The balance sheet and income statement shown below are for Pettijohn Inc. Note that the firm has no amortization charges, it does not lease any assets, none of its debt must be retired during the next 5 years, and the notes payable will be rolled over.

Balance Sheet (Millions of $)
Assets	2016
Cash and securities	$ 1,554.0
Accounts receivable	9,660.0
Inventories	13,440.0
Total current assets	$24,654.0
Net plant and equipment	17,346.0
Total assets	$42,000.0
Liabilities and Equity
Accounts payable	$ 7,980.0
Notes payable	5,880.0
Accruals	4,620.0
Total current liabilities	$18,480.0
Long-term bonds	10,920.0
Total liabilities	$29,400.0
Common stock	3,360.0
Retained earnings	9,240.0
Total common equity	$12,600.0
Total liabilities and equity	$42,000.0
Income Statement (Millions of $)	2016
Net sales	$58,800.0
Operating costs except depr'n	$55,274.0
Depreciation	$ 1,029.0
Earnings bef int and taxes (EBIT)	$ 2,497.0
Less interest	1,050.0
Earnings before taxes (EBT)	$ 1,447.0
Taxes	$ 314.0
Net income	$ 1,133.0
Other data:
Shares outstanding (millions)	175.00
Common dividends	$ 509.83
Int rate on notes payable & L-T bonds	6.25%
Federal plus state income tax rate	21.7%
Year-end stock price	$77.69

Refer to the data for Pettijohn Inc. What is the firm's TIE?

a. 1.73

b. 2.14

c. 1.93

d. 2.38

e. 2.62