Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow. Current Yr 1 Yr Ago 2 Yrs Ago 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 mortgages on plant assets Common stock, $10 par value Retained earnings Total liabilities and equity $ 31,800 $ 35,625 $ 37,800 89,500 62,500 50.200 112,500 82,500 54,000 10,700 9,375 5,000 278,500 255,000 230,500 $523,000 $445,000 $ 377.500 $ 129,900 $ 75,250 $ 51,250 98,500 163,500 131,100 $523,000 101,500 83,500 163,500 163,500 104,750 79,250 $ 445,000 $ 377,500 The company's income statements for the current year and 1 year ago, follow. For Year Ended December 31 Current Yr 1 Yr Ago Sales $673,500 $ 532,000 Cost of goods sold $ 411,225 $345,500 Other operating expenses 209,550 134,980 Interest expense 12,100 13,300 Income tax expense 9,525 8,845 Total costs and expenses 642,400 502,625 Net Income $ 31,100 $ 29,375 Earnings per share $ 1.90 $ 1.80 For both the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, compute the following ratios: 16. (1-a) Profit margin ratio. (1-b) Did profit margin improve or worsen in the Current Year versus 1 Year Ago? Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 1A Required 18 Profit margin ratio. Profit Margin Ratio 1 Choose Denominator: Choose Numerator: Profit Margin Ratio Profit margin ratio 1 Current Year: 1 Year Ago: 4 % Required 10 > (2) Total asset turnover. Total Asset Turnover Choose Denominator: Choose Numerator: Current Year: 1 Year Ago: Total Asset Turnover Total asset turnover times times 1 1 (3-a) Return on total assets (3-6) Based on return on total assets, did Simon's operating efficiency improve or worsen in the Current Year versus 1 Year Ago? Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 3A Required 38 Return on total assets Return On Total Assets Choose Denominator Choose Numerator Return On Total Assets Return on total assets 1 1 Current Year: 1 Year Ago 1 Required 30 >