Compute and Interpret Liquidity, Solvency and Coverage Ratios Selected balance sheet and income statement information for Nordstrom, Inc. for 2016 and 2015 follows. ($ millions) 2016 2015 Cash $ 595 $ 827 Accounts receivable 196 2,306 Current assets 3,014 5,224 Current liabilities 2,911 2,800 Long-term debt 2,795 3,123 Short-term debt 10 8 Total liabilities 6,827 6,805 Interest expense 153 156 Capital expenditures 1,082 861 Equity 871 2,440 Cash from operations 2,451 1,220 Earnings before interest and taxes 1,101 1,323 (a) Compute the following liquidity, solvency and coverage ratios for both years. Round all your answers to two decimal places. 2016 current ratio = Answer 2015 current ratio = Answer 2016 quick ratio = Answer 2015 quick ratio = Answer 2016 liabilities-to-equity = Answer 2015 liabilities-to-equity = Answer 2016 total debt-to-equity = Answer 2015 total debt-to-equity = Answer 2016 times interest earned = Answer 2015 times interest earned = Answer 2016 cash from operations to total debt = Answer 2015 cash from operations to total debt = Answer 2016 free operating cash flow to total debt = Answer 2015 free operating cash flow to total debt = Answer (b) Which of the following best describes the company's credit risk? Both the quick and current ratios for 2016 decreased in the past year. The current ratio remains above 1.0, but this is driven in large part by high inventory levels, implying Nordstrom may have difficulty converting assets to cash. In addition, its interest coverage ratio remains high, indicating it has it may have difficulty making interest payments on its debt. Both the quick and current ratios for 2016 decreased in the past year but are higher than 1.0, implying Nordstrom is relatively liquid. Nordstrom's interest coverage ratio remains high, indicating it has the ability to cover interest payments on its debt. Both the quick and current ratios for 2016 decreased in the past year. The current ratio remains above 1.0, but this is driven in large part by high inventory levels, implying Nordstrom may have difficulty converting assets to cash. However, its interest coverage ratio remains high, indicating it has the ability to cover interest payments on its debt. Both the quick and current ratios for 2016 decreased in the past year but are higher than 1.0, implying Nordstrom is relatively liquid. Nordstrom's interest coverage ratio is weak, indicating it may have difficulty making interest payments on its debt.