Varsity, Inc.€™s comparative income statement follows. The 2015 data are given as needed.

Requirements
1. Calculate the profit margin ratio for 2017 and 2016.
2. Calculate the rate of return on total assets for 2017 and 2016.
3. Calculate the asset turnover ratio for 2017 and 2016.
4. Calculate the rate of return on common stockholders€™ equity for 2017 and 2016.
5. Calculate the earnings per share for 2017 and 2016.
6. Calculate the 2017 dividend payout on common stock. Assume dividends per share for common stock are equal to $ 0.75 per share.
7. Did the company€™s operating performance improve or deteriorate during 2017?

VARSITY, INC. Comparative Income Statement Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 2015 Dollars in thousands Net Sales Cost of Goods Sold Selling and Administrative Expenses Interest Expense Income Tax Expense Net Income 2017 2016 $ 185,000 153,000 96,000 87,000 46,500 39,500 9,500 10,500 9,000 $ 21,500 7,000 11,500 Additional data: Total Assets Common Stockholders Equity Preferred Dividends Common Shares Outstanding During the Year $200,000 188,000 169,000 80,000 92,000 7,500 2,000 20,000 2,000 20,000 10,000