The following selected data were taken from the financial statements of Robinson Inc. for December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
December 31
2016 2015 2014
Total assets ............................................$4,800,000......$4,400,000......$4,000,000
Notes payable (8% interest) ..........................2,250,000........2,250,000........2,250,000
Common stock............................................250,000..........250,000..........250,000
Preferred 4% stock, $100 par
(no change during year) .................................500,000..........500,000..........500,000
Retained earnings.......................................1,574,000.......1,222,000..........750,000
The 2016 net income was $372,000, and the 2015 net income was $492,000. No dividends on common stock were declared between 2014 and 2016.
a. Determine the rate earned on total assets, the rate earned on stockholders' equity, and the rate earned on common stockholders' equity for the years 2015 and 2016. Round to one decimal place.
b. What conclusions can be drawn from these data as to the company's profitability?