Comparing Companies within an Industry: Refer to the financial statements of American Eagle Outfitters in Appendix B and Express in Appendix C and Industry Ratio Report in Appendix D (also in bCourses Modules). Answer all dollar amounts in thousands.

1. Compute the current ratio for both companies (rounding your answers to two decimal places). Compared to the industry average (from the Industry Ratio Report), are these two companies more or less able to satisfy short-term obligations with current assets? How is the current ratio influenced by these companies choice to rent space instead of buying it?

2. In the most recent year, how much cash, if any, was spent buying back (repurchasing) each companys own common stock?

3. How much, if any, did each company pay in dividends for the most recent year?

4. What account title or titles does each company use to report any land, buildings, and equipment it may have?