On january 1, 2017, holland corporation paid $9 per share to a group of zeeland corporation shareholders to acquire 60,000 shares of zeeland's outstanding voting stock, representing a 60 percent ownership interest. the remaining 40,000 shares of zeeland continued to trade in the market close to its recent average of $8.00 per share both before and after the acquisition by holland. zeeland's acquisition date balance sheet follows:

Casey communications recently issued new common stock and used the proceeds to pay off some of its short-term notes payable. this action had no effect on the company's total assets or operating income. which of the following effects would occur as a result of this action? a. the company's current ratio increased.b. the company's times interest earned ratio decreased.c. the company's basic earning power ratio increased.d. the company's equity multiplier increased.e. the company's debt ratio increased.