At December 31, 2014, Stargell Company has outstanding noncancelable purchase commitments for 100,000 gallons, at $1.50 per gallon, of raw material to be used in its manufacturing process. The company prices its raw material inventory at cost or market, whichever is lower.

Instructions
(a) Assuming that the market price as of December 31, 2014, is $1.65, how would this matter be treated in the accounts and statements? Explain.
(b) Assuming that the market price as of December 31, 2014, is $1.35, how would you treat this situation in the accounts and statements?
(c) Give the entry in January 2014, when the 100,000-gallon shipment is received, assuming that the situation given in (b) above existed at December 31, 2014, and that the market price in January 2015 was $1.35 per gallon. Give an explanation of your treatment.