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 Blur Corp. and make comments on its second-year performance as compared with its first-year performance. The following shows Blur Corp.'s income statement for the last two years. The company had assets of $8,225 million in the first year and $13,157 million in the second year. Common equity was equal to $4,375 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. Blur Corp. Income Statement For the Year Ending on December 31 (Millions of dollars) Year 2 Year 1 Net Sales 4,445 3,500 Operating costs except depreciation and amortization 1,855 1,723 Depreciation and amortization 222 140 Total Operating Costs 2,077 1,863 2,368 1,637 Operating Income (or EBIT) Less: Interest 237 213 2,131 1,424 Earnings before taxes (EBT) Less: Taxes (25%) 533 356 Net Income 1,598 1,068 Calculate the profitability ratios of Blur Corp. in the following table. Convert all calculations to a percentage rounded to two decimal places. Ratio Value Year 2 Year 1 Operating margin 53.27% 46.77% Profit margin 35.95% 30.51% Return on total assets 12.15% 12.98% Return on common equity 36.53% 24.41% Basic earning power 18.00% 19.90% 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