Profitability ratios help in the analysis of the combined impact of liquidity ratios, asset management ratios, and debt management ratios on the operating performance of a firm.

Your boss has asked you to calculate the profitability ratios of Randall and Arts Inc. and make comments on its second$-$year performance as compared with its first$-$year performance.

The following shows Randall and Arts Inc.$$s income statement for the last two years. The company had assets of $$9,400$ million in the first year and $$15,037$ million in the second year. Common equity was equal to $$5,000$ million in the first year, and the company distributed $100\%$ of its earnings out as dividends during the first and the second years. In addition, the firm did not issue new stock during either year.

Randall and Arts Inc. Income Statement For the Year Ending on December $31($Millions of dollars$)$

Year $2$

Year $1$

Net Sales $5,0804,000$

Operating costs except depreciation and amortization $1,1201,040$

Depreciation and amortization $254160$

Total Operating Costs $1,3741,200$

Operating Income $($or EBIT$)3,7062,800$

Less: Interest $371294$

Earnings before taxes $($EBT$)3,3352,506$

Less: Taxes $(25\%)834627$

Net Income $2,5011,879$

Calculate the profitability ratios of Randall and Arts Inc. in the following table. Convert all calculations to a percentage rounded to two decimal places.

Ratio

Value

Year $2$ Year $1$

Operating margin $70\mathrm{.}00\%$

Profit margin $49\mathrm{.}23\%$

Return on total assets $19\mathrm{.}99\%$

Return on common equity $37\mathrm{.}58\%$

Basic earning power $24\mathrm{.}65\%$

Decision makers and analysts look deeply into profitability ratios to identify trends in a company$$s profitability. Profitability ratios give insights into both the survivability of a company and the benefits that shareholders receive. Identify which of the following statements are true about profitability ratios. Check all that apply.

A higher operating margin than the industry average indicates either lower operating costs, higher product pricing, or both.

If a company$$s operating margin increases but its profit margin decreases, it could mean that the company paid more in interest or taxes.

An increase in a company$$s earnings means that the profit margin is increasing.

If a company issues new common shares but its net income does not increase, return on common equity will increase.