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 secured by 2017 2016 2015 $ 38,357 $44,835 $ 45,330 61,032 61,831 4,839 339,665313,838 275,868 $637,367 $549,454 $ 448,900 76,924 137,034 102,665 11,192 110,080 12,231 $157,117 94,715 60,440 mortgages on plant assets Common stock, $10 par value Retained earnings Total liabilities and equity 116,230 125,111 101,191 162,500 162,500 162,500 201,520 167,128 124,769 $637,367 $549,454$448,900 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 $828,577 $ 653,850 $505,432 256,859 14,086 10,772 $425,003 165,424 15, 039 9,808 787,149 $ 41,428 $2.55 615,274 $ 38,576 $ 2.37 Earnings per share (2) Debt-to-equity ratio. Debt-To-Equity Ratio Choose Numerator: Choose Denominator: Debt-To-Equity Ratio Debt-to-equity ratic 2017: to 1 2016: to 1