Which year appears to be more profitable,? 

Which year indicates there is more financial risk? 

Which year appears to be the more efficient in using assets?

For each question, explain your answer by indicating what measures you used to reach your conclusion.

Stargel, Inc.
Comparative Retained Earnings Statement
For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
				2017	2016
Retained earnings, January 1				5,375,000	4,545,000
Add: net income				900,000	925,000
Total				6,275,000	5,470,000
Deduct dividends:
	On preferred stock			45,000	45,000
	On common stock			50,000	50,000
		Total		95,000	95,000
Retained earnings, December 31				6,180,000	5,375,000
Stargel, Inc.
Comparative Income Statement
For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
				2017	2016
Sales (all on account)				10,050,000	9,450,000
Sales returns and allowances				50,000	50,000
Net sales				10,000,000	9,400,000
Cost of goods sold				5,350,000	4,950,000
Gross profit				4,650,000	4,450,000
Selling expenses				2,000,000	1,880,000
Administrative expenses				1,500,000	1,410,000
Total operating expenses				3,500,000	3,290,000
Income from operations				1,150,000	1,160,000
Other income				150,000	140,000
				1,300,000	1,300,000
Other expense (interest)				170,000	150,000
Income before income tax				1,130,000	1,150,000
Income tax expense				230,000	225,000
Net income				900,000	925,000
Stargel, Inc.
Comparative Balance Sheet
December 31, 2017 and 2016
				Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Current assets:
	Cash			500,000	400,000
	Marketable securities			1,010,000	1,000,000
	Accounts receivable, net			740,000	510,000
	Inventories			1,190,000	950,000
	Prepaid expenses			250,000	229,000
		Total current assets		3,690,000	3,089,000
Long-term investments				2,350,000	2,300,000
Property, plant, and equipment, net				3,740,000	3,366,000
Total assets				9,780,000	8,755,000
Liabilities
Current liabilities				900,000	880,000
Long-term liabilities
	Note payable, 8%, due 2020			200,000	-
	Bonds payable, 10%, due 2025			1,500,000	1,500,000
		Total long-term liabilities		1,700,000	1,500,000
Total liabilities				2,600,000	2,380,000
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred $.90 stock, $10 par				500,000	500,000
Common stock, $5 par				500,000	500,000
Retained earnings				6,180,000	5,375,000
	Total stockholders' equity			7,180,000	6,375,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity				9,780,000	8,755,000

Calculate the following ratios for both years: current ratio, average days to sell inventory (use ending inventory), debt to assets ratio, return on investment (use total assets), gross margin percentage, asset turnover (use ending asset balance), return on sales, and plant assets to long-term debt ratio. Include all formulas and intermediate calculations.