You have been presented with selected information taken from the financial statements of Southwest Airlines Co., shown on the next page.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Balance Sheet (partial)
December 31
(in millions)

2008

2007

Total current assets

$ 2,893

$ 4,443

Noncurrent assets

11,415

12,329

Total assets

$14,308

$16,772

Current liabilities

$ 2,806

$ 4,836

Long-term liabilities

6,549

4,995

Total liabilities

9,355

9,831

Shareholders” equity

4,953

6,941

Total liabilities and shareholders” equity

$14,308

$16,772

Other information:

Net income (loss)

2008

2007

Income tax expense

$ 178

$ 645

Interest expense

100

413

Cash provided by operations

130

119

Capital expenditures

(1,521)

2,845

Cash dividends

923

1,331

13

14

Note 8. Leases

The majority of the Company”s terminal operations space, as well as 82 aircraft, were under operating leases at December 31, 2008. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases are as follows: 2009, $376,000; 2010, $324,000; 2011, $249,000; 2012, $208,000; 2013, $152,000; after 2013, $728,000.

Instructions

(a) Calculate each of the following ratios for 2008 and 2007.

(1) Current ratio.

(2) Free cash flow.

(3) Debt to total assets.

(4) Times interest earned ratio.

(b) Comment on the trend in ratios.

(c) Read the company”s note on leases. If the operating leases had instead been accounted for like a purchase, assets and liabilities would increase by approximately $1,600 million. Recalculate the debt to total assets ratio for 2008 in light of this information, and discuss the implictions for analysis