CHAPTER 15

Analysis and Impact

of Leverage

ANSWERS TO

END-OF-CHAPTER QUESTIONS

15-1.Business risk is the uncertainty that envelops the firm's stream of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). One possible measure of business risk is the coefficient of variation in the firm's expected level of EBIT. Business risk is the residual effect of the: (1) company's cost structure, (2) product demand characteristics, (3) intra-industry competitive position. The firm's asset structure is the primary determinant of its business risk. Financial risk can be identified by its two key attributes: (1) the added risk of insolvency assumed by the common stockholder when the firm chooses to use financial leverage; (2) the increased variability in the stream of earnings available to the firm's common stockholders.

15-2.Financial leverage is financing a portion of the firm's assets with securities bearing a fixed (limited) rate of return. Anytime the firm uses preferred stock to finance assets, financial leverage is employed.

15-3.Operating leverage is the use of operating fixed costs in the firm's cost structure. When operating leverage is present, any percentage fluctuation in sales will result in a greater percentage fluctuation in EBIT.

15-4.Break-even analysis, as it is typically presented, categorizes all operating costs as being either fixed or variable. Based upon this division of costs, the break-even point is computed. The computation procedure for the cash break-even point omits any noncash expenses that the firm might incur. Typical examples of noncash expenses include depreciation and prepaid expenses. The ordinary break-even point will always exceed the cash break-even point, provided some noncash charges are present.

15-5.The most important shortcomings of break-even analysis are:

(1)The cost-volume-profit relationship is assumed to be linear over the entire range of output.

(2)All of the firm's production is assumed to be saleable at the fixed selling price.

(3) The sales mix and production mix is assumed constant.

(4)The level of total fixed costs and the variable cost to sales ratio is held constant over all output and sales ranges.

15-6.Total risk exposure is the result of the firm's use of both operating leverage and financial leverage. Business risk and financial risk produce this total risk. A company that is normally exposed to a high degree of business risk may manage its financial structure in such a way as to minimize financial risk. A firm that enjoys a stable pattern in its earnings before interest and taxes might reasonably elect to use a high degree of financial leverage. This would increase both its earnings per share and its rate of return on the common equity investment.

15-7.By taking the degree of combined leverage times the sales change of a negative 15 percent, the earnings available to the firm's common shareholders will decline by 45 percent.

15-8.As the sales of a firm increase, two things occur that bias the cost and revenue functions toward a curvilinear shape. First, sales will increase at a decreasing rate. As the market approaches saturation, the firm must cut its price to generate sales revenue. Second, as production approaches capacity, inefficiencies occur that result in higher labor and material costs. Furthermore, the firm's operating system may have to bear higher administrative and fixed costs. The result is higher per unit costs as production output increases.

SOLUTIONS TO

END-OF-CHAPTER PROBLEMS

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEM SET A

15-1A.

Product Line / Sales / V.C. / C.M. / C.M. Ratio
Piano / 61,250 / 41,650 / 19,600 / 32%
Violin / 37,500 / 22,500 / 15,000 / 40%
Cello / 98,750 / 61,225 / 37,525 / 38%
Flute / 52,500 / 25,725 / 26,775 / 51%
Total / 250,000 / 151,100 / 98,900 / 40%

Break-even Point

S = F/(1-VC/S) = 50,000/(1-VC/S) = 50,000/.4 = 125,000

S = = = = 125,000

15-2A.Break-even Quantity=QB

QB=

QB=

QB=40,000 bottles

15-3A.Degree of Operating Leverage = DOLS

DOLS=

V=70% x $30=$21

DOLS=

DOLS=5 times

15-4A.

(a)

Jake's Sarasota Jefferson

Lawn Chairs Sky Lights Wholesale

Sales $600,640.00 $2,450,000 $1,075,470

Variable Costs $326,222.60 $1,120,000 $957,000

Revenue before

fixed costs $274,417.40 $1,330,000 $118,470

Fixed costs $120,350.00 $850,000 $89,500

EBIT $ 154,067.40 $ 480,000 $ 28,970

(b)

Jake's Lawn Chairs: QB= =

= = 8,232

Sarasota Skylights: QB= = = 1,789

Jefferson Wholesale: QB= = = 8,310

(c)

Jake'sSarasotaJefferson

Lawn ChairsSkylightsWholesale

=

=1.78 times2.77 times4.09 times

(d)Jefferson Wholesale, since its degree of operating leverage exceeds that of the other two companies.

15-5A.

(a)==1.67 times

(b)===1.11 times

(c)DCL45,750,000=(1.67) (1.11) =1.85 times

(d)S*===

==$18,326,693.23

(e)(25%) × (1.85)=46.25%

15-6A.

(a)QB = = = = 6,296 pairs of shoes

(b)S* = = = = = $534,591.20

(c)

7,000 9,000 15,000

Pairs of Shoes Pairs of Shoes Pairs of Shoes

Sales $595,000 $765,000 $1,275,000

Variable Costs 406,000 522,000 870,000

Revenue before

fixed costs $189,000 $243,000 $405,000

Fixed costs 170,000 170,000 170,000

EBIT $ 19,000 $ 73,000 $ 235,000

(d)

7,0009,00015,000

Pairs of ShoesPairs of ShoesPairs of Shoes

=9.95 times3.33 times1.72 times

Notice that the degree of operating leverage decreases as the firm's sales level rises above the break-even point.

15-7A.

(a) QB= = = = 9000 Units

(b)S*=9000 units × $180 = $1,620,000

Alternatively,

S*= =

= = = $1,619,954

Note: $1,619,954 differs from $1,620,000 due to rounding.

(c)12,00015,00020,000

unitsunitsunits

Sales $2,160,000 $2,700,000 $3,600,000

Variable Costs 1,320,000 1,650,000 2,200,000

Revenue before

fixed costs 840,000 1,050,000 1,400,000

Fixed costs 630,000 630,000 630,000

EBIT $ 210,000 $ 420,000 $ 770,000

(d)12,000 units15,000 units20,000 units

=4 times=2.5 times=1.82 times

Notice that the degree of operating leverage decreases as the firm's sales level rises above the break-even point.

15-8A. (a)

BlacksburgLexingtonWilliamsburg

FurnitureCabinetsColonials

Sales $1,125,000 $1,600,000 $520,000

Variable costs 926,250 880,000 188,500

Revenue before

fixed costs $198,750 $720,000 $331,500

Fixed costs 35,000 100,000 70,000

EBIT $163,750 $620,000 $261,500

(b)

QB== = = 13,208 units

QB= = = 556 units

QB= = = 2745 units

(c)

BlacksburgLexingtonWilliamsburg

FurnitureCabinetsColonials

= 1.21 times1.16 times1.27 times

(d)Williamsburg Colonials, since its degree of operating leverage exceeds that of the other two companies.

15-9A.

(a)

{S- (V + F)} (1-T) = $50,000

{S – [S + F]} (1-T) = $50,000

{$375,000 - $206,250 – F} (0.6) = $50,000

($168,750 - F) (0.6) = $50,000

F = $85,416.67

(b)QB = = = = 7,030 units

S* = = = $189,815

15-10A.(a)Find the EBIT level at the forecast sales volume:

= .26

Therefore, EBIT = (0.26) ($3,250,000) = $845,000

Next, find total variable costs:

= 0.5,

so,VC = (0.5) $3,250,000 = $1,625,000

Now, solve for total fixed costs:

S - (VC + F) = $845,000

$3,250,000 - ($1,625,000 + F) = $845,000

F = $780,000

(b)S* = = $1,560,000

15-11A.

(a) = = 1.94 times

(b) = = 1.13 times

(c)DCL$30,000,000= (1.94) × (1.13) = 2.19 times

(d)S* = = = = = $14,545,455

(e)(25%) × (2.19) = 54.75%

15-12A. Given the data for this problem, several approaches are possible for finding the break-even point in units. The approach below seems to work well with students.

Step (1)Compute the operating profit margin:

Operating Profit Margin x Operating Asset Turnover = Return on operating assets

(M) x (5) = 0.25

M = .05

Step (2)Compute the sales level associated with the given output level:

= 5

Sales = $100,000,000

Step (3)Compute EBIT:

(.05) ($100,000,000) = $5,000,000

Step (4)Compute revenue before fixed costs. Since the degree of operating leverage is 4 times, revenue before fixed costs (RBF) is 4 times EBIT as follows:

RBF = (4) ($5,000,000) = $20,000,000

Step (5)Compute total variable costs:

(Sales) - (Total variable costs) = $20,000,000

$100,000,000 - (Total variable costs) = $20,000,000

Total variable costs = $80,000,000

Step (6)Compute total fixed costs:

RBF - Fixed costs = $5,000,000

$20,000,000 - fixed costs = $5,000,000

Fixed costs = $15,000,000

Step (7)Find the selling price per unit, and the variable cost per unit:

P = = $10.00

V = = $8.00

Step (8)Compute the break-even point:

QB = = = = 7,500,000 units

15-13A.

(a)QB = = = = 10,000 units

(b) S* = = = =

=$1,800,000

(c) 12,00015,00020,000

UnitsUnitsUnits

Sales$2,160,000$2,700,000$3,600,000

Variable costs1,512,0001,890,0002,520,000

Revenue before fixed costs$ 648,000$ 810,000$1,080,000

Fixed costs540,000540,000540,000

EBIT$ 108,000$ 270,000$ 540,000

(d)12,000 units15,000 units20,000 units

= 6 times= 3 times= 2 times

Notice that the degree of operating leverage decreases as the firm's sales level rises above the break-even point.

15-14A.

(a)OviedoGainesvilleAthens

Seeds Sod Peaches

Sales$1,400,000$2,000,000$1,200,000

Variable costs1,120,0001,300,000840,000

Revenue before fixed costs$280,000$ 700,000$ 360,000

Fixed costs25,000100,00035,000

EBIT$ 255,000$ 600,000$ 325,000

(b)Oviedo Seeds: QB= = =

=8,929 units

Gainesville Sod: QB= =

=1,429 units

Athens Peaches: QB= =

=4,667 units

(c)

OviedoGainesville

SeedsSod

= 1.098 times= 1.167 times

Athens

Peaches

= 1.108 times

(d)Gainesville Sod, since its degree of operating leverage exceeds that of the other two companies.

15-15A.

(a){S - [V + F]} (1 - T) = $40,000

{S – [S + F]} (1-T) = $40,000

{($400,000) - ($160,000) - F} (0.6) = $40,000

($240,000 - F) (0.6) = $40,000

F = $173,333.33

(b)QB= = = 14,444 units

S*= = = $288,888.88

15-16A.

(a){S - [V + F] } (1-T) = $80,000

{S – [S + F]} (1-T) = $80,000

{($2,000,000) - (1,400,000) - F} (.6) = $80,000

($600,000 - F) (.6) = $80,000

$360,000 - .6F = $80,000

F = $466,666.67

(b)QB= = = 19,444 units

S* = = =

=$1,555,555.57

15-17A.

(a)S (1 - 0.75) - $300,000 = $240,000

0.25S = $540,000

S = $2,160,000 = (P × Q)

Now, solve the above relationship for P:

200,000 (P)=$2,160,000

P=$10.80

(b)Sales $2,160,000

Less: Total variable costs 1,620,000

Revenue before fixed costs $540,000

Less: Total fixed costs 300,000

EBIT $ 240,000

15-18A.

(a)S (1 - .6) - $300,000 = $250,000

.4S = $550,000

S = $1,375,000 = (P × Q)

Solve the above relationship for P.

200,000 (P)=$1,375,000

P=$6.875

(b)Sales $1,375,000

Less: Total variable costs 825,000

Revenue before fixed costs $550,000

Less: Total fixed costs 300,000

EBIT $ 250,000

15-19A.

(a) First, find the EBIT level at the forecast sales volume:

= 0.28

So:EBIT = (0.28) $3,750,000 = $1,050,000

Next, find total variable costs:

= 0.5

So:VC = (0.50) $3,750,000 = $1,875,000

Then, solve for total fixed costs:

S - (VC + F) = $1,050,000

$3,750,000 - ($1,875,000 + F) = $1,050,000

F = $825,000

(b)S*= = $1,650,000

15-20A.

(a) QB= = = 1,200 units

(b)S* = = = $600,000

(c)DOL$2,500,000 =

= 1.316 times

(d)(20%) x (1.316) = 26.32%

15-21A.

(a)QB = = = = 5,000 units

(b)S* = = = = = $125,000

(c)4000 units6000 units8000 units

Sales $100,000 $150,000 $200,000

Variable costs 60,000 90,000 120,000

Revenue before fixed costs $ 40,000 $ 60,000 $ 80,000

Fixed costs 50,000 50,000 50,000

EBIT $-10,000 $ 10,000 $ 30,000

(d)4000 units6000 units8000 units

= -4X = 6X = 2.67X

(e)The degree of operating leverage decreases as the firm's sales level rises above the break-even point.

15-22A.Compute the present level of break-even output:

QB = = = 24,000 units

Compute the new level of fixed costs at the break-even output:

S – V – F = 0

($12) (24,000) - ($5) (24,000) - F = 0

$288,000 - $120,000 - F = 0

$168,000 = F

Compute the addition to fixed costs:

$168,000 - $120,000 = $48,000 addition

15-23A.DOL$360,000=

== 5 times

Any percentage change in sales will magnify EBIT by a factor of 5.

15-24A.

(a)DOL$480,000=

= = 2.5 times

(b)DFL$80,000= = 1.6 times

(c)DCL$480,000=

== 4 times

Alternatively:

(DOLS) x (DFLEBIT) = DCLS

(2.5) x (1.6) = 4 times

15-25A.The task is to find the break-even point in units for the firm. Several approaches are possible, but the one presented below makes intuitive sense to students.

Step (1)Compute the operating profit margin:

(Operating Profit Margin) x (Operating Asset Turnover) = Return on Operating Assets

(M) x (5) = 0.15

M = 0.03

Step (2)Compute the sales level associated with the given output level:

= 5

Sales = $15,000,000

Step (3)Compute EBIT:

(0.03) ($15,000,000) = EBIT = $450,000

Step (4)Compute revenue before fixed costs. Since the degree of operating leverage is 8 times, revenue before fixed costs (RBF) is 8 times EBIT as follows:

RBF = (8) ($450,000) = $3,600,000

Step (5)Compute total variable costs:

Sales - Total variable costs = $3,600,000

$15,000,000 - Total variable costs = $3,600,000

Total variable costs = $11,400,000

Step (6)Compute total fixed costs:

RBF - Fixed costs = $450,000

$3,600,000 - Fixed costs = $450,000

Fixed costs = $3,150,000

Step (7)Find the selling price per unit, and the variable cost per unit:

P = = $9.375

V = = $7.125

Step (8)Compute the break-even point:

QB = = =

= 1,400,000 units

15-26A.Compute the present level of break-even output:

QB = = = 50,000 units

Compute the new level of fixed costs at the break-even output.

S – V – F = 0

($20) (50,000) - ($12) (50,000) – F = 0

$400,000 = F

Compute the addition to fixed costs:

$400,000 - $300,000 = $100,000 addition

15-27A.

(a) = = 3 times

(b) = = 1.25 times

(c)DCL$12,000,000 = (3) × (1.25) = 3.75 times

(d)S* = = =

= = $8,000,000

15-28A.

(a) = = 2 times

(b) = = 1.6 times

(c)DCL$16,000,000 = (2) (1.6) = 3.2 times

(d)(20%) (3.2) = 64%

(e)S* = = =

= $8,000,000

15-29A.ABCDTotal

Sales$40,000$50,000$20,000$10,000$120,000

Variable costs*24,00034,00016,0004,00078,000

Contribution margin$16,000$16,000$ 4,000$ 6,000$ 42,000

Contribution margin ratio40%32%20%60%35%

*Variable costs = (Sales) (1 - contribution margin ratio)

Break-even point in sales dollars:

S* = = = = $84,000

15-30A. A B C D Total

Sales$30,000$44,000$40,000 $6,000$120,000

Variable costs*18,00029,92032,0002,40082,320

Contribution margin$12,000$14,080$ 8,000$ 3,600$ 37,680

Contribution margin ratio40%32%20%60%31.4%

*Variable costs = (sales) (1- contribution margin ratio).

Break-even point in sales dollars:

S* = = = $93,631

Toledo's management would prefer the sales mix identified in problem 15-29A. That sales mix provides a higher EBIT ($12,600 vs. $8,280) and a lower break-even point ($84,000 vs. $93,631).

SOLUTION TO INTEGRATIVE PROBLEM:

In solving for the break-even point in units, the following step-by-step approach seems to be the most logical to students and the easiest for them to understand.

COMPUTE BREAK-EVEN POINT:

STEP 1:Compute the operating profit margin:

Operating Profit Margin [M] x Operating Asset Turnover = Return on operating assets

M x 7 = 35%

M = 5%

STEP 2:Compute the sales level associated with the given output level:

Operating Assets x Operating Asset Turnover = Sales

$2,000,000 x 7 = Sales

Sales = $14,000,000

STEP 3:Compute EBIT:

Sales [STEP 2] x Operating Profit Margin [STEP 1] = EBIT

$14,000,000 x 5% = EBIT

EBIT = $700,000

STEP 4:Compute revenue before fixed costs:

EBIT [STEP 3] x Degree of Operating Leverage = Revenue before Fixed Costs

$700,000 x 5 = Revenue before Fixed Costs

Revenue before Fixed Costs = $3,500,000

STEP 5:Compute total variable costs:

Sales [STEP 2] - Revenue before Fixed Costs [STEP 4] = Total Variable Costs

$14,000,000 - $3,500,000 = Total Variable Costs

Total Variable Costs = $10,500,000

STEP 6:Compute total fixed costs:

Revenue before Fixed Costs [STEP 4] - EBIT [STEP 3] = Fixed Costs

$3,500,000 - $700,000 = Fixed Costs

Fixed Costs = $2,800,000

STEP 7:Find selling price per unit (P) and variable cost per unit (V):

P = Sales [STEP 2] / Output in Units

P = $14,000,000 / 50,000 units

P = $280.00

V = Total Variable Costs [STEP 5] / Output in Units

V = $10,500,000 / 50,000 units

V = $210.00

STEP 8:Compute break-even point (in units):

QB = F [STEP 6] / (P - V) [STEP 7]

QB = $2,800,000 / ($280.00 - $210.00)

QB = 40,000 units

After determining the break-even point using the approach described above, the students have the information necessary to prepare an analytical income statement as follows:

Sales [STEP 2] $14,000,000

Variable Costs [STEP 5] 10,500,000

Revenue before Fixed Costs $3,500,000

Fixed Costs [STEP 6] 2,800,000

EBIT $700,000

Interest Expense 400,000

Earnings Before Taxes $300,000

Taxes (35%) 105,000

Net Income $195,000

Thereafter, the students have the data they need to answer questions (a) - (e) as follows:

(a)Degree of financial leverage:

DFLEBIT = EBIT / (EBIT - Interest)

DFLEBIT = $700,000 / ($700,000 - $400,000)

DFLEBIT = 2.33

(b)Degree of Combined Leverage:

DCLS = DOLS x DFLEBIT

DCLS = 5 x 2.33

DCLS = 11.65

(c)Break-even point in sales dollars:

S* =

S* =

S* = $11,200,000

(d)“If sales increase 30%, by what percent would EBT increase?”

% increase in EBT = % increase in Sales x DCLS

% increase in EBT = 30% x 11.65

% increase in EBT = 350%

(e)Analytical Income Statement to verify effect of 30% increase in sales:

Sales] $18,200,000

Variable Costs 13,650,000

Revenue Before Fixed Costs $4,550,000

Fixed Costs [STEP 6] 2,800,000

EBIT $1,750,000

Interest Expense 400,000

Earnings Before Taxes $1,350,000

Taxes (35%) 472,500

Net Income $877,500

It may be useful to develop the following “proof” to assist in explaining the inter-relationships of the various values:

% change in EBT = (EBTafter - EBTbefore) / EBTbefore

% change in EBT = ($1,350,000 - $300,000) / $300,000

% change in EBT = 350%

which agrees with the following:

% change in EBT = % change in Sales x DCLS

% change in EBT = 30% x 11.65

% change in EBT = 350%

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEM SET B

15-1B.Break-even Quantity=QB

QB=

P==$.50 per unit

V==$.40 per unit

thus,

QB=

QB=24,000,000 units

15-2B.Degree of Combined Leverage=DCLS

Degree of Operating Leverage=DOLS

Degree of Financial Leverage=DFLEBIT

DOLS=

P==$.50 per unit

V==$.40 per unit

thus,

DOLS=

DOLS=2.50 times

DFLEBIT=

DFLEBIT=

DFLEBIT=2.00 times

and

DCLS=

DCLS=

DCLS=

DCLS=5.00 times

15-3B.

(a)QB= = = = 10,833 Units

(b)S*=(10,833 units) × ($175) = $1,895,775

Alternatively,

S* = =

= = = $1,895,833

Note: $1,895,833 differs from $1,895,775 due to rounding.

(c)10,00016,00020,000

unitsunitsunits

Sales $1,750,000 $2,800,000 $3,500,000

Variable costs 1,150,000 1,840,000 2,300,000

Revenue before fixed costs 600,000 960,000 1,200,000

Fixed costs 650,000 650,000 650,000

EBIT -$50,000 $ 310,000 $ 550,000

(d)10,000 units16,000 units20,000 units

= -12 times = 3.1 times = 2.2 times

Notice that the degree of operating leverage decreases as the firm's sales level rises above the break-even point.

15-4B.

(a)DurhamRaleighCharlotte

FurnitureCabinetsColonials

Sales $1,600,000 $1,957,500 $525,000

Variable costs 1,100,000 1,080,000 236,250

Revenue before

fixed costs $500,000 $877,500 $288,750

Fixed costs 40,000 150,000 60,000

EBIT $460,000 $727,500 $228,750

(b)QB= = = = 6,400 units

QB= = = 769 units

QB= = = 3,117 units

(c)

DurhamRaleigh Charlotte

FurnitureFurniture Colonials

===

= 1.09 times1.21 times1.26 times

(d)Charlotte Colonials, since its degree of operating leverage exceeds that of the other two companies.

15-5B.

(a){S - [V + F]} (1 - T) = $55,000

{S – [S + F]} (1-T) = $55,000

{$400,008 - [257,148 + F ]} (0.55) = $55,000

($142,860 - F) (0.55) = $55,000

F = $42,860

(b)QB = = = = 4,286 units

S*= = = $120,056

15-6B.(a)Find the EBIT level at the forecast sales volume:

= .28

Therefore, EBIT = (0.28) ($3,750,000) = $1,050,000

Next, find total variable costs:

= 0.45,

so:VC = (0.45) $3,750,000 = $1,687,500

Now, solve for total fixed costs:

S - (VC + F) = $1,050,000

$3,750,000 - ($1,687,500 + F) = $1,050,000

F = $1,012,500

(b)S*= = $1,840,909

15-7B.

(a)= = 1.71 times

(b) = = 1.09 times

(c)DCL$40,000,000= (1.71) × (1.09) = 1.86 times

(d)S*==

= = = $16,666,667

(e)(20%) × (1.86) = 37.2%

15-8B.Given the data for this problem, several approaches are possible for finding the break-even point in units. The approach below seems to work well with students.

Step (1)Compute the operating profit margin:

(Operating Profit Margin) x (Operating Asset Turnover) = Return on Operating Assets

(M) x (5) = 0.25

M = .05

Step (2)Compute the sales level relative to the given output level:

= 5

Sales = $90,000,000

Step (3)Compute EBIT:

(.05) ($90,000,000) = $4,500,000

Step (4)Compute revenue before fixed costs. Since the degree of operating leverage is 6 times, revenue before fixed costs (RBF) is 6 times EBIT as follows:

RBF = (6) ($4,500,000) = $27,000,000

Step (5)Compute total variable costs:

(Sales) - (Total variable costs) = $27,000,000

$90,000,000 - (Total variable costs) = $27,000,000

Total variable costs = $63,000,000

Step (6)Compute total fixed costs:

RBF - Fixed costs = $4,500,000

$27,000,000 - fixed costs = $4,500,000

Fixed costs = $22,500,000

Step (7)Find the selling price per unit, and the variable cost per unit:

P = = $12.86

V = = $9.00

Step (8)Compute the break-even point:

QB= =

= = 5,829,016 units

15-9B.

(a)QB= = = = 15,715 units

(b)S* = =

= = = $2,750,000

(c)12,00015,00020,000

UnitsUnitsUnits

Sales $2,100,000 $2,625,000 $3,500,000

Variable costs 1,680,000 2,100,000 2,800,000

Revenue before fixed costs $ 420,000 $ 525,000 $700,000

Fixed costs 550,000 550,000 550,000

EBIT -$130,000 -$25,000 $ 150,000

(d)12,000 units15,000 units20,000 units

= -3.2 times= -21 times= 4.67 times

15-10B.

(a)Farm CityEmpireGolden

SeedsSod Peaches

Sales $1,800,000 $1,710,000 $1,400,000

Variable costs 1,410,000 1,305,000 950,000

Revenue before fixed costs $390,000 $ 405,000 $ 450,000

Fixed costs 30,000 110,000 33,000

EBIT $ 360,000 $ 295,000 $ 417,000

(b)Farm City: QB = = = = 9,231 units

Empire Sod: QB = = = 2,444 units

Golden Peaches: QB= = = 3,667 units

(c)Farm CityEmpireGolden

SeedsSodPeaches

= 1.083 times= 1.373 times= 1.079 times

(d) Empire Sod, since its degree of operating leverage exceeds that of the other two companies.

15-11B.

(a){S – [V + F]} (1-T) = $38,000

{S – [S + F]} (1-T) = $38,000

[($420,002) - ($222,354) - F] (0.65) = $38,000

($197,648 - F) (0.65) = $38,000

F = $139,186.46

(b)QB = = = 17,398 units

S*= = = $295,766

15-12B.

(a){S – [V + f]} (1 – T) = $70,000

{S – [S + F]} (1 – T) = $70,000

[ ($2,500,050) - (1,933,372) - F ] (.55) = $70,000

($566,678 - F) (.55) = $70,000

($311,672.9 - .55F) = $70,000

F = $439,405.27

(b)QB == = 25,847 units

S*== =

=$1,938,552.66

15-13B.

(a)S (1 - 0.8) - $335,000 = $270,000

0.2S = $605,000

S = $3,025,000 = (P × Q)

Now, solve the above relationship for P:

175,000 (P)=$3,025,000

P=$17.29

(b)Sales $3,025,000

Less: Total variable costs 2,420,000

Revenue before fixed costs $605,000

Less: Total fixed costs 335,000

EBIT $ 270,000

15-14B.

(a)S (1-.75) - $300,000 = $250,000

.25S = $550,000

S = $2,200,000 = (P × Q)

Solve the above relationship for P:

190,000 (P) = $2,200,000

P = $11.58

(b)Sales $2,200,000

Less: Total variable costs 1,650,000

Revenue before fixed costs $550,000

Less: Total fixed costs 300,000

EBIT $ 250,000

15-15B.

(a)First, find the EBIT level at the forecast sales volume:

= 0.25

So:EBIT = (0.25) $4,250,000 = $1,062,500

Next, find total variable costs:

= 0.6

So:VC = (0.60) $4,250,000 = $2,550,000

Then, solve for total fixed costs:

S - (VC + F) = $1,062,500

$4,250,000 - ($2,550,000 + F) = $1,062,500

F = $637,500

(b)S* = = $1,593,750

15-16B.

(a)QB = == 1,600 units

(b)S* = == $760,000

(c)DOL$2,850,000=

=1.364 times

(d)(13%) x (1.364)=17.73%

15-17B.

(a)QB = = = = 5,000 units

(b)S*= = = = = $140,000

(c)4,000 units6,000 units8,000 units

Sales $112,000 $168,000 $224,000

Variable costs 68,000 102,000 136,000

Revenue before fixed costs $ 44,000 $ 66,000 $ 88,000

Fixed costs 55,000 55,000 55,000

EBIT -$11,000 $ 11,000 $ 33,000

(d)4000 units6000 units8000 units

= -4X = 6X = 2.67X

(e)The degree of operating leverage decreases as the firm's sales level rises above the break-even point.

15-18B. Compute the present level of break-even output:

QB = = = 19,286 units

Compute the new level of fixed costs at the break-even output:

S – V – F = 0

($13) (19,286) - ($5) (19,286) - F = 0

$250,718 - $96,430 - F = 0

$154,288 = F

Compute the addition to fixed costs:

$154,288 - $135,000 = $19,288 addition

15-19B.DOL$520,000=

= = 1.93 times

Any percentage change in sales will magnify EBIT by a factor of 1.93.

15-20B.

(a)DOL$650,000=

== 1.63 times

(b)DFL$215,000== 1.39 times

(c)DCL$650,000 =

= = 2.26 times

Alternatively:

DOLS x DFLEBIT = DCLS

1.63 x 1.39 = 2.26 times

15-21B.The task is to find the break-even point in units for the firm. Several approaches are possible, but the one presented below makes intuitive sense to students.

Step (1)Compute the operating profit margin:

(Operating Profit Margin) x (Operating Asset Turnover) = Return on Operating Assets

(M) x (6) = 0.16

M = 0.0267

Step (2)Compute the sales level associated with the given output level:

= 6

Sales = $19,500,000

Step (3)Compute EBIT:

(0.0267) ($19,500,000) = EBIT = $520,000

Step (4)Compute revenue before fixed costs. Since the degree of operating leverage is 9 times, revenue before fixed costs (RBF) is 9 times EBIT as follows:

RBF = (9) ($520,000) = $4,680,000

Step (5)Compute total variable costs:

Sales - Total variable costs = $4,680,000

$19,500,000 - Total variable costs = $4,680,000

Total variable costs = $14,820,000

Step (6)Compute total fixed costs:

RBF - Fixed costs = $520,000

$4,680,000 - Fixed costs = $520,000

Fixed costs = $4,160,000

Step (7) Find the selling price per unit, and the variable cost per unit:

P = = $11.471

V = = $8.718

Step (8)Compute the break-even point:

QB = = = = 1,511,079 units

15-22B. Compute the present level of break-even output:

QB = = = 31,250 units

Compute the new level of fixed costs at the break-even output.

S – V – F = 0

($25) (31,250) - ($11) (31,250) - F = 0

$437,500 = F

Compute the addition to fixed costs:

$437,500 - $375,000 = $62,500 addition

15-23B.

(a)= = 3.4 times

(b) = = 1.25 times

(c)DCL$13,750,000 = (3.4) × (1.25) = 4.25 times

(d)S* ==

== = $9,705,597

15-24B.

(a) = = 2.2 times

(b) = = 1.54 times

(c)DCL$18,000,000 = (2.2) × (1.54) = 3.39 times

(d)(15%) × (3.39) = 50.8%

(e)S* = =

= = $9,819,967

15-25B.ABCDTotal

Sales$38,505$61,995$29,505$19,995$150,000

Variable costs*23,10342,15723,6047,99896,862

Contribution margin$15,402$19,838$ 5,901$ 11,997$ 53,138

Contribution margin ratio40%32%20%60%35.43%

*Variable costs = (Sales) (1 - contribution margin ratio)

Break-even point in sales dollars:

S* = = = $98,799