Kijijo Auctions runs an online auction company. Its year-end financial statements indicate the following results. 

Total assets = $120,000

 Total liabilities = $70,000 

Common shares = $12,000 

Dividends = $5,200 Expenses = $82,000 

Retained earnings (beginning of year) = $17,000

1. Calculate the company's net profit margin expressed as a percentage

2. Indicate if it represents an improvement or deterioration in relation to the 18 percent net profit margin obtained in the previous year