In: Finance
Sales $3,000,000
Operating costs (excluding depreciation) 1,500,000
Gross margin $1,500,000
Depreciation 500,000
EBIT $1,000,000
Interest 500,000
EBT $500,000
Taxes 200,000
Net income $ 300,000
The company’s president is disappointed with the forecast and would like to see the company generate higher sales and a forecasted net income of $750,000. Assume that the president wants to maintain the same proportion of operating costs (excluding depreciation). Also, assume that depreciation and the company’s tax rate will remain the same. The president wants to reduce the interest expense by $150,000. What should be the level of sales to satisfy the president? a) $4,200,000 b) $3,816,666.67 c) $3,100,000 d) $4,236,666.67 e) None of the above
Option (a) is the answer.
First we calculate the tax rate. It will be used in the forecasted figures.
Current tax rate = Tax / EBT * 100
Current tax rate = 200000 / 500000 * 100 = 0.4 * 100 = 40%
Next we will calculate the proportion of operating cost to gross margin. It will be used in forecasted figures.
Operating cost to gross margin ratio = Operating cost / Gross margin * 100
Operating cost to gross margin ratio = 1500000 / 1500000 * 100 = 100%
Now,Forecasted net income (given) = 750000
EBT = Forecasted net income / (1- tax rate)
EBT = 750000 / (1-40%)
EBT = 750000 / 0.6
EBT = 1250000
New interest expense = 500000 - 150000 = 350000
So, New / forecasted EBIT will be calculated as per below equation:
EBT = EBIT - Interest
1250000 = EBIT - 350000
EBIT = 1250000 + 350000
EBIT = 1600000, which is the new or forecasted EBIT.
Depreciation (given) = 500000
New / forecasted Gross margin will be calculated as per below equation:
EBIT = Gross margin - Depreciation
1600000 = Gross margin - 500000
Gross Margin = 1600000 + 500000 = 2100000
Operating cost = 100% of gross margin (as calculated above, in the beginning)
New Operating cost = 2100000
New / forecasted sales will be calculated as per below equation:
Gross margin = Sales - Operating cost
2100000 = Sales - 2100000
Sales = 2100000 + 2100000
Sales = 4200000