Required information [The following information applies to the questions displayed below] of 3 Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow. 25.39 At December 31 Assets Cash Accounts receivable, net Merchandise inventory Prepaid expenses Plant assets, net Total assets Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable Long-term notes payable Common stock, $10 par value Retained earnings 10,700 278,500 $ 523,000 $ 129,900 5 445,000 Current Year 1 Year Ago 2 Years Ago 5 31,000 35,625 $37,000 $9,500 62,500 50,200 112,500 82,500 54,000 9,375 5,000 255,000 230,500 $377,500 Total liabilities and equity $445,000 The company's income statements for the current year and one year ago, follow. 98,500 163,500 131,100 523,000 $75,250 101,500 $51,250 83,500 163,500 163,500 104,750 79,250 377,500 ences For Year Ended December 31 Sales Cost of goods sold other operating expenses Interest expense Income tax expense Total costs and expenses Net income Earnings per share Current Year 1 Year Ago $673,500 $532,000 $411,225 209,550 12,100 9,525 $345,500 134,980 13,300 642,400 $ 31,100 $ 1.90 8,045 502,625 $ 29,375 $ 1.80 (3-a) Compute times interest earned for the current year and one year ago. (3-b) Based on times interest earned, is the company more or less risky for creditors in the Current Year versus 1 Year Ago? Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 3A Required 38 Compute times interest earned for the current year and one year ago. Current Year: 1 Year Ago: Numerator: Times Interest Earned Denominator: Times Interest Earned Times Interest earned times Mestred 3A Required 38 > times Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 3A Required 38 Based on times interest earned, is the company more or less risky for creditors in the Current Year versus 1 Year Ago? Based on times interest earned, the company is for creditors in the current year versus one year ago < Required 3A