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in order to copy the contents of the data table below into a spreadsheet.)

	2016		2017
EBIT	$291,885		$186,993
Interest expense	$46,706		$69,869
Taxes	$53,939		$25,767
Net profit	$191,240		$91,357	The following data have been gathered from the financial statements of General Nutrition Centers: LOADING... . Calculate the times interest earned ratios for 2016 and 2017. Is the company more or less able to meet its interest payments in 2017 when measured this way?The firm's times interest earned ratio for 2016 is enter your response here. (Round to two decimal places.)The firm's times interest earned ratio for 2017 is enter your response here. (Round to two decimal places.)Is the company more or less able to meet its interest payments in 2017 when measured this way?(Select the best choice below.) A.The company is less able to meet its interest payments in 2017 because interest coverage fell. B.The company is more able to meet its interest payments in 2017 because interest coverage rose. C.The company is more able to meet its interest payments in 2017 because interest coverage fell. D.The company is less able to meet its interest payments in 2017 because interest coverage rose.