Required information [The following information applies to the questions displayed below.] Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow. 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 Current Year 1 Year Ago 2 Years Ago $ 25,343 77,198 $ 30,870 41,159 43,843 $ 438,300 $ 108,045 80,752 $ 63,217 162,500 87,003 87,773 162,500 64,355 $ 438,300 $ 377,845 Retained earnings Total liabilities and equity 93,292 8,078 234,389 $ 30,832 53,956 67,804 8,173 217,080 $ 377,845 3,430 186,398 $ 305,700 $ 39,545 68,911 162,500 34,744 $ 305,700 The company's income statements for the current year and one year ago, follow. 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 $ 569,790 $ 347,572 176,635 9,686 7,407 1 Year Ago $ 449,636 541,300 $ 28,490 $ 1.75 $ 292,263 113,758 10,342 6,745 423,108 $ 26,528 $ 1.63