Comparative financial statements for Bent Stew Enterprises are shown below: December 31 2014 2013 Assets Current assets: Cash $ 3,000 $ 800 Accounts receivable 8,500 6,000 Inventory 12,000 8,200 Prepaid expenses 1,400 900 Total current assets 24,900 15,900 Property, plant, and equipment, net 103,600 123,300 Intangible assets, net 64,000 47,000 Total assets $192,500 $186,200 Liabilities and Stockholders Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 11,000 $ 12,000 Other current liabilities 11,800 3,200 Total current liabilities 22,800 15,200 Long-term debt 120,000 128,000 Total liabilities 142,800 143,200 Stockholders equity: Common stock 15,000 15,000 Additional paid-in capital 20,000 20,000 Retained earnings 14,700 8,000 Total stockholders equity 49,700 43,000 Total liabilities and stockholders equity $192,500 $186,200 Year Ended December 31 2014 2013 Sales $250,000 $ 230,000 Cost of goods sold 164,000 142,300 Gross margin 86,000 87,700 Operating expenses 64,000 54,000 Operating income 22,000 33,700 Interest expense 7,500 5,900 Earnings before income taxes 14,500 27,800 Income taxes 7,800 7,140 Net earnings $ 6,700 $ 20,660 Using horizontal analysis, how would you best describe the change in the companys operating expenses from 2013 to 2014?

A. Operating expenses increased from 1.63% of net earnings to 9.55% of net earnings from 2013 to 2014.

B. Operating expenses increased by $10,000 from 2013 to 2014.

C. Operating expenses increased from 23.5% to 25.6% of sales from 2013 to 2014.

D. Operating expenses increased by 18.5% from 2013 to 2014.