In 2020, Natural Selection, a nationwide computer dating service, had $500 million of assets and $200 million of liabilities. Earnings before interest and taxes were $120 million, interest expense was $28 million, the tax rate was 40 percent, principal repayment requirements were $24 million, and annual dividends were 30 cents per share on 20 million shares outstanding.

a. Calculate the following for Natural Selection:

i. Liabilities-to-equity ratio

ii. Times-interest-earned ratio

iii. Times burden covered

b. What percentage decline in earnings before interest and taxes could Natural Selection have sustained before failing to cover:

i. Interest payment requirements

ii. Principal and interest requirements

iii. Principal, interest, and common dividend payments