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 2017 2016 2015 $31,400 34,500 37,500 59,900 50,200 3,485 374,854 252,055 168,915 $595,000 $445,000 $320,000 88,300 64,500 88,80284, 600 11,644 9,345 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable Long-term notes payable secured by $151,118 $ 74,453 115,216 102,350 166,166 105,697 43,085 mortgages on plant assets Common Retained earnings Total liabilities and equity 71,427 162,500 162,500 162,500 42,988 $595,000 $445,000 $320,000 stock, $10 par value The company's income statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, follow For Year Ended December 31 Sales Cost of goods sold Other operating expenses Interest expense Income taxes Total costs and expenses Net income 2017 2016 $773,500 529,550 $471,835 239,785 13,150 10,056 $344,208 133,976 12,180 7,943 734,826 38,674 $2.38 498,307 $ 31,243 $1.92 Earnings per share Additional information about the company follows. Common stock market price, December 31, 2017 Common stock market price, December 31, 2016 Annual cash dividends per share in 2017 Annual cash dividends per share in 2016 $32.00 30.00 0.24 0.12