Break even analysis helps to identify the level of output and sales volume at which the firm ‘breaks even’.
Break
Even Analysis
Break even analysis helps to
identify the level of output and sales volume at which the firm ‘breaks even’.
It means the revenues are sufficient to cover all costs of production. Various
managerial decisions of firms are taken by the managers based on the break-
even point.
It
is a study of cost, revenues and sales of a firm and finding out the volume of sales
where the firm’s costs and revenues will be equal. There is no profit and no
loss. The total revenue is equal to the total cost of production. The amount of
money which the firm receives by the sale of its output in the market is known
as revenue.
The above graph shows the break-
even point of an organization. The total revenue curve (TR) and total cost
curve (TC) is given. When they produce 50 units the total cost and total
revenue are equal that is $ 150’000 which is at the intersecting point of the
curves. Break even point always denotes the quantity produced or sold to
equalize the revenue and cost. When the firm produces less than
50 units the revenue earned is less than the cost of production (TR<TC)
therefore in the initial period the firm incurs loss which is shown in the
graph. Through selling more than 50 units the revenue increases more than the
cost of production therefore the difference increases and provides profit to
the organization (TR>TC). It can be calculated with the help of the
following formula. Managerial Uses Of
Break-Even Analysis:
1.
Product planning: it helps the firm in planning its new product development. Decisions
regarding removal or addition of new products in their product line. 2.
Activity planning: the firm decides the expansion of production capacity. 3.
Profit planning: this helps the firm to plan about their profit well in advance and at
the same time it helps to identify the quantity to be sold to achieve the
targeted profit. 4.
Target capacity: the targeted sales quantity helps to decide the purchase, inventory and
management. 5.
Price and cost decision: Decision regarding how much the price of the commodity should be
reduced or increased to cover their cost of production. 6.
Safety margin: it helps to understand the extent to which the firm can withstand their
fall in sales. 7.
Price decision: the selling price can be fixed based on its expected revenue or profit. 8.
Promotional decision: the firm can decide the kind of promotion required and how much amount
could be spent. 9.
Distribution decision: Break even analysis helps to improve the distribution system and for
business expansion. 10. Dividend decision: firm can decide the dividend to
be fixed for their shareholders. 11. Make or buy decision: break
even analysis helps to decide on whether to make or buy the product. It means
outsourcing or in house production. We can conclude that the break – even analysis is a
useful tool for decision making at various levels of a business firm in the
short and long run. Therefore it is an essential tool to be used by the
Managers.
Tags : Managerial Economics - Cost Analysis
Last 30 days 952 views