Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow.

At December 31Current Yr1 Yr Ago2 Yrs AgoAssetsCash$31,400$36,250$37,600Accounts receivable, net86,60063,50049,500Merchandise inventory110,50081,60054,000Prepaid expenses10,4009,3504,000Plant assets, net276,000

248,500227,000Total assets$514,900$439,200$372,100Liabilities and EquityAccounts payable$128,000$74,250$51,400Long-term notes payable secured by

mortgages on plant assets97,50099,25083,800Common stock, $10 par value162,000162,000162,000Retained earnings127,400103,70074,900Total liabilities and equity$514,900$439,200$372,100

The company's income statements for the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, follow.

For Year Ended December 31Current Yr1 Yr AgoSales$775,000$600,000Cost of goods sold$480,500$372,000Other operating expenses248,000138,000Interest expense11,30013,300Income tax expense9,5508,775Total costs and expenses749,350532,075Net income$25,650$67,925Earnings per share$1.58$4.19

For both the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, compute the following ratios:

(1-a)Profit margin ratio.

(1-b)Did profit margin improve or worsen in the Current Year versus 1 Year Ago?