If we consider the effect of taxes, then the degree of operating leverage can be written as:

DOL = 1 + [FC (1 TC) TC D]/OCF

Consider a project to supply Detroit with 25,000 tons of machine screws annually for automobile production. You will need an initial $4,900,000 investment in threading equipment to get the project started; the project will last for 5 years. The accounting department estimates that annual fixed costs will be $1,175,000 and that variable costs should be $220 per ton; accounting will depreciate the initial fixed asset investment straight-line to zero over the 5-year project life. It also estimates a salvage value of $550,000 after dismantling costs. The marketing department estimates that the automakers will let the contract at a selling price of $326 per ton. The engineering department estimates you will need an initial net working capital investment of $470,000. You require a return of 9 percent and face a tax rate of 21.

a. what is the percentage change in OCF if the units sold changes to 26,000?

b. What is the DOL at the base-case level of output?

% a. Change in OCF b. DOL % a. Change in OCF b. DOL