Question
Read the following information carefully and answer questions below. In late September 2017, Apple Inc. (NYSE: AAPL) announced that it would be releasing three new
Read the following information carefully and answer questions below.
In late September 2017, Apple Inc. (NYSE: AAPL) announced that it would be releasing three new models of its iPhone in the fourth quarter of 2017: the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone 8. In addition, it would continue to sell some of the older models.
To follow is a table containing price and cost estimates for the current three new iPhone models plus one older model. The estimated direct materials costs were developed by IHS Markit and Susquehanna International Group. Other listed costs and data are assumptions.
iPhone X | iPhone 8 Plus | iPhone 8 | iPhone 7 | Fixed costs | |
Sales price (base models) | $ 999 | $ 799 | $ 699 | $ 649 |
|
Estimated direct materials (from IHS Markit and Susquehanna International Group) | 581 | 288 | 248 | 248 |
|
Estimated direct labor (assembly and testing) | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
|
Estimated retail packaging and shipping to warehouses/stores) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
|
Total variable costs | 594 | 297 | 257 | 257 |
|
Contribution margin per phone | $ 405 | $ 502 | $ 442 | $ 392 |
|
Minutes of skilled labor required for assembly | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
|
fixed cost |
|
|
|
| $500,000 |
Questions
- Which iPhone model is the most profitable for Apple? Which metric are you using to gauge profitability? Defend your choice of metric.
- Assume that Apple has unlimited demand for every iPhone model. Which model should it emphasize to maximize profits if skilled labor is a scarce resource?
- Why might Apple offer several iPhone models rather than just the one most profitable model?
- What is the breakeven point for each product? Assume that Apple total sales of each product are 120,000, 80,000, 60,000, 40,000 respectively.
- Make at least three visuals that would help you to communicate your answer to your manager. Use excel or Power BI to prepare your visuals. Note: In Power BI, you need to create a flat table using the information above.
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