Break even analysis is an important part in production management and decision making. In this assignment, the key elements of the break-even analysis will be discussed. The key elements of break-even analysis are fixed cost, variable cost, total revenue, break-even point and margin of safety. Although break-even analysis is very useful, it has disadvantages.
Break-even analysis is based on the production cost of the company which includes the fixed cost and variable cost. Then the total cost of the production is compared with the total sales revenue to find out the breakeven point. The break even analysis is useful to determine how much sales does the company need to make in order to break even. (Holland, 1998) It is broadly used in
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At the beginning, the total cost is higher than the sales revenue. The business is making a loss at this stage. After the output reached a certain level, the total cost is equal to the total revenue. According to Atrill and McLaney, ‘the break-even point is the point at which total revenue is equal to total cost’ (Atrill & McLaney, 2008: 241). At this point, there is neither profit nor loss. Output above the breakeven point where the sales revenue is greater than total cost will make profit. The total cost was covered by the sales revenue. Therefore the company is making profit. One of the real world examples is Royal Mail had made a loss of £66milion compare to 48 million last year. The operating profit also decreases from £184 to £52. The Royal Mail said that the loss was caused by a continuing fall in mail volumes and had been limited by cost cutting. This shows that if the costs are high and level of output is low, the company would not make a profit. (BBC, 2010)
From the break-even chart above, the break-even point is the point where the total cost and total sales revenue intersect which is 200 units. At this point, there is no net loss or profit. The company will have to sell 200 units of goods in order to break even. At 100 units of output, the company is making a loss because the total cost is above the total sales revenue. On the other hand, at 300 units of output, the company is making a profit as the
Breakeven Analysis for Product Tylenol Approach 1 - Same price as Tylenol Approach 2a - Cheaper than Tylenol Approach 2b - Cheaper w/lowered trade cost $ $ $ $ Unit Cost (Variable Cost) 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 Trade Cost (Selling Price to Retailers) $ 1.69 $ 1.69 $ 1.05 $ 0.70 Fixed Cost (Advertising) 2,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 Break-Even Quantity [Fixed Cost/(Trade Cost-Unit Cost)] 1,834,862 5,504,587 13,333,333 60,000,000 Contribution Margin (Unit) 64% 64% 43% 14%
In order to calculate the breakeven point, we use the following equation and budget data:
Although the financial goal is to create profit, we need to calculate the breakeven point to get started.
5. Determine the necessary sales in unit and dollars to break-even or attain desired profit using the break-even formula.
Determine the unit break-even point, assuming fixed costs are $60,000 per period, variable costs are $16.00 per unit, and the sales price is $25.00 per unit.
The breakeven point is used my companies to prevent loss. The Cost Volume Profit (CVP) is the tool in which to capture the breakeven point. Sometimes it is referred to as the breakeven analysis. The CVP assists the company in identifying future operation need, production costs, and expansion possibilities based on estimating costs, prices, and volumes. This profit response can help Competition Bikes determine the amount of needed sales, what products to manufacture, pricing policies, marketing strategies, and how much profit is actually needed. In this analysis we will assume
| In general, an increase in price increases the break even point if all costs are held constant.
Break even analysis is reliable as it is made from the budget and it gives a financial structure to the business. The data used for break-even, the business try to make the data as accurate as possible. They make this data depending on the previous year’s financial report. That’s why break-even is reliable to estimate current year’s results. In a short run, break-even analysis can be accurate.
This question gives students an opportunity to exercise their ability to interpret break-even analyses. Key teaching points should include explaining the preparation of a break-even chart, the interpretation of the break-even volume (938,799 hectoliters [HL]), and the comparison of the break-even volume to the current volume (1,173,000 HL). Another key point is that the chart in case Exhibit 5 is relevant only for the current cost structure of the company—if variable costs increase or the plant expansion is approved, the break-even volume will rise. Finally, students should be aided in understanding that “break-even” refers to operating profit, not free cash flow. The typical use of the break-even chart ignores taxes, investments, and the depreciation tax shield.
Break-even point analysis is a measurement system that calculates the margin of safety by comparing the amount of revenues or units that must be sold to cover fixed and variable costs associated with making the sales. In other words, it’s a way to calculate when a project will be profitable by equating its total revenues with its total expenses. There are several different uses for the equation, but all of them deal with managerial accounting and cost management (Break-Even Point, n.d.)
Break even analysis can be used to decide whether to alter the existing product emphasis or not. For example in this case, if we refer last year’s data, we can see that the product C is not economically feasible to manufacture at $2.40 / unit. Following table gives the analysis for checking whether the company can afford to invest in additional “C” capacity.
Breakeven = fixed cost/margin = total dollar fixed costs/ unit selling price –unit variable costs
A company's break-even point is the amount of sales or revenues that it must generate in order to equal its expenses. In other words, it is the point at which the company neither makes a profit nor suffers a loss. Calculating the break-even point (through break-even analysis) can provide a simple, yet powerful quantitative tool for managers. In its simplest form, break-even analysis provides insight into whether or not revenue from a product or service has the ability to cover the relevant costs of production of that product or service. Managers can use this information in making a wide range of business decisions, including setting prices, preparing competitive bids, and applying for loans.
While cost is seldom the only criterion used in a make-or-buy decision, simple break-even analysis can be an effective way to quickly surmise the
Break Even Point in Sales = (Total Fixed Costs + Target Profit) ÷ Contribution Margin Ratio