Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow. At December 31 Current Year 1 Year Ago 2 Years Ago Assets Cash $ 33,866 $ 39,194 $ 40,011 Accounts receivable, net 99,126 69,962 55,526 Merchandise inventory 123,411 92,450 59,146 Prepaid expenses 10,690 10,289 4,582 Plant assets, net 301,227 278,036 253,135 Total assets $ 568,320 $ 489,931 $ 412,400 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable $ 142,927 $ 81,970 $ 53,892 Long-term notes payable 106,844 114,938 91,140 Common stock, $10 par value 163,500 162,500 163,500 Retained earnings 155,049 130,523 103,868 Total liabilities and equity $ 568,320 $ 489,931 $ 412,400 For both the current year and one year ago, compute the following ratios: Express the balance sheets in common-size percents. Assuming a

1. Express the balance sheets in common-size percents.
2. Assuming annual sales have not changed in the last three years, is the change in accounts receivable as a percentage of total assets favorable or unfavorable?
3. Assuming annual sales have not changed in the last three years, is the change in merchandise inventory as a percentage of total assets favorable or unfavorable?