Compute the following ratios for both companies for 20X9: (a) current, (b) quick, (c) accounts receivable turnover, (d) inventory turnover, (e) total-debt-to-total-assets, (f) total-debt-to-total-equity, (g) ROE, (h) gross profit rate, (i) return on sales, (j) total asset turnover, (k) pretax return on assets, (l) EPS, (m) P-E, (n) dividend-yield, and (o) dividend-payout. Total debt includes all liabilities. Assume all sales are on credit.

Compare the liquidity, solvency, profitability, market price, and dividend ratios of Price-Break with those of Low-Cost.