HighTech Inc. and OldTime Co. compete within the same industry and had the following operating results in 2019:

Required:

a. Calculate the breakeven point for each firm in terms of revenue.

b. What observations can you draw by examining the breakeven point of each firm given that they earned an equal amount of operating income on identical sales volumes in 2019?

c. Calculate the amount of operating income (or loss) that you would expect each firm to report in 2020 if sales were to

1. Increase by 20%.

2. Decrease by 20%.

d. Using the amounts computed in requirement c, calculate the increase or decrease in the amount of operating income expected in 2020 from the amount reported in 2019.

e. Explain why an equal percentage increase (or decrease) in sales for each firm would have such differing effects on operating income.

f. Calculate the ratio of contribution margin to operating income for each firm in 2019. (Hint: Divide contribution margin by operating income.)

g. Multiply the expected increase in sales of 20% for 2020 by the ratio of contribution margin to operating income for 2019 computed in requirement f for each firm. Multiply your answer in requirement f by 0.2.

h. Multiply your answer in requirement g by the operating income of $42,000 reported in 2019 for each firm.

i. Compare your answer in requirement h with your answer in requirement d. What conclusions can you draw about the effects of operating leverage from the steps you performed in requirements f, g, and h?

Transcribed Image Text:

OldTime Co. HighTech, Inc. Sales .. Sales $420,000 $420,000 Variable expenses 84,000 Contribution margin... Fixed expenses.. $168,000 126,000 $336,000 Operating income $ 42,000 $ 42,000