Required information [The following information applies to the questions displayed below.] Simon Companys year-end balance sheets follow. At December 31 2017 2016 2015 Assets Cash $ 31,800 $ 35,625 $ 37,800 Accounts receivable, net 89,500 62,500 50,200 Merchandise inventory 112,500 82,500 54,000 Prepaid expenses 10,700 9,375 5,000 Plant assets, net 278,500 255,000 230,500 Total assets $ 523,000 $ 445,000 $ 377,500 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable $ 129,900 $ 75,250 $ 51,250 Long-term notes payable secured by mortgages on plant assets 98,500 101,500 83,500 Common stock, $10 par value 163,500 163,500 163,500 Retained earnings 131,100 104,750 79,250 Total liabilities and equity $ 523,000 $ 445,000 $ 377,500 The companys income statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, follow. For Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 Sales $ 673,500 $ 532,000 Cost of goods sold $ 411,225 $ 345,500 Other operating expenses 209,550 134,980 Interest expense 12,100 13,300 Income taxes 9,525 8,845 Total costs and expenses 642,400 502,625 Net income $ 31,100 $ 29,375 Earnings per share $ 1.90 $ 1.80 Calculate the companys long-term risk and capital structure positions at the end of 2017 and 2016 by computing the following ratios.

(2) Debt-to-equity ratio.

3) Times interest earned.