Yacca Limited has prepared the following profit analysis, for the current financial year:

Sales (150,000 units)

1,275,000$

Variable expenses

697,500$

Contribution margin

577,500$

Fixed expenses

222,000$

Profit

355,500 $

Management are considering a range of options to improve profitability. These options include reducing the selling price by $0.25 per unit and updating machinery and production methods. If machinery and production methods are updated, fixed expenses will increase by $52,000 per year and variable expenses will decrease by $1.10 per unit. However, management are concerned at the increased risk from changes to the level of operating gearing. If the selling price is reduced by $0.25 per unit, the number of units sold is expected to increase by 5%. There is no reason why management cannot reduce the selling price and update machinery and production at the same time.

A. Calculate the contribution margin per unit, total fixed costs, the breakeven point in units, and total expected profit for all of the possible choices that management can make. Present the results of your calculations in a table. Do not include formulas in your write-up.

B. Complete the following table, showing expected profit at various sales levels for (i) the current state of operations (no changes) and (ii) the case where machinery and production methods are updated:

Sales Unit - 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000

A. Expected profit (no change)

B. Expected profit (machinery & production methods updated)

C. Based on your results for part (b) produce a profit-volume chart. Show both cases on the same set of axes.

D. Based on your results to parts (a), (b) and (c), brief recommendation to management advising on the recommended course of action.