Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow At December 31 Assets Cash Accounts receivable, Current Yr 1 Yr Ago 2 Yrs Ago $28,019 $ 31,779 $ 34,117 78,796 58,451 44,138 net Merchandise inventory 100,082 74,239 48,450 Prepaid expenses 8,934 8,683 3,753 Plant assets, net 254,378 232,194 210,742 Total assets $470,201 $405,346 $341,200 Accounts payable Long-term notes Liabilities and Equity payable secured by $118,251 $ 66,448 $45,038 mortgages on plant assets 90,166 96,026 76,159 Common stock, $10 par 162,500 162,500 162,500 value Retained earnings 99,284 88,372 57,503 Total liabilities and $470,201 $405,346 $341,200 equity The company's income statements for the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, follok For Year Ended Current Yr December 31 1 Yr Ago Sales $611,261 $482,362 Cost of goods $372,869 $313,535 sold Other operating 189,491 expenses Interest expense 10,391 122,038 11,094 Income tax 7,946 7,235 expense Total costs and 580,697 453,982 expenses Net income $ 30,564 $ 28,460 Earnings per $ 1.88 $ 1.75 share For both the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, compute the following ratios (3-a) Times interest earned (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 Required 3A 38 Times interest earned. Current Year: 1 Year Ago Times Interest Earned Choose Denominator: Interest expense Choose Numerator Income before interest and income tax A = (Required 38 Required 38 > Times Interest Earned Times interest eamed oltimes O times