[The following information applies to the questions displayed below.] Simon Company's year-end balance sheets follow. At December 31 Assets Cash Current Year 1 Year Ago 2 Years Ago Merchandise inventory Accounts receivable, net Prepaid expenses Plant assets, net Total assets Liabilities and Equity $38,225 104,334 $ 42,512 $ 42,964 75,156 57,876 139,294 101,319 64,801 11,593 11,615 4,971 335,563 311,647 276,788 $629,009 $542,249 $447,400 Accounts payable $ 159,756 $94,389 $ 60,238 Long-term notes payable 114,706 128,459 98,875 Common stock, $10 par value 163,500 162,500 162,500 Retained earnings 191,047 156,901 125,787 Total liabilities and equity $629,009 $542,249 $447,400 For both the current year and one year ago, compute the following ratios: The company's income statements for the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, follow. The company's income statements for the Current Year and 1 Year Ago, follow. For Year Ended December 31 Sales Cost of goods sold Current Year 1 Year Ago $ 817,712 $645,276 $498,804 $419,429 Other operating expenses 253,491 163,255 Interest expense 13,901 14,841 Income tax expense 10,630 9,679 Total costs and expenses Net income Earnings per share 776,826 $40,886 $2.52 607,204 $ 38,072 $ 2.34 Additional information about the company follows. Common stock market price, December 31, Current Year Common stock market price, December 31, 1 Year Ago Annual cash dividends per share in Current Year Annual cash dividends per share 1 Year Ago $ 30.00 28.00 0.28 0.14 Required information For both the current year and one year ago, compute the following ratios: 1. Return on equity. 2. Dividend yield. 3a. Price-earnings ratio on December 31. 3b. Assuming Simon's competitor has a price-earnings ratio of 6, which company has higher market expectations for future growth? Complete this question by entering your answers in the tabs below. Required 1 Required 2 Required 3A Required 38 Compute the return on equity for each year. Return On Equity Numerator: Denominator: Return On Equity Net sales. Preferred dividends Average common stockholders' equity Return on equity 0 26 Current Year: 0 % 1 Year Ago: