Simon Company’s year-end balance sheets follow. At December 31 2017 2016 2015Assets Cash $ 36,335 $ 42,472 $ 42,524 Accounts receivable, net 107,459 73,568 56,120 Merchandise inventory 139,163 102,226 60,994 Prepaid expenses 12,179 11,377 4,773 Plant assets, net 333,281 312,096 273,889 Total assets $ 628,417 $ 541,739 $ 438,300 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable $ 159,605 $ 89,723 $ 59,013 Long-term notes payable secured bymortgages on plant assets 120,505 123,354 94,927 Common stock, $10 par value 162,500 162,500 162,500 Retained earnings 185,807 166,162 121,860 Total liabilities and equity $ 628,417 $ 541,739 $ 438,300 The company’s income statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, follow. For Year Ended December 31 2017 2016Sales $ 816,942 $ 644,669 Cost of goods sold $ 498,335 $ 419,035 Other operating expenses 253,252 163,101 Interest expense 13,888 14,827 Income taxes 10,620 9,670 Total costs and expenses 776,095 606,633 Net income $ 40,847 $ 38,036 Earnings per share $ 2.51 $ 2.34 Calculate the company’s long-term risk and capital structure positions at the end of 2017 and 2016 by computing the following ratios.(1) Debt and equity ratios. Debt Ratio 1 Choose Denominator: Choose Numerator: = Debt Ratio Debt ratio 2017: 2016: Equity Ratio Choose Denominator: Choose Numerator: = Equity Ratio Equity ratio 2017: 2016:(2) Debt-to-equity ratio. Debt-To-Equity Ratio 1. Choose Denominator: Choose Numerator: Debt-To-Equity Ratio Debt-to-equity ratio to 1 2017: 2016: - = = = 1 1 to 1(3) Times interest earned. Times Interest Earned 1 Choose Denominator: Choose Numerator: Times Interest Earned Times interest earned times 2017: 2016: times

(1) Debt Ratio in 2017 = 44.57%; Debt Ratio in 2016 = 39.33%; Equity Ratio in 2017 = 55.43%; and Equity Ratio in 2016 = 60.67%.

(2) Debt-To-Equity Ratio in 2017 = 80.42%; and Debt-To-Equity Ratio in 2016 = 64.83%.

(3) Times Interest Earned in 2017 = 4.71 times; and Times Interest Earned in 2016 = 4.22 times.

Explanation:

(1) Calculation of debt and equity ratios

Debt ratio is a ratio that is used to measure the ability of a company to pay off its liabilities with its assets. Debt ratio can be calculated using the following formula:

Debt Ratio = Total Debt / Total Assets

We can then calculate as follows:

Total debt = Accounts payable + Long-term notes payable secured by mortgages on plant assets

Total debt in 2017 = $159,605 + $120,505 = $280,110

Total debt in 2016 = $89,723 + $123,354 = $213,077

Total assets in 2017 = $628,417

Total assets in 2016 = $541,739

Debt Ratio in 2017 = $280,110 / $628,417 = 0.4457, or 44.57%

Debt Ratio in 2016 = $213,077 / $541,739 = 0.3933, or 39.33%

Equity ratio is a ratio that is used to measure the amount of assets of a company that are financed by the investments of the owners of the company. Equity ratio can be calculated using the following formula:

Equity Ratio = Total Equity / Total Assets

We can then calculate as follows:

Total equity = Common stock, $10 par value + Retained earnings

Total equity in 2017 = $162,500 + $185,807 = $348,307

Total equity in 2016 = $162,500 + $166,162 = $328,662

Equity Ratio in 2017 = 0.5543, or 55.43%

Equity Ratio in 2016 = 0.6067, or 60.67%

(2) Calculation of debt-to-equity ratio.

The debt-equity ratio provides the proportion of financing of a company that is contributed by creditors and investors. Debt-equity ratio can be calculated using the following formula:

Debt-To-Equity Ratio = Total Debt / Total Equity

Using the data in part (1) above, we can then calculate as follows:

Debt-To-Equity Ratio in 2017 = $280,110 / $348,307 = 0.8042, or 80.42%

Debt-To-Equity Ratio in 2016 = $213,077 / $328,662 = 0.6483, or 64.83%

(3) Calculation of times interest earned

The times interest earned ratio is a ratio that is used to determine the proportionate amount of income that that is required to cover interest expenses. The times interest earned ratio can be calculated using the following formula:

Times Interest Earned = Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) / Interest expenses

We can then calculate as follows:

EBIT = Sales - Cost of goods sold - Other operating expenses

EBIT in 2017 = $816,942 - $498,335 - $253,252 = $65,355

EBIT in 2016 = $644,669 - $419,035 - $163,101 = $62,533

Interest expenses in 2017 = $13,888

Interest expenses in 2016 = $14,827

Times Interest Earned in 2017 = $65,355 / $13,888 = 4.71 times

Times Interest Earned in 2016 = $62,533 / $14,827 = 4.22 times