You have just been hired as a financial analyst for Lydex Company, a manufacturer of safety helmets. Your boss has asked you to perform a comprehensive analysis of the companys financial statements, including comparing Lydexs performance to its major competitors. The companys financial statements for the last two years are as follows: Lydex Company Comparative Balance Sheet This Year Last Year Assets Current assets: Cash $ 920,000 $ 1,160,000 Marketable securities 0 300,000 Accounts receivable, net 2,540,000 1,640,000 Inventory 3,560,000 2,100,000 Prepaid expenses 250,000 190,000 Total current assets 7,270,000 5,390,000 Plant and equipment, net 9,440,000 9,010,000 Total assets $ 16,710,000 $ 14,400,000 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities: Current liabilities $ 3,970,000 $ 2,900,000 Note payable, 10% 3,640,000 3,040,000 Total liabilities 7,610,000 5,940,000 Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $75 par value 7,500,000 7,500,000 Retained earnings 1,600,000 960,000 Total stockholders' equity 9,100,000 8,460,000 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 16,710,000 $ 14,400,000 Lydex Company Comparative Income Statement and Reconciliation This Year Last Year Sales (all on account) $ 15,820,000 $ 13,180,000 Cost of goods sold 12,656,000 9,885,000 Gross margin 3,164,000 3,295,000 Selling and administrative expenses 1,400,000 1,588,000 Net operating income 1,764,000 1,707,000 Interest expense 364,000 304,000 Net income before taxes 1,400,000 1,403,000 Income taxes (30%) 420,000 420,900 Net income 980,000 982,100 Common dividends 340,000 491,050 Net income retained 640,000 491,050 Beginning retained earnings 960,000 468,950 Ending retained earnings $ 1,600,000 $ 960,000 To begin your assignment you gather the following financial data and ratios that are typical of companies in Lydex Companys industry: Current ratio 2.3 Acid-test ratio 1.1 Average collection period 40 days Average sale period 60 days Return on assets 8.8 % Debt-to-equity ratio 0.7 Times interest earned ratio 5.8 Price-earnings ratio 10 Required: 1. You decide first to assess the companys performance in terms of debt management and profitability. Compute the following for both this year and last year: (Round your "Percentage" answers to 1 decimal place and other answers to 2 decimal places.) a. The times interest earned ratio. b. The debt-to-equity ratio. c. The gross margin percentage. d. The return on total assets. (Total assets at the beginning of last year were $13,030,000.) e. The return on equity. (Stockholders equity at the beginning of last year totaled $7,968,950. There has been no change in common stock over the last two years.) f. Is the companys financial leverage positive or negative?