PROBLEM:

The income statements for Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW), spanning the period 20142016 (just before the housing crash, so these are representative years) are found here:

a. Calculate the times interest earned ratio for each of the years for which you have data.

b. What is your assessment of how the firm's ability to service its debt obligations has changed over this period?

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QUESTIONS:

A. The times interest earned ratio for 2016 was (?) times. (Round to two decimal places.)

The times interest earned ratio for 2015 was (?) times. (Round to two decimal places.)

The times interest earned ratio for 2014 was (?) times. (Round to two decimal places.)

B. What is your assessment of how the firm's ability to service its debt obligations has changed over this period?(Select the best choice below.)

a.) Lowe's ability to service its debt obligations has been declining every single year.

b.) Lowe's ability to service its debt obligations has been increasing lately.

c.) Lowe's ability to service its debt obligations has been steady over the years.

d.)Lowe's ability to service its debt obligations has been declining lately.

his period? (Select the best choice below.) i Data Table x 3 Net operating income (EBIT) Interest expense Earnings before taxes Income taxes Net income 2016 $4,971,000 (552,000) $4,419,000 (1,870,000) $2,549,000 2015 $4,792,000 (516,000) $4,276,000 (1,580,000) $2,696,000 2014 $4,149,000 (476,000) $3,673,000 (1,390,000) $2,283,000 Print Done