Chapter 1Introduction

One of the popular definitions of strategic financial management as per the official terminology of the CIMA is, “the identification of the possible strategies capable of maximizing an organization’s net present value, the allocation of scarce capital resources among the competing opportunities and the implementation and monitoring of the chosen strategy, so as to achieve stated objectives”. So it can be said that, strategy depends on the stated objectives or targets. So, let us start with identifying and formulating these objectives.

Financial Objectives

It is needless to say that one of the most important objectives of a company is maximizing the wealth of its shareholders. It is to be kept in mind that a company is financed by its ordinary shareholders, preference shareholders, loan stock holders and other long-term and short-term creditors. The entire fund that is surplus, belongs to the legal owners of the company, and its ordinary shareholders. Any retained profits are the undistributed wealth of these equity shareholders. The non-financial objectives do not ignore financial objectives altogether, but they point towards the fact that the simple theory of company finance which postulates that the primary objective of a firm is to maximize the wealth of ordinary shareholders, is too simplistic. In essence, the financial objectives may have to be compromised in order to satisfy non-financial objective.

Value Enhancement in the Business Parlance

When the prices of the shares of a company that are traded on a stock market rises, the wealth of the shareholders tends to get increased. The price of a company’s share goes up when the company is expected to make attractive profits, which it plans to pay as dividends to its shareholders or re-invest in the business to achieve future profit growth and dividend growth. However, it is also to be kept in mind that in order to increase the price of the share, the company should achieve its profits without taking business risks and financial risks which might worry its shareholders.

Non-financial Objectives of a Firm

Having discussed the financial objectives of the firm at length, let us now look into some of the non-financial objectives. The non-financial objectives of a firm can be as follows:a. General welfare of the employees, which includes providing the employees with good wage, salaries,

comfortable and safe working conditions, good training and career developments and good pensions.b. Welfare of the management which includes providing them with the better salaries and perquisites though it

will be at the cost of the company’s expenditure.c. Welfare of the society as a whole. For example, the oil companies confront with the problem of protecting

the environment and preserving the earth’s dwindling energy resources. d. Fulfillment of responsibilities towards customers and suppliers. e. Leadership in research and development.

Agency Theory

Agency theory is often described in terms of the relationships between the various interested parties in the firm. The theory examines the duties and conflicts that occur between parties who have an agency relationship. Agency relationships occur when one party, the principal, employs another party, called the agent, to perform a task on their behalf. Agency theory is helpful in explaining the actions of the various interest groups in the corporate governance debate. For example, managers can be seen as the agents of shareholders, employees as the agents of managers, managers and shareholders as the agents of long and short-term creditors, etc. In most of these principal-agent relationships conflicts of interest is seen to exist. It has been widely observed that the conflicts between shareholders and managers and in a similar way the objectives of employees and managers may be in conflict. Although the actions of all the parties are united by one mutual objective of wishing the firm to survive, the various principals involved might make various arrangements to ensure their agents work closer to their own interests. For example, shareholders might insist that part of management remuneration is in the form of a profit related bonus. The agency relationship arising from the separation of ownership from management is sometimes characterized as the agency problem. For example, if managers hold none or very little of the equity shares of the company they work for, what is to stop them from: Working inefficiently? Not bothering to look for profitable new investment opportunities? Giving themselves high salaries and perks?

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One power that shareholders possess is the right to remove the directors from office. But shareholders have to take the initiative to do this, and in many companies, the shareholders lack the energy and organization to take such a step. Even so, directors will want the company’s report and accounts, and the proposed final dividend, to meet with shareholders’ approval at the AGM. Another reason why managers might do their best to improve the financial performance of their company is that managers’ pay is often related to the size or profitability of the company. Managers in very big companies, or in very profitable companies, will normally expect to earn higher salaries than managers in smaller or less successful companies. Perhaps the most effective method is one of long-term share option schemes to ensure that shareholder and manager objectives coincide. Management audits can also be employed to monitor the actions of managers. Creditors commonly write restrictive covenants into loan agreements to protect the safety of their funds. These arrangements involve time and money both in initial set-up, and subsequent monitoring, these being referred to as agency costs.

Stakeholder Groups and Strategy

The actions of stakeholder groups in pursuit of their various goals can exert influence on strategy. The greater the power of the stakeholder, the greater the influence will be. Each stakeholder group possesses different expectations about what it wants, and the expectations of the various groups’ conflicts with each other. Each group, however, tends to influence strategic decision-making. The relationship between management and shareholders is sometimes referred to as an agency relationship, in which the managers act as agents for the shareholders, using delegated powers to run the affairs of the company in the shareholders’ best interests.

Primary Reasons for Conflicts of Interest

Maximization of Shareholder Wealth

Although most of the financial management theory is developed keeping in mind the assumed objective of maximizing shareholder wealth, it is, at the same time, important to note that in reality, companies may be working toward other objectives. The other parties that share interests in the organization (e.g., employees, the community at large, creditors, customers, etc.) have objectives that differ to those of the shareholders. As the objectives of these other parties might conflict with those of the shareholders, it will be impossible to maximize shareholder wealth and satisfy the objectives of other parties at the same time. In such situations, the firm faces multiple, conflicting objectives, and satisfying of the interested parties’ objectives becomes the only practical approach for management. If this strategy is adopted, then the firm seeks to earn a satisfactory return for its shareholders while at the same time (for example) is able to pay reasonable wages to its workforce.

Goal Congruence

Goal congruence is the term which describes the situation when the goals of different interest groups coincide. A way of helping to achieve goal congruence between shareholders and managers is by the introduction of carefully designed remuneration packages for managers which would motivate managers to take decisions which were consistent with the objectives of the shareholders. Agency theory sees employees of businesses, including managers, as individuals, each with his or her own objectives. Within a department of a business, there are departmental objectives. If achieving these various objectives also leads to the achievement of the objectives of the organization as a whole, there is said to be goal congruence.

Achieving Goal Congruence

Goal congruence can be achieved, and at the same time, the ‘agency problem’ can be dealt with, providing managers with incentives which are related to profits or share price, or other factors such as:a. Pay or bonuses related to the size of profits termed as profit-related pay.b. Rewarding managers with shares, e.g.: when a private company ‘goes public’ and managers are invited to

subscribe for shares in the company at an attractive offer price.c. Rewarding managers with share options. In a share option scheme, selected employees are given a

number of share options, each of which gives the right (after a certain date) to subscribe for shares in the company at a fixed price. The value of an option will increase if the company is successful and its share price goes up. For example, an employee might be given 10,000 options to subscribe for shares in the company at a price of Rs.30,000 (by buying Rs.50,000 worth shares for Rs.20,000).

Such measures might encourage management in the adoption of “creative accounting” methods which will distort the reported performance of the company in the service of the managers’ own ends. However, creative accounting methods such as off-balance sheet finance present a temptation to management at all times given that they allow a more favorable picture of the state of the company to be presented than otherwise, to shareholders, potential investors, potential lenders and others. An alternative approach is to attempt to monitor

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managers’ behavior, for example, by establishing ‘Management audit’ procedures, to introduce additional reporting requirements, or to seek assurance from managers that shareholders’ interests will be foremost in their priorities.

External Constraints and Financial Strategy

Economic Influences

Aggregate Demand and InflationA growth in aggregate demand can have either or both of the following consequences.a. An increased production by the firms.b. Inability on the part of the firms to produce more to meet the demand, due to limitations, resulting in the

increase in the price.

The impact of the rate of price inflation in the economy has the following affects:a. Costs of production and selling prices b. Interest ratesc. Foreign exchange ratesd. Demand in the economy (high rates of inflation seem to put a brake on real economic growth).

Let us now try to understand each of the above factors in detail.

Interest Rates

Interest rates exert the following economic influences.a. Interest rates in a country influence the foreign exchange value of the country’s currency.b. Interest rates act as a guide to the return that a company’s shareholders might want, and changes in

market interest rates will affect share prices.

A positive real rate of interest enhances an investor’s real wealth to the income he earns from his investments. However, when interest rates go up or down, perhaps due to a rise or fall in the rate of inflation, there will also be a potential capital loss or gain for the investor. In other words, the market value of interest-bearing securities will alter. Market values will fall when interest rates go up and vice versa.

Interest Rates and Share Prices

When interest rates change, the return expected by investors from shares also tends to change. For example, if interest rates fall from 14 percent to 12 percent on government securities, and from 15 percent to 13 percent on company debentures, the return expected from shares (dividends and capital growth) would also fall. This is because shares and debt are alternative ways of investing money. If interest rates fall, shares become more attractive to buy. As demand for shares increases, their prices too rise, and so the dividend return gained from them falls in percentage terms.

Interest Rates are Important for Financial Decisions by Companies

Interest rate is important for financial decisions by companies. The incidence of the interest rates can have the following effects.

a. When interest rates are low, it might be beneficial:i. To borrow more, preferably at a fixed rate of interest, and so increase the company’s gearing,ii. To borrow for long periods rather than for short periods,iii. To pay back loans which incur a high interest rate, if it is within the company’s power to do so, and

take out new loans at a lower interest rate.

b. When interest rates are higher:i. A company might decide to reduce the amount of its debt finance, and to substitute equity finance,

such as retained earnings,ii. A company which has a large surplus of cash and liquid funds to invest might switch some of its

short-term investments out of equities and into interest bearing securities,iii. A company might opt to raise new finance by borrowing short-term funds and debt at a variable

interest rate (for example on overdraft) rather than long-term funds at fixed rates of interest, in the hope that interest rates will soon come down again.

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Interest Rates and New Capital Investments

When interest rates go up, consequently the cost of finance to a company also goes up; the minimum return that a company will require on its own new capital investments also goes up. A company’s management is supposed to give close consideration, when interest rates are high, keeping investments in assets, particularly unwanted or inefficient fixed assets, stocks and debtors, down to a minimum. This activity of the company is done in order to reduce the company’s need to borrow. At the same time, the management also needs to bear in mind the deflationary effect of high interest rates that deters spending by raising the cost of borrowing.

Financial Planning and Strategic Planning

Financial Planning

The management function of planning requires the development, definition and evaluation of the following:a. The organization’s objectives,b. Alternative strategies for achievement of these objectives.

The objectives of business activity are invariably concerned with money, as the universal measure of the ability to command resources. Thus, financial awareness probes into all business activities. Nevertheless, finance cannot be managed in isolation from other functions of the business and, therefore, financial planning will be undertaken within the framework of a plan for the whole organization, i.e., a corporate plan.

The Relationship between Short-term and Long-term Financial Planning

The process of financial planning must begin at the strategic level, where the corporate strengths and weaknesses are reviewed and long-term objectives are identified. It is to be kept in mind that business review should enable a forecast to be made of future changes in sales, profitability and capital employed. When this forecast is compared with the results desired by the corporate objectives, a gap may be identified which must be made good by developing new strategies. Senior management must negotiate with middle management, until a single strategic plan for the whole company is agreed. From this strategic plan, tactical plans must be drawn up (e.g., pricing policies, personnel requirements, and production methods) and a medium-term plan established. This medium-term plan can be broken down into a series of short-term financial plans at a later point of time.

Potential Conflicts between Short-term and Long-term Objectives

Companies are often accused of favoring short-term profitability at the expense of long-term prosperity. For example, an investment in the latest technology in production machinery might be postponed because of fear of increasing the depreciation charge, although longer-term profitability will be improved by the investment.

Types of Long-term Strategy

The different types of long-term strategies can be better understood with the help of the following flow chart.

Long-termstrategies

Survival

Growth

By acquisition

Internal

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Survival Strategies

Non-growth Strategies

A non-growth strategy refers to that strategy where there is no growth in earnings. This does not necessarily mean no turnover. A company might pursue a non-growth strategy if it saw its non-economic objectives as more important than its economic objectives.

The primary reasons for adopting a non-growth strategy may include, Pressure from public opinion; Maintain an acceptable quality of life; Lack of enough additional staff with sufficient expertize and loyalty; Enable the owner-manager to retain personal control over operations; and Diseconomies of scale of the particular production set-up.

In certain cases, there could even be negative growth, by paying out dividends larger than current earnings, so that shareholders are effectively receiving a refund of their capital investment, and there is a net fall in assets employed. A negative growth strategy can be adopted in pursuit of an objective to increase the percentage return to the shareholders – if the company pulls out of the least profitable areas of its operations first, it will increase its overall return on investment, although the total investment will be less. The negative growth strategy consists of an orderly, planned withdrawal from less profitable areas, and while the shareholder’s dividend may eventually decline, his return can rise since the capital invested also falls. If the company simply runs down, his return will also fall.

Corrective Strategies

A non-growth strategy certainly does not mean that the company can afford to be complacent. A considerable amount of management time should be devoted to consider the actions needed to correct its overall strategic structure to achieve the optimum. This involves seeking a balance between its overall strategic structures to achieve the optimum. This involves seeking a balance between different areas of operations and also seeking the optimum organization structure for efficient operation.

Thus although there is no overall growth (or negative growth occurs) the company will shift its product market position, employ its resources in different fields and continue to search for new opportunities. In particular, the company will aim to correct any weaknesses which it has discovered during its appraisal. For this reason the term corrective strategy is also used. A non-growth strategy is bound to be a corrective strategy, but a corrective strategy can also be used in conjunction with, or as one component of, a growth strategy.

Risk-reducing Contingency Strategies

A company faces risk because of its lack of knowledge of the future. The extent of the risk it faces can be revealed by the use of performance-risk gap analysis, where forecasts of the outcome in n years’ time takes into account not only the likely return but also the risk involved. While on the subject of risk, it should be remembered that although it is desirable to reduce risk, risk is inevitably involved in any business. In fact there are different ways of looking at risk. Risk which is inevitable in the nature of the business; this risk should be minimized as

above. Risk which an organization can afford to take. In general, high return involves higher risk

and a company which is in a strong position might be prepared to take a higher risk in the hope of achieving a high return.

Risk which an organization cannot afford to take. A company cannot afford to commit penny (and perhaps an overdraft as well) to a risky project. In the event of failure it would be left in an extremely vulnerable position and could even face winding up.

Risk which an organization cannot afford not to take. Sometimes a company is forced to take a risk because it knows that its competitors are going to act and if it does not follow it could be seriously left behind.

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Chapter 2Conceptual Framework

The capital structure is the basic concept that should be designed with the aim of maximizing the market valuation of the firm in the long run. The important determinants in designing capital structure are:

1. Type of Asset Financed: Ideally short-term liabilities should be used to create short-term assets and long-term liabilities for long-term assets. Otherwise a mismatch develops between the time to extinguish the liability and the asset generation of returns. This mismatch may introduce elements of risks like interest rate movements and market receptivity at the time of refinancing.

2. Nature of the Industry: A firm generally relies more on long-term debt and equity if its capital intensity is high. All short-term assets need not be financed by short-term debt. In a non-seasonal and non-cyclical business, investments in current assets assume the characteristics of fixed assets and hence need to be financed by long-term liabilities. If the business is seasonal in nature, the funding needs at seasonal peaks may be financed by short-term debt. The risk of financial leverage increases for businesses subject to large cyclical variations. These businesses need capital structures that can buffer the risks associated with such swings.

3. Degree of Competition: A business characterized by intense competition and low entry barriers faces greater risk of earnings fluctuations. The risks of fluctuating earnings can be partially hedged by placing more weightage for equity financing. Reductions in the levels of competition and higher entry barriers decrease the volatility of the earnings stream and present an opportunity to safely and profitably increase the financial leverage.

4. Obsolescence: The key factors that lead to technological obsolescence should be identified and properly assessed. Obsolescence can occur in products, manufacturing processes, material components and even marketing. Financial maneuverability is at a premium during times of crisis triggered by ' obsolescence. Excessive leverage can limit the firm's ability to respond to such crisis. If the chances of obsolescence are high, the capital structure should be built conservatively.

5. Product Life Cycle: At the venture stage, the risks are high. Therefore equity, being risk capital per se, is usually the primary source of finance. The venture cannot assume additional risks associated with financial leverage. During the growth stage, the risk of failure decreases and the emphasis shifts to financing growth. Rapid growth generally signals significant investment needs and requires huge sums of capital to fuel growth. This may entail large doses of debt and periodic induction of additional equity capital. As growth slows, seasonality and cyclicality become more apparent, As the business reaches maturity stage, leverage is likely to decline as cash flows accelerate.

6. Financial Policy: Designing an optimum capital structure should be done in response to overall financial policy of the firm. The management may have evolved certain financial policies like maximum debt-equity ratio, predetermined dividend pay-out, minimum debt service coverage level, etc, Designing of capital structure will become subservient to such constraints and the solution provided may be suboptimal.

7. Past and Current Capital Structure: The proposed capital structure is often determined by past events. Prior financing decisions, acquisitions, investment decisions, etc. create conditions which may be difficult to change in the short run. However, in the medium- to long-term, capital structure can be changed by issuing or retiring debt, issuing equity, equity buy-backs (when permitted), securitization, altering dividend policies, changing asset turnover, etc.

8. Corporate Control: Firms which are vulnerable to takeover are averse to further issuance of equity as it can result in the dilution of the ownership stake. Such firms place an excessive reliance on debt and retained earnings. Firms with 'strong' management (having controlling stake) are unlikely to have reservations over further issue of equity.

9. Credit Rating: The market assigns a great deal of weightage to the credit rating of a firm. Hence obtaining and maintaining a target rating has become imperative for most firms. Rating agencies maintain constant watch to identify any signs of deterioration in the creditworthiness of the company. The market reacts negatively to any downgrading of the rating of a firm. This may result in a denial of access to capital either due to the provision of any law/regulations (companies below a certain rating cannot issue CPs) or by the market forces (investors may not subscribe to debt with low ratings). The possibility of downgrading of rating due to the increase in leverage should be factored in while making capital structure decisions.

ROI-ROE Analysis

The relationship between the Return on Investment (total capital employed) and the return on equity (net worth) at different levels of financial leverage needs to be analyzed.

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The relation between ROI and ROE is as follows:

ROE = {ROI + (ROI - kd) D/E) (I -1).

Where,

ROE is the return on equity

ROI is the return on investment

kd is the cost of debt (pre-tax)

D is the debt component in the total capital

E is the equity component in the total capital

t is the tax rate

The ROE of an unlevered firm (or a firm with a lower leverage) is higher than the ROE of a levered firm (or a firm with a higher leverage) when the ROI is lower than the cost of debt. Conversely, the ROE of a levered firm is higher than the ROE of an unlevered firm (or a firm with lower leverage) when the ROI is higher than the cost of debt. The ROE will remain constant irrespective of the levels of leverage if the ROI is equal to the cost of debt.

Beta and Theta are identical firms except for their capital structure.

Particulars Beta Theta

Debt - 500

Equity 1000 500

Total Investment 1000 1000

Tax Rate 40% 40%

Cost of Debt - 10%

We shall examine the impact on ROE of both the firms if the ROI is 5%, 10% and 20%.

Particulars Beta Theta

ROI 5% 10% 20% 5% 10% 20%EBIT 50 100 200 50 100 200

Interest 0 0 0 50 50 50PBT 50 100 200 0 50 150

Tax 20 40 80 0 20 60PAT 30 60 120 0 30 90

ROE 3% 6% 12% 0% 6% 18%

It can be observed that firm Beta is better off (generates a higher ROE) when the ROI at 5% is less than the cost of debt at 10%. On the other hand, firm Theta is better off when the ROI at 20% is higher than the cost of debt at 10%. When the ROI is equal to the cost of capital, both the firms generate an identical ROE of 6%.

DU PONT ANALYSIS

It is important to examine a firm's rate of return on assets (ROA) in terms of profit margin and asset turnover. The profit margin measures the profit earned per Rupee of gross revenue but does not consider the amount of assets used to generate the revenue margin ratio.

Return on assets =

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= Net profit margin x Average asset turnover

When analyzing a change in return on assets, the analyst could look into the above equation to see changes in its components: net profit margin and total assets turnover.

Figure 2.1 Du point Analysis

A firm's rate of return on firm equity (ROE) is related to ROA through the interest-expense to-average-asset ratio and a leverage ratio - the asset-to-equity ratio, often termed the equity multiplier. Thus, the impact of ROE of changes in leverage as well as changes can be determined in firm operations and efficiency. Du point analysis is an excellent method to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a firm. A low or declining ROE is a signal that there may be a weakness. However, using Du pont analysis, source of the weakness can be determined. Asset, management, expense control, production efficiency or marketing could be the potential weaknesses within the firm. Expressing the individual components rather than interpreting ROE itself, may identify these weaknesses more readily.

ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED (EVA)

Economic Value Added or EVA is the economic profit generated after the cost of invested capital. EVA incorporates the opportunity cost of invested capital that is not realized by traditional accounting measures. Numerous studies have shown EVA to have a higher correlation to stock valuation than accounting based measures.

EVA = Net Operating Profit after Tax - (Invested Capital x Cost of Capital)

There are two steps required to convert GAAP net income to EVA. First, calculate net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) by adjusting net income. Common adjustments include extraordinary gains and losses, securities gains and losses, provision expenses and preferred stock dividends. Second, calculate invested capital and apply cost of capital. Invested capital includes book value of common and preferred equity, after-tax allowance for loan losses, and certain adjustments for cumulative non-operating gains and losses. Cost of capital equals the minimum required rate of return for investors (e.g. 15%). Whenever EVA is positive, shareholders have received a total economic return on their investment in excess of their required rate of return. .

CASH FLOW RETURNS ON INVESTMENT (CFROI)

CFROI is defined as the return on investment expected over the average life of the firm's existing assets. CFROI is nothing but another form of IRR measure. The key difference between the IRR and CFROI is that cash flows and investment are stated in constant monetary units in CFROI which overcome deficiencies of the traditional return on investment methods.

Model for Maximizing Shareholder Value

The following section discusses a few models for maximizing shareholders' wealth. Management focused on maximizing shareholders' wealth is referred to as value-based management. The models being discussed are

Marakon model

Alcar model

McKinsey model.

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MARAKON MODEL

The Marakon model was developed by Marakon Associates, a management consulting firm known for its work in the field of value-based management. According to this model, a firm's value is measured by the ratio of its market value to the book value. An increase in this ratio depicts an increase in the value of the firm, and a reduction reflects a reduction in the firm's value. The model further states that a firm can maximize its value by following these four steps:

Understand the financial factors that determine the firm's value

Understand the strategic forces that affect the value of the firm

Formulate strategies that lead to a higher value for the firm

Create internal structures to counter the divergence between the shareholders1 goals and the management's goals.

Financial Factors

The first step in this model is to identify the financial factors that affect the value of the firm. The model states that a firm's market value to book value ratio, and hence, its value depends on three factors - return on equity, cost of equity, and growth rate. This conclusion is drawn indirectly from the constant growth dividend discount model.

Let P0 M be the current market price of the firm's share

D1 be the dividend per share after one year

k be the cost of equity

g be the growth rate in earnings and dividends

r be the return on equity

B be the current book value per share

b be the dividend pay-out ratio.

The constant growth dividend discount model says that

Further,

D0 – B x r x b

Substituting the value of Dj in the dividend discount model, we get Bxrxb

Dividing both sides of the equation by B, we get

Further, we know that

g = r (1- b)

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or, r x b = r - g

Replacing the value of r x b in the equation, we get

Thus, a firm's market value to book value ratio can be derived from its return on equity, its cost of equity and its growth rate. It can be observed from the formula that

1. A firm's market value will be higher than its book value only if its return on equity is higher than its cost of equity. This is supported by the other theories of valuation of equity.

2. When the return on equity is higher than the cost of equity, the higher a firm's growth rate, the higher its market value to book value ratio.

Hence, a firm should have a positive spread between the return on equity and the cost of equity, and a high growth rate in order to create value tor its shareholders.

Strategic Forces

The financial factors that affect a firm's value are in turn affected by some strategic forces. The two important strategic factors that affect a firm's value are market economics and competitive position. The market economics determines the trend of the growth rate and the spread between the return on equity and cost of equity for (he industry as a whole. The firm's competitive position in the industry determines its relative rate of growth and its relative spread. The following figure illustrates the effect of the strategic factors on the firm's value.

Figure 2.2 Strategic Determinants of Value Creation

Market economics refers to the forces that affect the prospects of the industry as a whole. These include

Level of entry barriers

Level of exit barriers

Degree of direct competition

Degree of indirect competition

Number of suppliers

Kinds of regulations

Customers' influence.

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Competitive Position refers to a firm's relative position within the industry, A firm's relative position is affected by its ability to produce differentiated products and its economic cost position. A product can be referred to as a differentiated product when the consumers perceive its quality to be better than the competitive products and are ready to pay a premium for the same. The firm can benefit from a differentiated product in two ways. It may either increase its market share by pricing it competitively, or can command a higher price for its product than its competitors, and forego the higher market share. Thus, the ability to produce differentiated products improves a firm's relative position vis-a-vis its competitors. The other factor that helps a firm enjoy a strategic advantage over its competitors is a low per unit economic cost. Economic costs include operating costs and the cost of capital employed. A low economic cost may result from a number of factors like

Access to cheaper sources of finance

Access to cheaper raw material

State-of-the-art technology resulting in better quality control

Better management

Strong dealer network

Exceptional labor relations.

Strategies

Once a company has identified its potential growth prospects and analyzed its strengths and weaknesses, it needs to develop strategies that would help it utilize its strengths and underplay its weaknesses, thus achieving the maximum possible growth and creating value. For achieving this objective two kinds of strategies are required - participation strategy and competitive strategy.

A company, to create value for its shareholders, has to either operate in an area where the market economies are favorable, or has to produce those products in which it can enjoy a highly competitive position. The strategy that specifies the broad product areas or businesses in which a firm is to be involved is referred to as its participation strategy. At the level of a business unit, this strategy outlines the market areas (in terms of the geographical areas, the high-end market or the low-end market, the level of quality and differentiation to be offered) to be entered.

The strategy on the preferred markets is followed by the competitive strategy, which specifies the plan of action required for achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage in those markets. It includes deciding the way of achieving product differentiation, the method for utilizing the differentiation so created (i.e. by increasing the price of the product or the market share) and the means of creating an economic cost advantage.

Internal Structures

The separation of ownership and management in the traditional manner results in the management bearing all the risks associated with value-adding decisions, without their enjoying any of the benefits. This often results in the management taking sub-optimal decisions. A firm needs internal structures which can control this tendency of the management. These may include

The management's compensation being linked to the company's performance

Corporate governance mechanisms that specify responsibilities and holds managers accountable for their decisions

Resource allocation among projects guided by the specific requirements of the projects rather than the past allocations and capital rationing

A mechanism for making sure that the various projects undertaken form part of a strategy, rather than being disjointed, discrete projects

Plans being made in accordance with the long-term goals and target performance being fixed in accordance with these plans, rather than the level of achievable targets determining the plans. Performance targets should be a function of the plans, rather than being the base for the plans.

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Target performance, when achieved, should be rewarded with promised incentives. Non-fulfillment of such promises affects the future performance.

ALCAR MODEL

The Alcar model, developed by the Alcar Group Inc., a company into management education and software development, uses the discounted cash flow analysis to identify value adding strategies. According to this model, there are seven 'value drivers' that affect a firm's value. These are

The growth rate of sales

Operating profit margin

Income tax rate

Incremental investment in working capital

Incremental investment in fixed assets

Value growth duration

Cost of capital.

Value growth duration refers to the time period for which a strategy is expected to result in a higher than normal growth rate for the firm. The first six factors affect the value of the strategy for the firm by determining the cash flows generated by a strategy. The last term, i.e. the cost of capital, affects the value of the strategy by determining the present value of these cash flows. The following figure represents the Alcar approach.

According to the model, a strategy should be implemented if it generates additional value for a firm. For ascertaining the value generating capability of a strategy, the value of the firm's equity without the strategy is compared to the value of the firm's equity if the strategy is implemented. The strategy is implemented if the latter is higher than the former. The following steps are undertaken for making the comparison.

Figure 2.3

Calculate the value of the firm's equity without the strategy

The present value of the expected cash flows of the firm is calculated using the cost of capital. The cash flows should take the firm's normal growth rate and its effect on operating flows and additional investment in fixed assets and working capital into consideration. The cost of capital would be the weighted average cost of the various sources of finance, with their market values as the weights. The value of the equity is arrived at by deducting the market value of the firm's debt from its present value.

Calculate the value of the firm if the strategy is implemented

The firm's cash flows are calculated over the value growth duration, taking into consideration the growth rate generated by the strategy and the required additional investments in fixed assets and current assets. These cash flows are discounted using the post-strategy cost of capital. The post-strategy cost of capital may be different from the pre-strategy cost of capital due to the financing pattern of the additional funds requirement, or

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due to a higher cost of raising finance. The PV of the residual value of the strategy is added to the present value of these cash flows to arrive at the value of the firm. The residual value is the value of the steady perpetual cash flows generated by the strategy, as at the end of the value growth duration. The post-strategy market value of debt is then deducted from the value of the firm to arrive at the post-strategy value of equity.

The value of the strategy is given by the difference between the post-strategy value and the pre-strategy value of the firm's equity. A strategy should be accepted if it generates a positive value.

MCKINSEY MODEL

The McKinsey model, developed by leading management consultants McKinsey & Company, is a comprehensive approach to value-based management. It focuses on the identification of key value drivers at various levels of the organization, and places emphasis on these value drivers in all the areas, i.e. in setting up of targets, in the various management processes, in performance measurement, etc. According to Copeland, Roller and Murrin, value-based management is "an approach to management whereby the company's overall aspirations, analytical techniques, and management processes are all aligned to help the company maximize its value by focusing management decision-making on the key drivers of value". According to this model, the key steps in maximizing the value of a firm are as follows:

Identification of value maximization as the supreme goal Identification of the value drivers Development of strategy Setting of targets Deciding upon the action plans Setting up the performance measurement system Implementation.

Value Maximization - The Supreme Goal

A firm may have many conflicting goals like maximization of PAT, maximization of market share, achieving consumer satisfaction, etc. The first step in maximizing the value of a firm is to make it the most important goal for the organization. It is generally reflected in maximized discounted cash flows. The other goals that a firm may have are generally consistent with the goal of value maximization, but in case of a conflict, it should prevail over all other objectives.

Identification of the Value Drivers

The important factors that affect the value of a business are referred to as key value drivers. It is necessary to identify these variables for value-based management. The value drivers need to be identified at various levels of an organization, so that the personnel at all levels can ensure that their performance is in accordance with the overall objective. The other objectives of a firm mentioned above may act as value drivers at some level of the organization. For example, degree of innovation in products may be identified as the value driver for the design department. The three main levels at which the key value drivers need to be identified are

The generic level: At this level, the variables that reflect the achievement or non-achievement of the value maximization objective most directly are identified. These may be the return on capital employed or operating margin or the net profit margin, etc.

The department level: At this level, the variables that guide the department towards achieving the overall objective are identified. For example, for the sales department, the key value drivers may be achieving the optimum product mix, maximizing market share, etc.

The grass roots level: At the grass roots level, the variables that reflect the performance at the operational level are identified. These may be the level of capacity utilization, cost of managing inventory, etc.

Development of Strategy

The next step is to develop strategies at all levels of the organization, which are consistent with the goal of value maximization, and lead to the achievement of the same. The strategies should be aimed at and give directions for the achievement of the desired level of the key value drivers.

Setting of Targets13

Development of strategies is followed by setting up of specific short-term and long-term targets. These should be specified in terms of the desirable level of key value drivers. The short-term targets should be in tune with the long-term targets. Similarly, the targets for the various levels of the organization should be in tune. They should be set both for financial as well as non-financial variables.

Deciding upon the Action Plans

Once the strategy is in place and the targets have been determined, there is a need to specify the particular actions that are required to be undertaken to achieve the targets in a manner that is consistent with the strategy. At this stage, the detailed action plans are laid out.

Setting up the Performance Measurement System

The future performance of personnel is affected by the way their performance is measured, to a large extent. Hence, it is essential to set up a precise and unambiguous performance measurement system. A performance measurement system should be linked to the achievement of targets and should reflect the characteristics of each individual department.

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Chapter 3Strategic Wage Management

Preparation and Payment of Wages and Accounting

PREPARATION AND PAYMENT OF WAGES

When wages are paid on the basis of time, Clock Cards form the basis of preparation of Payroll On the other hand, when payments are made on the basis of results, Piece Work Cards form the basis of preparation of the Payroll or Wages Sheet.

It is desirable that separate Payroll or Wages Sheet is prepared for each cost centre or department. This will serve three purposes, viz.,

(a) The volume of work can be spread over;

(b) The departmental labour rate can be calculated for each department, and

(c) The actual wages of a department can be compared with the budgeted wages so as to pin down responsibility.

From the gross wages certain deductions are made to ascertain the net amount payable to the workers. For instance, under the Payment of Wages Act, 1963, some of the authorized heads of deductions are:

1. House Rent and supply of other amenities and services.

2. Advance taken by workers.

3. Income-tax.

4. Provident Fund.

5. Employees' Slate Insurance.

6. Co-operative Society dues, etc.

When the Wages Sheets are completed, they are passed to the cashier for payment. The cashier then makes arrangement for paying out wages.

Prevention of fraud in wage payment: One of the problems associated with wage payment is the possibility of fraud perpetuated by workers. The following types of frauds are more commonly seen:

1. Inclusion of ghost or dummy workers in the payroll.

2. Inclusion of wrong hours when payment is done on the basis of time or overstatement of work done when payment is made on the basis of results.

3. Use of wrong rate of pay in the payroll.

4. Inclusion of overtime, bonus, etc. not entitled or due, or overstatement of the amount due,

5. Deliberate absenteeism on the date of wage payment to claim fraudulent payment later.

6. Omission to make authorized deductions (partially or fully), etc.

To prevent fraud in payment of wages, a number of steps should be taken. These are:

1. Payment of wages in a factory is to be made preferably at the same time and in all the departments/sections in the presence of the departmental/sectional heads. All payments should be made only on proper identification.

2. Attendance time should be reconciled with time booked and lost time. This will help in detecting attendance of a dummy worker fraudulently marked in the time card.

15

3. The rate of wages (time or piece basis) should be verified from relevant schedule of wage rates. Any change in the rate should be incorporated in the schedule only when it is approved by a responsible officer.

4. There should be proper authorization in advance for overtime work. Actual hours worked should not exceed that authorized, Similarly, payment for idle time, scrap and defective production should be made only on proper authorization. Payment for incentives should be made only on the basis of a certificate issued and initialled by the inspector.

5. Certain necessary safeguards within the wages section are to be taken. For instance, those who check the Clock Cards should not be concerned with the preparation of the payroll and those who do that work should not be concerned with making up the pay, or in paying out the wages. Further, all calculations of payroll should be verified by another clerk. The payroll should be signed by the individuals on preparation and verification.

6. Unclaimed wages should be paid on particular dates under strict supervision. All payments in this respect should be made after proper scrutiny of the reason for not drawing wages on the payment day.

7. The exact amount of wages should be drawn from the bank and each individual should be paid his exact amount. Before handing over the pay packet, it should be recounted by another individual.

8. Outstation workers should be paid by the staff from Head or Main Cash office.

ACCOUNTING FOR WAGES

An analysis of the wages to the main control accounts is essential for accounting purposes. For this purpose, it is necessary to make use of a Wages Analysis Book.

Wages Analysis Book

Dept Total Work-in-Progress

Fy. O.H. Control A/c

Admn. O.K. Control A/c

Selling and Distribution O.H. Control

A/c

Net Amount

Deduction Accounts

Income Tax

P.F. E.S.I. Others

Wages Analysis Book

The above analysis is necessary for accounting. The deduction accounts relate to credit side for use in an integral system of accounts.

From Figure 3.9 it will be seen that provision is made for entering the wages by departments, and. extending them to Work-in-Progress Control Account, Factory Overhead Control Account, Administration Overhead Control Account, and Selling and Distribution Overhead Control Account. The documents necessary for compiling these extensions are:

(1) Payroll

(2) Job Cards

(3) Idle time Cards

(4) Wages Analysis Sheet

Treatment of Idle Facilities, Idle Time, etc.

Idle Facilities

It is the availability of facilities of plant and machinery and others which are not being utilized. It is not possible to work a machine all the available time. Idle facilities may be unavoidable and avoidable. Unavoidable idle facilities is the difference between maximum capacity and budgeted or standard capacity expected. Avoidable idle facilities is the difference between budgeted or standard capacity expected and the aggregate of actual time booked and the idle time.

16

No ................... Week Ending.

Wages Analysis Sheet

Job No. 10 Job No. 1 1 Job No. 13 Job No. 15 Job No, 16 Summary

Clo

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.

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ount

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.

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Hrs

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1011131516

Total

Wages Analysis Sheet.

This type of analysts is done with the help of Job Card and Idle time Cards. The total shown in the summary column must agree with the direct wages on the Payroll- The total will be posted to Work-in -Progress Account and Factory Overhead Control Account via Wages Analysis Book.

Figure 3.1Accounting of Labour Cost in a diagram.

While accounting for wages in the Cost Ledger, it is important to segregate the cost into direct and indirect—the direct labour cost being charged to prime cost while indirect labour being included in product cost as overhead (production, administration, selling and distribution, as the case may be) on some equitable basis. (For details of accounting procedure see Chapter 7 on Cost Control Accounts.)

Illustration 3.1Machine capacity: 48 hours per week No. of working weeks in a year 50Anticipated working hours: 80% of maximum possible hours Actual hours worked: 1,800 Idle time (hours): Waiting for instructions 40 Waiting for materials 20 Machine breakdown 30 90 Idle facilities may be calculated as follows:

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Maximum possible capacity in the year (48 X 50) = 2,400 hours Budgeted or standard capacity expected for the period (2,400 x 80%) = 1,920 hours (i) Unavoidable idle facilities (2,400 - 1,920) 480 hours (ii) Avoidable idle facilities: Standard capacity expected 1,920 hrs.

Less: Actual hours recorded 1,800 Add: Idle time 90 1,890 hrs. 30 hours

The main point of distinction between idle facilities and idle time is that the former is related with idleness of plant, machinery and other facilities while the latter with idleness of labour.

Treatment in cost: The cost of idle facilities will include part of standing or fixed charges relating to the machine, and share of general overhead. The labour cost of operator may be excluded on the assumption that the operator has worked with another machine during the hours the machine was available for work.

The cost of idle facilities for reasons such as trade depression, shortage of demand, etc. should be written off to Costing Profit and Loss Account. The remaining portion of the cost of idle facilities should be included in the works overhead.

Idle Time

Idle lime may be defined as the time during which no production is obtained although wages are paid for that period. In other words, it denotes payment made to a worker for a period during which he remains 'idle' and does no work. This is represented by the difference between the time as per the attendance records and the time booked to the various jobs or work orders. The various causes that lead workers to sit idle may be grouped under three broad heads:

I. Productive Causes which may be further classified as follows:

(i) Waiting for work(ii) Waiting for tools and/or raw materials(iii) Waiting for instructions(iv) Power failure(v) Machine breakdown, etc.

II. Administrative Causes which arise out of administrative decisions, e.g., when there is a surplus capacity of plant and machinery which the management decide not to work, there may be some idle time. This is represented by idle facilities.

III. Economic Causes, e.g., stoppage of production due to non-availability of raw materials, fall in demand, etc.

Some of the causes mentioned are controllable internally while others are beyond the control of management. Therefore, from the standpoint of controllability, idle time may be of two types:

(i) controllable, i.e., idle time due to many of the productive causes is subject to control internally. (ii) uncontrollable, e.g., idle time arising out of economic and administrative causes.

Treatment in costs: The cost of idle time includes wages of operators for 'lost hours', proportion of machine standing charges and general overheads. The unproductive labour element is charged to a special standing order number, or to a series of them, in order to analyze the cost by causes. The treatment of idle time in costs is as follows:

(a) Cost for normal and controllable idle time: The costs should be segregated under separate standing order numbers and charged to Factory Overhead. When responsibilities can be identified with a department, they should be included in the departmental overhead.

(b) Cost for normal but uncontrollable idle time: Such a cost may be merged with wages of the workers. As a result of merger of idle time cost, the wage rate of the workers gets inflated.

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(c) Cost of abnormal and uncontrollable idle time: This represents the cost of idle time for such reasons as strike, lockouts, fire, shortage of demand, etc. This should be charged directly to Costing Profit and Loss Account. The object behind this is to keep the cost structure more or less comparable at different times and not to allow this to be disturbed by any unforeseen contingencies.

Control of idle time: For effective control, each type of idle time should be allotted a separate Standing Order Number1 and booking should be made against each of them. For example, the standing orders may be for:

SO 1 Waiting for materialSO 2 Waiting for instructionsSO 3 Waiting for toolsSO 4 Waiting for machine repairsSO 5 Waiting for change-over timeSO 6 Waiting for machine setting, etc.

Idle time due to productive causes are more or less subject to internal control. The procedure in this respect may be outlined below:

(a) Waiting for work: All the jobs in hand should be properly planned so that machines can always take up the jobs in sequence and workers do not have to wait for them.

(b) Waiting for tools, etc.: Considerable amount is being spent for idle time due to waiting for tools and/or materials. This can be prevented by ensuring proper stores control and tool scheduling system.

(c) Waiting for instructions: Idle time due to waiting for instructions can be prevented if the production control department issues clear instructions to the workers as to how to handle the job in sequence. The instructions and drawings should be clearly laid down for all jobs taken in hand.

(d) Power failure: It may be due to internal causes, such as improper inspection and maintenance of power plant, breakdown of the transmission wires or due to external reasons like failure from the main power supply station. Idle time due to internal power failure may be reduced by keeping a proper inspection and maintenance of the power plant, transmission wires, etc. But power failure due to external reason, e.g., load shedding, is generally uncontrollable.

(e) Machine breakdown: Machine breakdown can be prevented by keeping proper maintenance system. In other words, a routine check of all the machines at periodical intervals is normally a cure for any major breakdown.

Although the above items can be controlled by proper planning, some amount of idle time is bound to occur due to the time taken in changing from one job to another, setting up the tools for a different job when the previous one is complete. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare a report showing the analysis of lost time so that action may be taken to control idle time where necessary. The report will enable the management to locate the persons or departments responsible for any controllable lost time and to take effective remedial actions. A suggested specimen of such a report of an engineering firm is given in Figure 3.12.

Overtime

Generally, overtime is paid at a higher rate than the normal time. The additional amount expended on overtime work is known as overtime premium. The normal wages paid form part of direct labour cost while there is considerable controversy as regards treatment of overtime premium. Before dealing with the treatment of overtime premium, it is, therefore, necessary to give consideration to the circumstances under which overtime work is generally required. They are:

(i) To complete a work or job within a specific date as requested by the customer. (ii) To make up time lost due to breakdown of machinery, power failure or for any other unavoidable

reason, (iii) To work as a matter of policy due to labour shortage or for any other reason.

In case of (i), the overtime premium should be directly charged to the job concerned and treated as direct wages. But in case of (ii), the premium paid should be treated as an excess cost and, therefore, should be kept out of prime cost. In other words, they should be treated as overhead which would be allocated and recovered from jobs completed during the period. In case of (iii), the premium paid may be treated as part of labour cost by spreading the overtime premium over various jobs completed. This may be done with the help of an average rate calculated by dividing the total wages payable by the total clock hours worked. The logic behind it is that

19

jobs will not show disproportionate labour only because they are produced at different times, e.g., usual working hours, evening overtime, holiday overtime, etc.

When overtime is worked on account of abnormal conditions, such as strike, flood, etc., the premium payable should be charged to Costing Profit and Loss Account. For overtime on capital works, e.g., installation of machinery, the entire cost of overtime should be charged to the Capital Order.

Work on Holiday and/or Weekly Closed Day

Usually, holiday work is paid at a higher rate than normal day's wages. Such additional payment is allocated to overhead like overtime premium. However, if there is a special circumstance as visualized in case of overtime (i.e., to meet the. requirements of the customer), the additional amount is charged directly to the job concerned.

Employer's Contribution to ESI

The contribution made by the employer to Employees' State Insurance Corporation may be treated as follows:

1. Wage rate is inflated to include it in direct wages;2. Recovered as overhead by means of a separate overhead percentage on direct wages;3. Included in general overhead for recovery.

For instance, in contract or process costing, it is possible to treat it as direct charge while in the case of a general engineering works which is engaged on jobbing work, the amount contributed by the employer may be treated as general overhead.

Learner's Wages

Generally, a worker takes more time to do a job during his training period than a trained worker. Therefore, in order to avoid loading the job with excess labour cost, half of his wages may be charged to the job direct while the other half allocated to overhead. However, when the wages cannot be identified with a job, they should be treated as overhead. In many organizations, learners' wages are, as a matter of policy, treated as training cost which forms part of overhead.

Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, etc.

Dearness allowance is paid to the worker in addition to basic wages to cover increased cost of living. When a worker cannot be provided with factory quarters, house rent allowance is also paid for the purpose. Sometimes, compensatory allowance is paid to the workers for natural hardship in a locality. All these payments are made with an idea to keep the basic pay structure of the workers unaltered. Payments made on account of dearness allowance, etc. are treated in accounts as follows:

1. Charge directly to the work on which a worker is engaged. In other words, if payment made to each worker and the work done by him is identifiable, the job or work order (in case of direct workers) or standing order number (in case of indirect workers) is to be charged directly.

2. Charge to general overhead. (Separate standing order numbers are to be used for booking each type of allowance.) Alternatively, it may be recovered as overhead by means of a separate percentage on basic wages.

Fringe Benefits

These are payments for which direct efforts of the workers are not necessary. Fringe benefits, therefore, include:(i) Leave and sick pay;(ii) Holiday pay;(iii) State insurance and medical benefits; (iv) Attendance bonus and shift allowance;(v) Pension provision, retirement allowance, employer's contribution to provident fund; and (vi) other cost representing a present or future return to an employee which is neither deducted on a payroll

nor paid for by the employee.

The cost of fringe benefits is included in the departmental overheads when department-wise identification is possible. If not, it should form part of general overheads. Separate standing order numbers should be used for each type of fringe benefits.

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Problems and solutions

Problem 1 (Normal and Overtime Wages)

Calculate the normal and overtime wages payable to a workman from the following data:

Days Hours workedMonday 8 hrs.Tuesday 10 hrs.Wednesday 9 hrs.Thursday 11 hrs.Friday 9 hrs.Saturday 4 hrs.

51 hrs.

Normal working hours 8 hours per day

Normal rate Re. 1 per hour

Overtime rate up to 9 hours in a day at single rate and over 9 hours in a day at double rate; or

up to 48 hours in a week at single rate and over 48 hours at double rate, whichever is more beneficial to the workmen.

Solution

Total hours Normal working Overtime hoursDays worked hours At Single Rate At Double Rate

Monday 8 8 — —Tuesday to 8 1 1Wednesday 9 8 1 —Thursday 11 8 1 2Friday 9 8 1 —Saturday 4 4 _ —Total 51 44 4 3

Normal wages : 44 hours @ Re. 1 = Rs. 44

Overtime wages :

At single rate : 4 hours @ Re. 1 = Rs. 4

At double rate : 3 hours @ Rs. 2 = Rs. 6

Total wages

or

Normal wages : 48 hours @ Re. 1 = Rs. 48

Overtime wages : 3 hours @ Rs. 2 =

Total wages Thus, whatever method is followed, wages payable to the workman is Rs. 54.

Problem 2 (Overtime Impact on Labour Cost)

A company's basic wages rate is £ 0.45 per hour and its overtime rates are:

Evenings—time and one-third;

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Weekends—double time.

During the previous year, the following hours we; re worked Normal time 4,40,000 Clock hours Time plus one-third 40,000 Clock hours Double time 20,000 Clock hours The following times have been worked on the stated jobs: Job X Job Y Job Z Clock hours Clock hours Clock hoursNormal time 6,000 10,000 8,000Evening overtime 600 1,200 2,100Weekend overtime 200 100 600

You are required to calculate the labour cost chargeable to each job in each of the following circumstances:

(a) Where overtime is worked regularly throughout the year as company policy due to labour shortage.(b) Where overtime is worked irregularly to meet spasmodic production requirement.(c) Where overtime is worked specifically at the customer's request to expedite delivery.

State briefly the reason for each method chosen.

Solution

Basic rate Per hour £

0.45

Evening rate 0.60

Weekend rate (2 x 0.45) 0.90

Average wage rate during the previous year =

Particulars Hours worked Rate per hour (£) Wages paid (£)Normal time 4,40,000 0.45 1,98,000 Evening overtime 40,000 0.60 24,000

Weekend overtime 20,000 0.90 18,000

Total 5,00,000 £ 2,40,000

Thus, average wage rate = = £ 0.48.

(a) Since overtime is worked regularly throughout the year as a matter of company policy due to labour shortage, jobs completed during overtime (evening or holiday) should not be overloaded by charging more while those completed during normal time should not be under-loaded. This necessitates the application of the average wage rate as follows.

Job Job Job X Y ZTotal Clock hours 6,800 11,300 10,700Rate per hour (£) 0.48 0.48 0.48Labour cost chargeable (£) 3,264 5,424 5,136

(b) In this case, overtime is an abnormal and irregular feature and, therefore, overtime premium should be treated as production overhead while the jobs should be charged at basic rate only.

Job Job Job X Y ZTotal Clock hours 6,800 11,300 10,700Rate per hour (£) 0.48 0.45 0.45Labour cost chargeable (£) 3,060 5,085 4,815

Since overtime is worked specifically at the request of the customer to expedite delivery, the customer would be 22

ready to bear the excess labour cost. Therefore, the overtime premium should be charged to the jobs as follows

Methods of Remuneration

Labour is one of the four factors of production. Remuneration for labour is wages as remuneration for capital is interest, for land is rent and for organization is profit. Both direct and indirect labour employed in an organization will have to be paid remuneration for the services rendered by them. Selection of a right person for the right job, as we have seen in the previous Section, is crucial to labour cost management. The amount of remuneration or wages payable to each of the employees depends on a number of factors. The terms of employment generally specify the rate or scale of pay and other allowances payable to workers. In the modern industrial enterprise of mass production, a worker's wages are Dased upon job evaluation, negotiated labour contracts, profit-sharing, incentive and wages plans, etc. In this Section, we discuss methods of remuneration by grouping them under two main headings, viz. (1) Time basis, e.g., by hour, day or week, (2) Results basis, e.g., straight piecework, differential piecework. Besides all these, there are monetary and non-monetary incentive schemes which are also discussed.

NEED FOR INCENTIVE SCHEMES

Low wages do not necessarily mean a low cost of production. On the other hand, high wages may ultimately result in low cost of production. This is achieved in two ways:

1. High wages induce workers to produce more. Increase in productivity will result in lower labour cost per unit.

2. Because of the greater number of units produced, the unit fixed cost will also tend to come down.

Further, in underdeveloped countries, one of the main needs of modern days is to raise the standard of living. This again requires the larger output of a number of consumer goods, which by chain action needs increased output all round. Sufficiency in production will also help to check inflation.

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED

The following factors must be given due consideration before selecting a system of payment.(a) Simplicity: Unless the wage system is understood by the workers, the fullest advantage cannot be

obtained out of it. Therefore, the wage system should be simple and capable of being understood by workers of average intelligence. Simplicity from the point of view of analysis and recording in the Cost Accounts may also be considered.

(b) Quantity and quality of output: If quantity is more important than quality, the method of remuneration should be such that it encourages increased production. On the other hand, when quality is more important, wage payments should be preferably based upon time rather than on production quantities.

(c) Incidence of overhead: In large manufacturing enterprises, heavy expenses of indirect nature (overhead) are incurred. A major portion of overhead is again fixed, that is to say, they remain constant even when volume of production fluctuates with a range. It should be emphasized that an increased

23

volume of production results in lower unit fixed cost whereas a decrease in production results in increased cost of production per unit of output. Consequently, the factor 'incidence of overhead' is of outstanding significance and lies at the basis of all schemes of remuneration. In this connection, two things should be considered:

(i) expected volume of output, and(ii) expected savings in time in producing it.

(a) Effect upon workers: High wages will attract efficient workers from outside, and retain those who are already in employment; so the cost of labour turnover is less. The role of workers' union should also be assessed and it should be taken into consideration in selecting the wage system.

(b) Statutory provisions: There may be legislative measures to protect the right of wage earners and to emphasize managerial obligations in this regard. However, the government legislation, if any, generally sets the floor, i.e., the minimum wages payable under a given situation. This aspect should not also be lost sight of.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF AN EFFECTIVE WAGE PLAN

These may be enumerated as follows:

1. It should be based upon scientific time and motion study to ensure a fair output and a fair remuneration.

2. There should be guaranteed minimum wages at a satisfactory level.

3. The wages should be related to the effort put in by the employee. It should be fair to both the employees and employer.

4. The scheme should be flexible to permit any necessary variations which may arise.

5. There must be continuous flow of work. After completing one piece, the workmen should be able to go over to the next without waiting.

6. After a certain stage, the increase in production must yield decreasing rate so as to discourage very high production which may involve heavy rejections.

7. The scheme should aim at increasing the morale of the workers and reducing labour turnover.

8. The scheme should not be in violation of any local or national trade agreements.

9. The operating and administrative cost of the scheme should be kept at a minimum.

METHODS OF REMUNERATION

For convenience, the various methods of remuneration may be broken down into the following main heads:1. Time Rates

2. Piece Rates

3. Combination of Time and Piece Rates

4. Premium Bonus Schemes

5. Group Bonuses

6. Others

The different methods included in each of the above groups can be diagrammatically shown. Various systems may now be considered in greater detail.

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Figure 3.2 Wage System and Incentive Schemes

Time Rate Systems

The general characteristic of all the time rate systems is that the workers do not get anything beyond their time wages, i.e., Time x Rate. It is the employer who may gain arising out of extra efficiency of his workers or lose due to their inefficiency. We discuss below the features of three time rate systems.

(a) Time rate at ordinary levels: Under this method, payment is made on the basis of time which may be hour, day, week or a month. The rate of pay should not be less than that prescribed by a tribunal, wage board award or by the Government through Payment of Minimum Wages Act. When payment is made on the basis of hours worked by the employees, wages are to be calculated as follows:

Wages - Hours worked x Rate per hour

For overtime work, an extra premium will be usually paid.

(b) Time rate at high wage levels: This system is similar to the previous one except that the day rates are made high enough, so that in return a much higher standard of performance from the workers is ensured. Henry Ford was of the opinion that time rates at high wage levels are equally effective like other incentive plans. The features of a high-wages plan may be summarized below:

1. The hourly rate is higher than normal wage for the industry.

2. Standards of performance are set and there is stricter supervision to ensure the attainment of the standards. The standards set should be capable of being accomplished by an efficient worker.

3. Overtime work is not permitted.

(c) Graduated time rates: Under this method, wages are paid at time rates which vary with changes in local cost of living index.

In India, the basic wage rates normally remain fixed and it is the dearness allowance that varies with the cost of living. Sometimes, wage rates are adjusted with changes in the selling price of the product.

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Application of Time Rate Systems

There are many circumstances in which lime rate systems are suitable. They are:

1. Where the work demands a high degree of skill and quantity of production is less important, e.g., tool-making, machine manufacturing, watch-making, etc.

2. Where it is difficult to measure the work done by workers. This is applicable in case of indirect workers such as supervisors, cleaners and sweepers, night watchmen, etc.

3. Where machine performs the job and the workers have no control over the work, e.g., in process industries the flow of work is regulated by the speed of the conveyor belt.

4. Where work is not repetitive, e.g., in jobbing type industries.

5. Where work is of such a nature that efficiency can be ensured by close supervision.

6. Where worker does a work in his own interest, e.g., construction of accommodation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Time Rate Systems

Advantages

1. It is simple to understand and operate.

2. The workers are more or less certain about the amount they will earn so long as they remain in employment. This leads to contented body of workers which in turn improve the employer-employee relationship.

3. For precision work (e.g., tool-making and pattern-making) where care is more important than speed, the time rate systems will help in maintaining quality of products.

Disadvantages

1. Since the workers are certain about their wages, they may not care to improve their efficiency to increase production. In other words, the workers tend to adopt 'go-slow' tactics. This leads to higher cost of production inasmuch as more time means more labour cost and consequently more overheads.

2. Efficient workers' efforts are not rewarded. This will lead to frustration of efficient workers and consequently more labour turnover.

Piece Rate Systems, i.e., Payments by Results

Systems based on work are otherwise known as piece rate systems. According to these systems, the extent or volume of work done forms the basis for determination of the wages payable to the workers. It is paid at a certain rate per unit produced or job performed or operation completed irrespective of the duration of time taken by the workers. Generally, workers stand to gain or lose as a result of a standard efficiency which they attain. The slogan may be "produce more and earn more".

The advantages and disadvantages of the piece rate systems in general may be summarized as follows:

Advantages

1. Workers are paid only for the work they have done. Thus, the employer does not stand to lose anything because of variation in the efficiency of the workers.

2. In their bid to earn more, workers will try to adopt better and more efficient methods in order to increase production. As a result, the general dexterity and skill of the workers are enhanced.

3. Because of (2), a larger output will generally result. This will, in turn, lead to reduction in cost and a greater margin of profit.

4. Change-over time, wasted time, etc. are not paid for, as the payment is made only for the turnover of work and consequently idle time will be reduced to minimum.

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5. Cost ascertainment becomes simplified to some extent because exact cost of labour for each unit is available.

6. The operation of piece rate wage system provides a sound basis for standard costing and production control, e.g., for ascertaining rates, a very careful time-study is necessary.

Disadvantages

1. The workers will always try to produce more to earn more. Where quality of the product is no less important than the quantity, the increase in production may be achieved at the cost of quality.

2. Increased production does not necessarily mean reduced cost. For instance, if increase in production is effected through more wastage of material, high tool cost, high cost of inspection and quality control, the ultimate cost of production will be higher. Therefore, payment on the basis of piece rate system may induce the workers to increase production disregarding all this which will affect costs adversely.

3. Over-strain on the part of workers will cause frequent absenteeism and bad health.

4. The fixation of piece rates on the basis of standard time required a considerable amount of work at the outset and also during the operation of the scheme.

5. If day wages are net guaranteed, the workers will have to lose when there will be no work. Thus, if flow of work cannot be maintained, opposition from the workers is bound to come.

(a) Straight Piece Rate: Under this method, payment is made on the basis of a fixed amount per unit or per fixed number of units produced without regard to time taken. Thus,

Earnings = Number of units x Rate per unit

The fixation of piece rate generally depends upon:

(i) comparable time rate for the same class of workers, and (ii) expected output, in a given time.

The piece rate is usually fixed with the help of work study Standard time for each job is ascertained first. Piece rate is then ascertained with reference to hourly or daily rate of pay.

Illustration 3.3

Hourly rate of pay Standard lime per unit (ascertained by time and motion study) Rs. 2

90 minutes.'. Piece rate = x 90 = Rs. 3

(b) Piece Rates with graduated time rates: Under this system, workers are paid minimum wages on the basis of time rates. A piece rate system with graduated time rate may include any one of the following:

(i) If earning on the basis of piece rate is less than the guaranteed minimum wages, the workers will be paid on the basis of time rate. On the other hand, if earning according to piece rate is more, the workers will get more.

(ii) Guaranteed wages according to time rate plus a piece rate payment for units above a required minimum,

(iii) Piece rate with a fixed dearness allowance or cost of living bonus.

(c) Differential Piece Rates: Under this system, there is more than one piece rate to reward efficient workers and to encourage the less efficient workers or a trainee to improve. In other words, earnings vary at different stages in the range of output. This scheme was first introduced in the U.S.A. by F.W, Taylor, the father of scientific management, and was subsequently modified by Merrick. These are

27

now discussed below.

(i) Taylor Differential Piece Rate System: In the original Taylor differential system, piece rates were determined by time and motion study. Day wages were not guaranteed. There were two rates: below the standard, a very low piece rate and above the standard, a high piece rate was fixed. Thus, the system was designed to:

1. discourage below-average workers by providing no guaranteed wages and setting low piece rate for low level production, and

2. reward the efficient workers by setting a high piece rate for high level production.

Illustration 3.4 A factory works 8 hours a day. The standard output is 100 units per hour and normal wage rate is Rs. 5 per hour. The factory has introduced the following differentials in the matter of wage payment:

80% of piece rate when below standard 120% of piece rate when at or above standard.

Thus, two piece rates will be fixed as follows:

Normal piece rate = = Re. 0.05.

(a) When below standard, the piece rate will be Re. 0.04, i.e., 80% of Re. 0.05;

(b) When at or above standard, the piece rate will be: Re. 0.06, i.e., 120% of Re. 0.05.

The Taylor differential system is often criticized as "unfair" due to the fact that minimum wages of the worker are not guaranteed. However, Taylor's system is suitable to those industries where products including the processes and operations can be standardized.

(ii) Multiple Piece Rates or Merrick Differential System: Merrick afterwards modified the Taylor's Differential Piece Rate. Under this plan, the punitive lower rate is not imposed for performance below standard. On the other hand, performance above a certain level is rewarded by more than one higher differential rates. The rates which are applied are:

Efficiency Piece-rate applicable

Up to 83 1% Normal rate

Above 83}% but up to 100% 10% above normal rate

Above 100% 30% above normal rate.

Thus, this plan rewards the efficient workers and encourages the less efficient workers to increase their output by not penalizing them for performance below 834%. This method also does not guarantee day wages.

Combination of Time and Piece Rates

(i) Emerson's Efficiency Plan: The main features of the plan are:

(a) Day wages are guaranteed.

(b) A standard time is set for each job or operation, or a volume of output is taken as standard.

(c) Below 66 -|% efficiency, the worker is paid his hourly rate.

(d) From 66y% up to 100% efficiency, payments are made on the basis of step bonus rates.

(e) Above 100% efficiency, an additional bonus of 1% of the hourly rate is paid for each 1% increase in efficiency.

Efficiency for this purpose is calculated as follows:

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(1) On time basis:

Percentage Efficiency - x 100

(2) On production basis:

Percentage Efficiency = x 100

Emerson's Efficiency Plan is suitable to:

(1) encourage slow workers to better their performance;

(2) facilitate an easy transfer from time wages to payment by results scheme.

But this scheme is not meant for skilled and competent workers.

Illustration 4.5

Time Rate: Rs. 8 per hour.

Standard production per week of 40 hours: 600 units.

Step bonus rates are:

Efficiency (%) Bonus (%)67-75 176-85 486-95 1096-100 20

With the foregoing basic data., Emerson's Plan may be illustrated below:

Clock Card No.

Production per week

Percentage Efficiency

BonusTotalwages

Labour cost per unitPercentage Amount

Rs. Rs. Re.10 390 65 — — 320.00 0.8211 400 67 1 3.20 323.20 0.8112 480 80 4 12.80 332.80 0.6917 530 88 10 32.00 352.00 0.6619 550 92 10 32.00 352.00 0.6420 570 95 10 32.00 352.00 0.6226 580 97 20 64.00 384.00 0.6628 600 100 20 64.00 384.00 0.6430 620 103 23 73.60 393.60 0.63

(ii) Gantt Task and Bonus Scheme: This system combines time rales, high piece rates and bonus. Its main features are:

1. Day wages are guaranteed.

2. Standards are set and bonus is paid if a work is completed within the standard time allowed.

3. Performance below standard is paid on the basis of time rates (guaranteed).

4. Performance above standard (i.e., when time taken is less than standard time allowed) is paid at high piece rate. The foreman may also receive bonus if the workers under him qualify for it.

The time and bonus rates are fixed for each job, and when a job is completed the worker goes on with the next. 29

The pay thus earned consists of (i) day wages plus (ii) the sum of all bonuses (i.e., quantity x high piece rate).

Thus, this plan provides an incentive for efficient worker to reach a high level of performance and also protects and encourages the less efficient workers by ensuring the payment of their minimum wages in case their performance is below the standard level. The Gantt Task scheme may be introduced in:

1. Heavy engineering and structural workshop.

2. Machine tool manufacturing industry.

3. Contract costing where work is to be completed within a specified date.

(iii) Bedaux Scheme or 'Points' Scheme: This system requires a very accurate time study and work study. Under this scheme, each minute of standard time is called the Bedaux point or "B". Thus, each operation to be performed can be expressed as being so many "Bs" and payment is made on the basis of the number of "Bs" standing to the credit of a worker.

Time wages are paid until 100% efficiency rate is reached. Under the original plan, the worker received only 75% of the bonus while the 25% was received by supervisors. But, according to modified scheme, the workers nowadays receive 100% of the bonus.

The advantages of the scheme are;

1. A competitive element is introduced and this acts as an additional spur to production.

2. It is a means of strong managerial control and accordingly receives managerial support.

The limitations of the scheme are: high cost due to additional clerical work and inspection, lack of attempt to control material costs, etc.

Premium Bonus Schemes

The various schemes under this method combine time wages with piece rates. As a result, the gains on labour efficiency and losses on inefficiency are shared by employer and employee. There are three chief schemes under this heading, viz.

(a) The Halsey scheme,

(b) The Halsey-Weir scheme, and

(c) The Rowan scheme.

(a) The Halsey Scheme: The main features of this scheme are:

1. Standard time is fixed for each job or operation.

2. Time rate is guaranteed and the worker receives the guaranteed wages irrespective of whether he or she completes the work within the time allowed or takes more time to do it.

3. If the job is completed in less than standard time, a worker is paid a bonus of 50% of the time saved at time rate in addition to his normal time wages.

Thus, Earnings under this scheme will be:

Guaranteed wages + Bonus (50% of time saved), if any

- (Hours worked x Hourly Rate) -t- — (Time allowed - Time taken) x Hourly Rate.

Illustration 3.6

Normal hourly rate Rs. 2

Time allowed for a job 10 hours

30

Time taken 8 hours

Therefore, total earnings will be:

1 (8 x Rs. 2) + ~ (10 - 8) x 2

= Rs. 16 -t- 2 - Rs. 18

The advantages and disadvantages of this scheme are mentioned below:

Advantages

1. Simple to understand and operate.

2. The more efficient workers will be able to increase hourly rate of earnings more rapidly with the increase in hours saved.

3. Inefficient workers are not penalised as they get day wages for the hours worked.

4. The employer will share 50% of the bonus due to time saved by the workers. This may induce him to introduce better equipments and methods.

Disadvantages

1. The earning per unit will come down with the increase in efficiency. This may make the workers feel that it is the employer who gains more by their efficiency. The workers may, therefore, object to share their bonus with the employer.

2. The incentive, as compared with other high incentive schemes, is not strong enough to induce the more efficient workers to work harder.

(b) The Halsey-Weir Scheme: Under this scheme, a worker will get a bonus of 30% of time saved as against 50% in the case of previous scheme. In other respects, both Halsey and Halsey-Weir Schemes are similar.

Illustration 3.7 Continuing the previous illustration, the earnings under this scheme will be:

8 X Rs. 2 + (10 - 8) X Rs. 2

= Rs. 16+ 1.20 = Rs. 17.20

(c) Rowan Scheme: This scheme was introduced by David Rowan in Glasgow in 1901. As before, the bonus is paid on the basis of time saved. But unlike a fixed percentage in the case of Halsey Scheme, it takes into account a proportion as follows:

Time saved Time allowed

The bonus may be calculated in two ways:

(i) adding it to the normal time wages, or (ii) adjusting the hourly rate.

But whatever method may be followed, the final result will be the same.

Formulae:

(i) Time wages + (Time wages X Bonus ratio) (ii) Time taken x (Hourly rate + Hourly rate x Bonus ratio)

Bonus Ratio =

Time saved = Time allowed - Time taken

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Illustration 3.8

Time taken 8 hours

Time allowed 10 hours

Rate per hour Rs. 2

Therefore, bonus ratio is =

Earnings : Method (i)

8 hrs. x Rs. 2 + Rs. 16 x

= Rs. 16 + 3.20 = Rs. 19.20Method (ii)

8 hrs. x = 8 hrs. X Rs. 2.40 = Rs. 19.20

The advantages and disadvantages of this method are mentioned below.

Advantages

1. The workers share the benefit with the employer,

2. It is suitable for learners and beginners.

3. It provides a safeguard against loose fixation of standard. For example, even if the rale setting department being newly established in a factory sets erroneously the time allowed, the workers cannot take undue advantage as only a proportion of the savings is passed on to them.

Disadvantages

1. Efficiency beyond certain point is not rewarded.

2. A beginner and a more efficient worker may get the same amount of bonus. This will adversely affect the morale of the efficient workers.

3. It is more complicated than the Halsey System.

Comparison of Halsey and Rowan Schemes

The following table may be of interest in making the comparison between these two premium bonus schemes:

Rateper hour

(1)

Timeallowed

(2)

Timetaken

(3)

Timesaved

(4)

Timewages

(5) =(1 x3)

Bonus Total earnings Earnings perhour

Halsey(6)

Rowan(7)

Halsey(8)

(5 +6)

Rowan(9)

(5 + 7)

Halsey(10)(8-3)

Rowan(11)

(9 + 3)

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.2 10 10 Nil 20 — --- 20.00 20.00 2.00 2.002 10 8 2 16 2.00 3.20 18.00 19.20 2.25 2.402 10 6 4 12 4.00 4.80 16.00 16.80 2.67 2,802 10 5 5 10 5.00 5.00 15.00 15.00 3.00 3.002 10 4 6 8 6.00 4.80 14.00 12.80 3.50 3.202 10 2 8 4 8.00 3.20 12.00 7.20 6.00 3.60

(1) Bonus earned: A comparative position of bonus at different efficiency levels under both the schemes is

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shown in Figure 3.3. The main points may be summarized below:

(i) In the Halsey scheme, the bonus increases steadily with increase in efficiency. But in the Rowan scheme, the bonus increases up to a certain stage and then starts decreasing,

(ii) Rowan scheme provides better bonus than the Halsey scheme until the work is completed in half the standard lime. Again, under Rowan scheme a less efficient worker may get the same bonus as a more efficient one will get. As for instance, when the work is done in 6 hours, the bonus payable is Rs. 4.80 while the same amount is payable to another worker who takes only 4 hours to do it. Although this is unfair, Rowan scheme may provide a safeguard against loose fixation of standard.

Figure 3.3 Bonus under Halsey and Rowan Schemes

(iii) When the work is completed in half the standard lime, the bonus is the same under both the schemes. 50% efficiency is the cut-off or break-even point for both the schemes. This can be proved as follows:

Bonus under Halsey plan = Standard wage rate x x Time saved (i)

Bonus under Rowan plan - Standard wage rate x x Time taken (ii)

Bonus under Halsey Plan will be equal to the Bonus under Rowan Plan when the following condition holds good:

Standard wage rate x x Time saved

= Standard wage rate x x Time taken

or =

or Time taken = of Time allowed

Hence, when the time taken is 50% of the time allowed, the bonus under Halsey and Rowan plans is equal.

(iv) When the work is completed in less than half the standard time, bonus under Halsey scheme is greater.

(2) Total earnings: Time wages under both the schemes remaining constant at a particular level of efficiency, total earnings will vary depending upon the amount of bonus. Therefore, the following points will emerge:

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(i) Below 50% efficiency, earnings under Rowan method will be greater than that under Halsey.(ii) At 50% efficiency level, earnings under both the schemes will be equal.(iii) Beyond 50% efficiency level, earnings under Rowan scheme will be lower than that of Halsey. (iv) In the Halsey scheme, total earnings or labour costs steadily decrease with increase in efficiency.

The decrease, in the Rowan scheme, is at an accelerating pace up to saving of 50% on the time allowed; beyond that the labour costs are less than that under the Halsey scheme.

(3) Earnings per hour: In the Halsey scheme, the earnings per hour increase at an accelerating rale. Under the Rowan scheme, it increases steadily.

A diagrammatic representation of the comparison between Halsey and Rowan schemes is shown in Fig. 4.6.

(d) Bank Scheme: Under this plan day wages are not guaranteed. Wages payable are arrived at by multiplying the hourly rate by square root of the product of the time allowed and time taken. In other [words,

Wages - Hourly rate -Time allowed X Time taken

Illustration 3.9

Hourly rate Time allowed for a job

Rs 25 hours

Find wages payable when time taken is given to be 5 hours, 6 hours and 4 hours respectively by three different workers.

Time allowed Time taken Wages payable Wages perWorker (hours) (hours) Hourly rate x hour Rs.

X 5 6 Rs. 2 - Rs. 11 (approx.) 1.83

Y 5 5 Rs. 2 5 x 5 = Rs. 10 2.00

Z 5 4 Rs. 2 = Rs. 9 (approx.) 2.50

It appears that when efficiency increases, the rate of increase in the total earnings falls. Another disadvantage of this scheme is that because of complication involved in calculating wages, an average worker cannot himself determine his own wages. But this plan is most useful for beginners and trainees and unskilled workers.

(e) Accelerating Premium Bonus: Under this scheme, bonus increases at a faster rate. For example, one may get 175% of basic wages for 175% efficiency. This scheme is not suitable for machine operators, in that owing to the high incentives the workers may rush through work to earn more, disregarding quality of production. But it is suitable for foremen and supervisors, so that they may obtain the maximum possible production from workers under them.

There is no simple formula for this scheme. Therefore, each firm has to devise its own formula. However, by way of illustration, a graph of y = 0.8x2 may be given as a general picture of the scheme (where x is percentage efficiency ÷ 100 and y = wages).

Thus,

Percentage efficiency 100 110 130 150

X 1 1.1 1.3 1.5x2 1 1.21 1.69 2.25

y = 0.8x2 0.8 0.97 1.35 1.80

Multiplying the values of x and y by 100, one gets percentage earnings against percentage efficiency.

Group Bonus Schemes

In all the schemes discussed so far, the bonus payable has been ascertained on an individual basis. But bonus scheme for a group of workers working together may also be introduced where:

(a) it is thought necessary to create a collective interest in the work;

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(b) it is difficult to measure the output of individual workers;(c) the output depends upon the combined effort of a team.

Under these circumstances, a group bonus based on the results of the team effort may be introduced.

Illustration 3.10

Standard production 40 units per week

Number of men working in the group 10

Bonus—for every 25% increase in production, a bonus of Rs. 100 will be shared pro rata among the 10 members of the group.

Actual Production during a week 55 units

Calculate bonus payable to each member of the group.

Actual production 55 units

Standard production 40 units

Increase in production 15 units or 37.5%

Bonus: Rs. 100 + (12.5/25 x Rs. 100) = Rs. 150

Each member of the group, therefore, receives:

Rs. 150 H- 10 = Rs. 15.

Illustration 3.11 In a factory, Group Bonus system is in use which is calculated on the basis of earnings under time rate.

The following particulars are available for a group of 4 workers P, Q, R and S:

(i) Output of the group 16,000 units

(ii) Piece rate per 100 units Rs. 2.50

(iii) No. of hours worked by: P 90

Q 72

R 80

S 100

(iv) Time rate per hour for: P Re. 0.80

Q Re. 1.00

R Rs. 1.20

S Re. 0.80

Calculate the total of bonus and wages earned by each worker. Total Piece Earnings for the group =

x 16,000 = Rs. 400

Time wages of the workers: Rs.P 90 hrs. @ Re. 0.80 = 720 72 hrs. @ Re. 1.00 = 72

R 80 hrs. @ Rs. 1.20 = 96S 100 hrs. @ Re. 0.80 = 80

320

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The advantages of group bonus scheme are:

1. It creates a team spirit.

2. Harmonious working in a group leads to increased output and hence lower cost of production.

3. It eliminates excessive waste of time, materials, etc.

The alleged disadvantages are:

1. The effort of more efficient workers are not properly rewarded. Put in another way, the share of inefficient workers may be the same as that received by more efficient members of the group.

2. It is difficult to fix the amount of incentive and its principle of distribution among the members.

Principal Group Bonus Schemes

Sometimes the idea of group bonus may be extended to the whole factory. The various schemes which may be introduced for this purpose may include the following:

(a) Priestman's Production Bonus,

(b) Rucker, or "Share of Production" Plan,

(c) Scanlon Plan, and

(d) Towne Gain Sharing Plan.

(a) Priestman's Production Bonus: Under this system, a standard is fixed in terms of units or points. If actual output, measured similarly, exceeds standard, the workers will receive a bonus in proportion to the increase. Therefore, this system can operate in a factory where there is mass production of a standard product with little or no bottlenecks.

Illustration 3.12 In a mass production factory, 1,000 workers are employed. Standard output for a week is set at 5,00,000 points. During a week actual output is valued at 6,50,000 points.

In addition to the basic wages, the employees will, therefore, receive a bonus calculated as follows:

Standard output 5,00,000 points

Actual output 6.50,000 points

Increase 1,50,000

or 30%

All employees will be entitled to a bonus of 30% of their wages.

(b) Rucker, or "Share of Production" Plan: According to this plan, employees receive a constant proportion of

36

the 'added value' or 'value added1. The term value added is defined in the Terminology as follows:

The increase in realizable value result ing from an alteration inform, location or availability of a product or service, excluding the cost of purchased materials and services.

Note: Unlike conversion cost, value added includes profit.

The value added concept has become increasingly important in recent years. Many firms are using it both as a measure of performance and as a labour incentive scheme. Value added measures the value added by an enterprise to its product or the provision of a service. In other words,

VA = Sales less cost of bought-in materials and services

or

VA = Profit before tax + Conversion costs + Other costs where conversion costs include manufacturing labour and manufacturing overheads, and other costs include administration, selling and distribution costs (including interest, depreciation, etc.)

In introducing an incentive scheme based on value-added, a ratio of labour cost to value added is set based on normal relationships. Any reduction in the ratio entitles appropriate bonus payment. According to Rucker, labour will receive a constant proportion of 'added-value'.

Illustration 3.13 A Ltd shows the following average pattern over the past five years:

Rs.Labour cost 2,20,000 Production, Admn. and Selling & Dist. Overheads 1,40,000 Profit before tax 60,000 Value added Rs

. 4,00,000

The ratio of labour cost to VA is: x100 = 50%

Assume that bonus is payable for reduction in the ratio at 1% of the added value. In the following year, sales and added value increased. Their results were as follows:

Rs.Labour cost 2,00,000 Production, Admn. and Selling & Distribution Overheads 1,50,000 Profit before tax 80,000

Value added Rs. 4,50,000

Labour cost to VA is: x 100 = 48.5%

Since the ratio was reduced, the bonus payable was:

1% of Rs. 4,50,000 = Rs. 4,500

The value-added scheme appears to be a more satisfactory method than the normal profit-sharing scheme for many reasons. But profit-sharing schemes are still relatively widely used in industry. However, this system presupposes a great deal of consultation between management and workers so as to make the effort more effective.

(c) Scanlon Plan: This plan is similar to the Rucker plan except that it adopts the ratio between wages and sales value of production.

(d) Towne Gain Sharing Plan: According to this plan, 50% of "gain" (savings in cost) is paid to individual workers pro rata in addition to their basic wages. Here bonus is calculated on the basis of reduction in

37

labour cost vis-a-vis the standard set. The supervisory staff may also receive a share of the bonus.Incentive Schemes tor Indirect Workers

One of the main conditions of the incentive systems is that actual output and/or time taken in relation to standard set is determinable. In case of direct workers the measurement of performance does not involve any problem. But in case of indirect workers, whose performance cannot be directly measured (e.g., supervisors, machine maintenance staff, staff of stores, internal transport, packing, dispensing, canteen, etc.), introduction of an incentive system may appear to be difficult. Still it is essential to provide for incentives to the indirect workers for the following reasons:

1. If direct workers are rewarded for their efficiency, there is no reason why the indirect workers should not be brought under some incentive schemes.

2. When only direct workers enjoy incentive schemes, indirect workers who work side by side with them are dissatisfied with such discrimination. This, therefore, affects morale and hence efficiency of the indirect workers. On the other hand, an incentive scheme for indirect workers will increase their efficiency and promote team spirit.

3. When the work of the direct workers is related to or dependent upon that of the indirect workers, any deficiency on the part of the latter due to lack of incentive schemes will also affect adversely the efficiency of direct workers. As for example, if the plant and machinery is not properly and regularly maintained by the staff concerned, the efficiency of machine operator is bound to decrease. Therefore, to attain all round efficiency it is necessary to have incentive schemes both for direct and indirect workers.

For the purpose of incentive schemes, indirect workers may be grouped as under:

(a) Indirect workers working with direct workers, e.g., supervisors, inspectors, checkers, transport workers, etc. In this case, bonus may be based on the output of direct workers whom the indirect workers serve.

(b) Indirect workers rendering general service, e.g., sweepers, canteen workers, dispensing staff, maintenance staff, etc. Bonus to be paid will be determined on a wider basis, e.g., output of a department or of the whole factory, a percentage of bonus payable to the direct workers, job evaluation, merit rating, etc.

In designing an incentive scheme for the indirect workers, the following points must be considered:

1. It should be guaranteed for a specific period, e.g., weekly, monthly, half-yearly, yearly, etc.2. It should be so organized as to achieve all round efficiency.3. It should be paid at regular intervals.4. Rewards should be related to results.

A few examples of incentive schemes to indirect workers are stated below.

(i) Bonus to foremen and supervisors: Supervisors and foremen may be paid a weekly or monthly bonus based upon the following:

(a) output of the section or department concerned;(b) savings in time or expenditure effected over the standards set;(c) overall improvement in efficiency;(d) improvement in the quality of product;(e) reduction of scrap and waste; and(f) reduction of labour turnover.

Incentive for supervisors and foremen would assist in:

(a) reducing idle lime, scrap, waste, etc.(b) increasing production and productivity, and(c) reducing costs (this is possible if production and productivity are increased).

(ii) Banus to repairs and maintenance staff; For routine and repetitive maintenance, a group bonus system can be established on the basis of reduction on the number of complaints or reduction in breakdown. Alternatively, efficiency percentage can be evaluated for the purpose of payment of bonus.

(iii) Bonus to stores staff: It may be based on value of materials handled or number of requisitions. When standards are set, efficiency percentage may be calculated for the purpose.

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Other Incentive Schemes

(a) Indirect Monetary Incentives

Of late, employees frequently receive additional remuneration based on the prosperity of the concern. The principal schemes under this heading include:

(i) Profit-sharing, and (ii) Co-partnership.

These schemes are becoming more and more widespread and are growing in importance.

(i) Profit-sharing: Under this scheme, the employees are entitled, by virtue of an agreement, to a share of profits at an agreed percentage in addition to their wages. Sometimes, a minimum period of service is a condition of participation in the scheme. This type of scheme recognizes the principle that every worker contributes something towards profits and hence he should be paid a percentage thereof.

In India, profit-sharing schemes take the form of an annual or other periodical bonus. In other words, the "available surplus" is generally distributed amongst three parties:

1. The shareholders, 2. The industry, and 3. The employees.

There were considerable disputes as regards the quantum of bonus to be paid to the employees. The Govt. of India set up a Bonus Commission and on the basis of its report the Payment of Bonus Act had been adopted in 1965. Under this Act, the minimum and maximum bonus payable is respectively 8^% and 20% of salary.

(ii) Co-partnership: Under this scheme, employees are allowed to have a share in the capital of the business and thereby to have a share of the profit. The shares held by the employees may or may not carry voting rights. When co-partnership operates in conjunction with profit-sharing, the employees are allowed to leave their bonus with the company as shares or as a loan carrying lucrative interest.

Advantages

1. Schemes like Profit-sharing, Co-partnership, etc. will recognize the principle that every employee, directly or indirectly, contributes something towards profit. This will increase employee morale and thereby reduce labour turnover.

2. More profits may lead to more bonus to the employees. This induces them to increase their efficiency to work hard. As a result, there will be increased productivity.

3. The employees feel a greater "sense of belonging" to the enterprise and this leads to careful handling of costly materials and plants and machinery.

However, certain objections are often raised. They are:

1. Employees are not paid bonus on the basis of output and hence efforts of more efficient employees are not properly rewarded.

2. The employees do not have any access to the accounts of the enterprise and, therefore, they cannot ascertain the propriety of the amount paid to them as bonus. This may, and very often does, lead to disputes which may turn to strike, lockout, etc.

(b) Non-monetary Incentives

These types of incentives relate more to the conditions of employment rather than to job functions. The objectives behind these schemes are two-fold:1. Making the conditions of employment more and more attractive, and2. Promoting better health amongst the employees so as to build up a happy and contented staff.

Non-monetary incentives may be entirely free or subsidized by the company. They are wide in number and may include:1. Canteen—free or subsidized2. Health and safety3. Recreational facilities 4. Housing facilities5. Educational and training4. Pension, Provident Fund schemes, etc.

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Chapter 4Financial aspect of supply chain management

A supply chain is a network of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, transporters, storage facilities and retailers that perform functions like procurement and acquisition of material, processing and transformation of the material into intermediate and finished tangible goods, and finally, the physical distribution of the finished goods to intermediate or final customers.

Components

A supply chain may consist of variety of components depending on the business model selected by a firm. A typical supply chain consists of the following components: Customers Distributors Manufacturers Suppliers

Customers

The customer forms the focus of any supply chain. A customer activates the processes in a supply chain by placing an order with the retailer. The customer order is filled by the retailer, either form the existing inventories, or by placing a fresh order with the wholesaler/manufacturer. In some cases a customer bypasses all these supply chain components by getting in touch with the manufacturers directly. For example in the case of an online purchase of a computer from Dell Computers, the customer places an order directly with the manufacturer.

Figure 4.1: Supply Chain Network

Retailers/Distributors

The retailer acts as a link between the customer and the distributor/manufacturer. He caters to the needs of the customer by making the products available at his store. As part of this process, the retailer places orders with the inanufacturer to replenish the stocks. In a typical supply chain, purchase orders originate at the retailer's end, but in some cases where there is arrangement to share, the POS information with manufacturers the manufacturer monitors the stock levels' and replenishes it automatically, Wal-Mart has such an arrangement with P&G,

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Manufacturers

The manufacturer plays a key role in deciding the structure of supply chain. Depending on the market situation, the manufacturer either uses the pull or the push strategy to generate demand required for the movement of products in the supply chain. The manufacturer then plans for a production schedule depending on the resultant demand.

Suppliers

Suppliers facilitate the manufacturers', production process by ensuring continuous supply of raw materials. Manufacturers1 place orders with suppliers on the basis of 'forecasted customer demand. Since it is very difficult to forecast demand accurately, manufacturers try to integrate their processes with those of the suppliers to be in a better position to respond to fluctuations in customer demands. Suppliers help manufacturers to decrease their inventory levels by arranging for Just-in-time supplies.

Supply chain management involves the use of a set of approaches to integrate efficiently the activities of suppliers, manufacturers, warehousing providers and retailers, so that goods are produced and distributed in right quantities, to the right locations, and at the right time, in order to minimize system-wide costs while meeting customer service expectations.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROCESSES

Although there are many views of supply chain management, at present, many practitioners look upon supply chain management as the management of key business processes across the network of organizations that form the supply chain. According to the definition given by the Global Supply Chain Forum, supply chain management is the integration of key business processes from end-user,to original suppliers that provides products, services, and information that-.add value for customers and other stakeholders. There are eight business processes that are carried out across the supply chain. They are:

Customer Relationship Management Customer Service Management Demand Management Order Fulfillment Manufacturing Flow Management Procurement Product Development and Commercialization Returns

Each of the above processes consists of a set of activities from within various functions of the organizations comprising the supply chain. These functions include marketing, production, finance, research and development, logistics etc. Figure 4.1 shows the various business processes that are performed across the supply drain.

Customer Relationship Management

Customer relationship management involves establishing a framework for building and maintaining relationships with customers. This involves identifying the customer-groups who form the target for achieving the firm's business objectives. Then the customer service teams design the product or service agreements specifying the level of service that is to be offered to each of these customer groups. These teams work in close coordination with the key account customers to reduce demand variability. Performance reports are designed in order to measure levels of service made available to the customer and the profits resulting from serving each of the customer groups.

Customer Service Management

Customer service management is concerned with providing the customer -with up-to-date information relating to shipping dates, product availability, product application, etc. The customer service management teams act as an interface between the customers and the functional departments like production and logistics in administering product and service agreements. Various aspects of customer service management are discussed at length in Chapter 12.

Demand Management

Demand management is the key to effective supply chain management. It plays a major role in balancing the customer's requirements with the firm's supply capabilities. Demand management involves determining

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forecasting methods to gauge customer demand, synchronizing demand with the supply capabilities of the firm, and developing contingency management systems to handle variations in demand. Steps involved in planning demand and supply in a supply chain are discussed in Chapter 4.

Customer Order Fulfillment

The effectiveness of a supply chain is determined by its ability to fill customer orders on time. A high order fulfillment rate with low costs requires coordination between various organizations across -the supply chain and their internal functions like manufacturing, distribution and transportation. The order fulfillment process includes activities like, receiving orders, defining the for order fulfillment, evaluating the logistics network developing plans for order fulfillment etc This topic is discussed in detail in Chapter 13.

Manufacturing Flow Management

Manufacturing flow management is concerned with ensuring the smooth production of goods and developing flexible production processes that can respond to the demands of the target markets. This supply chain process includes activities like determining the degree of manufacturing flexibility required, manufacturing and material planning, determining manufacturing capabilities, synchronizing production and demand, etc.

Procurement

Supplier relationship management guides the interactions of the firm with its suppliers. This process aims at developing long with suppliers to ensure uninterrupted flow of supplies for the firm's manufacturing processes. Such relationships are essential for effective supply chain management.

Product Development and Commercialization

Reducing the time to market is one of the objectives of supply chain management. The product development and commercialization process involves establishing cross-functional product development teams, designing and building prototypes, developing product rollout plans, etc. This requires the integration of customers and suppliers into the product development process to ensure speedy rollout of new products.

Returns Management

Many companies are forced to recall products to rectify defects upgrade the products or recycle them. Thus the returns management capability of a firm also plays a major role in providing a competitive edge to the firm. There may be many environmental issues associated with, the way a firm handles its returns. Hence, managing the products returned is also a major part of supply chain management. The returns management process is discussed at length in Chapter 11. OBJECTIVES OF SCM

One of the major objectives of supply chain management is to reduce the total amount of resources necessary to provide the required level of customer service to a particular customer group. Some of the other objectives of supply chain management are to:

i. Reduce inventory levelsii. Improve customer serviceiii. Make more efficient use of human resourcesiv. Ensure better delivery through reduced cycle timesv. Increase the sharing of information and technology among the participants in the supply chain.vi. Decrease the time required to market new productsvii. Enable firms to focus on core competencies viii. Enhance the public image of companiesix. Induce greater trust and interdependence between supply chain partnersx. Increase shareholder valuexi. Gain competitive advantage over others.

Financial flow is an important flow in any supply chain [apart from material and information "flows]. Firms in the past, focused mainly on improving the material flow in their supply chains. But with opportunities for saving cost and making profits arising from improving the financial flow, firms have begun to streamline the financial flow as well. Technological advances that facilitate automation, have enabled firms to improve the financial flow. Traditionally, backward flow of cash from customers to the product manufacturer or service provider is considered as the financial flow. This includes payments for goods and services to the suppliers and collection

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of payments from the customers for providing goods and services. An efficient financial flow can help the firm in reducing inventory, increasing cash flow, improving collaboration between the supply chain partners, and enhancing customer satisfaction. In this chapter, we first discuss the components of a financial flow and how they can be improved. Then, we examine the various options available for automating the financial flow in a supply chain. Finally, we discuss the ways by which an integration of material and financial flows can be achieved.

COMPONENTS OF FINANCIAL FLOW IN A SUPPLY CHAIN

There are two key components that constitute the financial flow in a supply chain, viz., purchase-to-pay process and order-to-cash process. Purchase-to-pay process consists of financial transactions with the suppliers and order-to-cash process consists of financial transactions with the customers. Efficient management of cash flow in these two processes can improve the profitability of the supply chain. This involves faster collection of the accounts receivables and efficient management of accounts payable.

In this section, we discuss both the processes in detail and the ways to speed them up in order to achieve cost savings and profitability.

Purchase-to-Pay Process (PTP)

Purchase-to-pay process starts with the buyer making the requisition and ends with the payment to the supplier. The buyer makes a purchase requisition and it is passed on to the purchasing department for approval. After getting the approval of the purchasing manager, a purchase order is sent to the supplier. On receiving the purchase order the supplier dispatches the shipment along with the invoice. On receiving the goods, the firm checks the shipment and the invoice to confirm whether the shipment matches the purchase order arid the product quality and quantity is as desired. Upon confirmation, the accounts department pays the supplier. Figure 4.2 describes the purchase-to-pay process.

Figure 4.2: Purchase-To-Pay-Process

Some of the measures to improve efficiency of purchasing transactions are discussed below.

Focus on reducing processing time and costs

There are various ways of reducing processing time and costs in order to expedite the purchasing process. Firms should allow the buyers (an employee who is involved in purchase activities) to order goods, up to a certain permissible limit, without approval. This reduces the time and costs involved in routing and approving the purchase orders. In cases where the purchase requisitions are approved before the order is placed with the supplier, the approval again at the time of payment to the supplier should be eliminated to reduce the delay in the purchasing process.

Use of Evaluated Receipt Settlement (ERS). In ERS, the buyer makes the payment as and when he receives the goods, thus eliminating the need for an invoice. On receipt of the goods, the buyer compares the packing slip and the goods with the purchase order, and the amount is calculated based on the price quoted in the purchase order. Then, the payment is made to the supplier. Thus, the firm pays the supplier for what it receives, and this reduces the time and costs in matching the invoices and the errors that occur due to repeated data entry.

Use of electronic invoicing. Electronic invoicing (EDI, Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment etc.) can reduce paperwork and processing costs. This can reduce the errors and disputes that arise due to manual processing.

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Performance management

A proper performance management process needs to be established to effectively measure the FTP process. This can provide some inputs to make the PTP process more efficient. There are two types of performance metrics in the PTP process: top down performance metrics, which measure the overall performance of the PTP process, and bottom up performance metrics, which measure individual or team performance. Top down metrics include percentage of payments made using checks and electronic payments, processing costs incurred, purchase order error rates etc. Bottom up metrics include time taken for processing each payment voucher, processing cost per invoice etc.

The metrics need to be aligned with the goals set by the firm. The metrics are measured against the goals set to analyze the extent to which goals have been achieved. The goals need to be based on industry benchmarks.

Automation of PTP process

A firm can enhance the efficiency of the PTP process by automating it. Firms can implement an E-procurement system and streamline the purchasing process. But an E-procurement application can only improve the physical process of purchasing and not the financial processes. Many ERP systems contain various modules of PTP process that may help in the automation of financial components. Another application that aid the automation of financial processes is Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP) systems. EIPP systems enable the suppliers and buyers to exchange invoices, resolve disputes, and make payments electronically. Thus, these systems enable collaboration between supply chain partners. EIPP systems need to be integrated with the internal systems like procurement, ERP and accounts payable for effective functioning.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing some of the components of the PTP process to a third party is an option that a firm can consider, to enhance the effectiveness of the PTP process. A firm has to identify the functions that can be outsourced so that cost savings or faster processing can be achieved. Many financial institutions offer cash management services like receiving invoices, check printing, dispute handling, reporting & analysis, managing international payments, electronic funds transfer, supplier management etc. In some cases the entire FTP process is outsourced. The benefits from outsourcing include reduction in processing costs. Outsourcing provides the firm flexibility and the ability to scale up the operations as and when needed. By outsourcing time consuming and routine activities, a firm can focus more on strategic functions and the personnel can be used for productive purposes. The risks involved in FTP operations can be reduced by sharing the operations with a third party.

Order-to-Cash Process

Order-to-cash process starts with the customer placing the order and ends with receiving the payment from the customer. The steps involved in the order-to-cash process are explained below.

The order is placed by the customer directly through phone, fax, or the Internet. Then, the inventory is checked for the availability of the product in the quantity required by the customer. The firm then checks the customer credit status to decide whether or not to extend credit to the customer. For this, the customer's credit limit and the status of receivables from the customer are checked. If the customer has placed the order within the credit limits and has nil or permissible receivables, then the product can be delivered to the customer. If not, the firm has to evaluate whether to fulfill the order or to reject it or put it on hold. If it is a new customer, the firm has to establish a new credit line for the customer. If the customer is an existing one and has high credit risk, then the order may be rejected. If the order is placed by an existing customer having low credit risk, then the order may be put on hold for farther analysis.

After delivering the goods, the customer is billed and the invoice is sent to the customer. The disputes that are raised by the customer are then examined and resolved. Finally, the collection of the payment is done either at the convenience of the customer or as per rules and norms set by the firm.

Figure 4.2 describes the order-to-cash process.

By expediting the order-to-cash process, cash flows can be improved. Some of the steps that can be carried out to expedite the order-to -cash process are as follows:

Review of processes and procedures Identifying the processes fit for automation Developing appropriate performance metrics Designing an effective reporting system

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Review of processes and procedures

B2B firms generally provide goods on credit to the customers. In most of the cases, credit is interest free and the firm has to bear the credit costs. Firms, therefore, have to carefully evaluate and set guidelines for providing credit to the customers. Firms may have to provide credit on liberal terms. Yet, at the same time, they have to make sure that the bad debts generated on account of those liberal policies are kept under control. While developing the credit policy and procedures, several factors have to be considered. Credit policy needs to take into account the industry within which the firm is operating and its size. Big retailers wield more power, thus forcing the suppliers to make their policies towards such firms liberal. The firm should also consider customer preferences and requirements. It has to evaluate its competitive environment and develop a credit policy that differentiates it from its competitors. It also needs to develop credit risk analysis guidelines, which enable it to evaluate a customer while providing the credit.

There are four key types of credit policies which a firm can adopt. The first type of credit policy puts high credit risk limits and stringent measures of collection. In such a policy, the firm only accepts those customers who have a good credit history and high credit ratings. At the same time, the firm may also have strict collection policies such as imposing penalties and fines, for late payments. Such a policy enables the firm to obtain payments faster and reduces the risk of high bad debt. But such a policy is not customer friendly. The second type of policy is to be liberal in providing credit but strict in collecting dues. In such a policy, the firm accepts customers with even low credit ratings but the collection will be strict and no kind of lenience towards the customers is allowed in the collection policy. Such a policy is customer friendly but it increases the collection costs and the risk of bad debts. The third kind of credit policy allows only customers with high credit ratings, but has liberal collection policies. In such a policy, only customers who have high credit ratings and 'good track record are allowed. But the collections are made liberally. The idea behind such a policy is that a customer with a good track record will pay the dues promptly; therefore, making the collection process liberal will not have any impact on the receivables. But such a policy is not advisable for firms which handle large orders. The fourth kind of credit policy allows customers with low credit ratings and a liberal collection policy. Such a policy may increase the risk of bad debts and the collection process may take a long time and become tedious. Such a policy is advisable when the firm wants to increase its market share. The firm has to choose an optimal credit policy, which while being customer friendly, should not impact the collection and quality of the receivables.

Automating receivables management

Another important step in enhancing the efficiency of receivables management is the automation of a part, or whole of the process. By automating receivables management a firm can track and monitor the receivables and evaluate as to how the receivables process can be improved. Automation helps in faster and more accurate risk assessment of customers. Firms can easily distinguish between the customers with low credit profiles and customers with high credit profiles. This enables the firm to decide upon the customers to whom credit can safely be extended. Activities like payments and credit analysis can be automated, to reduce time and costs and to improve the receivables collection and management.

Developing relevant performance metrics

Developing relevant performance metrics helps the firm assess the effectiveness of the receivables management process. It can also help the firm identify opportunities to improve the process. Performance measures are needed for all the elements of order-to-cash process, and should be developed in line with organizational objectives. They should also be based on industry standards. By matching the measures to the industry standards, a firm can analyze its position in relation to its competitors, and take necessary action to improve upon those measures. Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) is the key measure that is generally used to evaluate the order-to-cash process. But there are other metrics, related to each step in the order-to-cash process, that can be measured for better performance analysis. They are;

Percentage of invoice errors Percentage of bad debts Average time taken for credit approval Percentage of orders executed perfectly Percentage of cash collected within the stipulated credit terms Percentage of invoices issued manually Percentage of invoices issued electronically

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Developing an effective reporting system

Information needs to be shared between different departments for efficient receivables management. Proper information sharing enables the departments to have accurate and up to date information, which in turn helps them to take timely action. For example, suppose a customer holds back payment due to quality or quantity issues. This information is first received by the accounts receivables department. If this information is communicated to the manufacturing department then it can take timely action to improve the quality of the products. This would help the firm collect receivables and also resolve customer grievances faster. This information needs to be shared with the other supply chain partners like logistics service providers and financial institutions as well. As customers expect timely and accurate order delivery, any deviations can delay the payment process. Supply chain partners help in providing the right product to the right customer at the right time. An effective reporting system would help provide accurate information to the supply chain partners, so that the right order can be delivered to the customer, on time.

AUTOMATING FINANCIAL FLOW IN A SUPPLY CHAIN

One of the key elements which helps in efficient financial flow in a supply chain is the use of IT solutions in the purchase-to-pay and order-to-cash processes. By automating these processes firms can minimize inefficiencies and improve the effectiveness of the supply chain. Some of the prominent IT solutions that are used in automating the financial flow are:

Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP) solutions Electronic trade financing systems Credit information and management systems.

Assigning ratings to the customers. By providing the required credit rules to these systems, a firm can obtain the ratings of its customers as per the predefined credit rules. This would help the firm to distinguish between the customers who need to be focused upon and the customers who need to be ignored.

Helps sales representatives during the sales process. By entering the customer data into these systems, these systems provide instant credit analysis information about the customers, such as credit limit and credit terms. This helps the sales representatives in taking faster decisions at the point of sale, to sell higher range products to the customers to provide liberal credit terms to the customers with high credit limits and good credit history. Sales representatives can also decide upon the pricing of the product based on the credit risk. A firm can charge a higher price to the customers with high credit risk and a lower price to customers with low credit risk. This helps the firm to improve its revenue as well as to reduce its credit risks.

Improved customer satisfaction. Faster credit processing enables the firm to process orders without much delay thus increasing customer satisfaction. This may help in developing a long term relationship with the customers.

Three prominent firms Dun & Bradstreet, Coface and Equifax provide such applications. With the emergence of the Internet, these firms have begun to provide these services on the worldwide web.

INTEGRATING MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL FLOWS IN A SUPPLY CHAIN

Firms in the past have mainly focused on improving the material flow in a supply chain using various innovative methods like cross docking, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) etc. Firms have also used IT solutions to automate the material flow. Today, they have also begun to focus on improving the financial flow in the supply chain. Many firms have adopted best practices of cash flow management to improve the financial flow. Many firms have automated the same or all of the elements of the financial flow in a supply chain through implementing ERP systems and cash flow management solutions. However, most firms have not focused much on integrating the material and the financial flow in a supply chain. By integrating material and financial flows, firms can remove the inefficiencies in the supply chain. Integration of these two flows can be done in three different ways.

Linking of functional systems with financial systems. For example, by linking the procurement system with the accounts payable system or the ERP system, the physical order information can be matched with the financial information, thus reducing the errors arising due to improper information flow between the two systems. This linking can also be extended to the supply chain partners thus enabling the physical order information flow to closely match with the payment information flow. This enables increased collaboration between supply chain partners.

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Linking supply chain partner's or customer's preferences and behavior with the financial elements. Firms can track and analyze the behavior of supply chain partners and customers. Based upon the needs and requirements, firms can provide financial options to the customers and supply chain partners. Suppose, a firm orders a large consignment from a supplier. Then, the firm can provide the option of paying the amount through traditional means like checks or through electronic means. The supplier can decide upon the payment option. If the supplier wants a faster payment, he may opt for the electronic payment means.

Linking financial and physical flows based on business intelligence. Firms can set the pricing of the product and payment options based on the customer's requirements and the existing market conditions. This may help the firm in maximizing its revenue. This policy is well utilized by airline companies where flight ticket prices are changed depending on supply and demand conditions.

In order to align financial and physical supply chains, firms need to reengineer the physical flow processes so as to integrate them with the financial processes. Automation of financial processes is an area in which firms have to focus. Integrating the financial flow with the material flow provides many benefits to the members of the supply chain. Members can obtain the products as per their requirement and pay the supplier using a suitable payment mode. With such integration, members share a common and full view of all their transactions, increasing efficiency in the supply chain. Specific benefits for the members of the supply chain are:

Suppliers can make accurate forecasts about working capital requirements and also product demand. Thus inventory levels and working capital can be reduced as they have a better view about the situation. They can resolve disputes easily as both the supplier and the customer share the same information about the transaction Payment processing can become faster. The processing costs due to personnel and paperwork are reduced. Errors are minimized, thus helping the supplier to obtain correct payment.

Buyers can benefit from perfect order delivery. This helps the buyer to forecast and plan effectively. Thus the buyer can reduce working capital requirements to deal with the payables. With the automation of the processes, buyers can reduce the time and costs in processing the invoices like routing for approval, matching the invoices and payments.

Trade terms can be negotiated more effectively between the buyer and the supplier because of the availability of precise information about a transaction. Buyers and suppliers have an accurate view about the risk involved. Hence, the buyer and the seller can negotiate financing options like insurance, supplier credit etc., more optimally.

COST CENTRE, COST UNIT, PROFIT CENTRE AND

INVESTMENT CENTRE

Cost Centre

It is a location, person or item of equipment in respect of which costs may be ascertained and related to cost units for control purpose. Broadly speaking, a cost centre may be of two types: Personal cost centre which consists of a person or group of persons; and Impersonal cost centre which consists of a location or item of equipment (or group of these). From the standpoint of functions, a cost centre may be of two types: Production cost centre, i.e., a cost centre in which production is carried on (this may embrace one specific operation, e.g., machining, or a continuous process, e.g., distillation), and Service cost centre, i.e., a cost centre which renders services to the production cost centres.

When the output of an organization is a service rather than goods, it is usual to use some alternative term such as support cost centre or utility cost centre for supporting services,1 If machine and/or persons carrying out similar operations are brought together, a cost centre is known as operation cost centre. Again, when machines and/or persons are grouped according to a specific process or a continuous sequence of operations, a cost centre is termed as process cost centre.

Division of production, administration, selling and distribution and other functions into cost centres is necessary for two purposes; (i) cost ascertainment, and (ii) cost control. Costs are ascertained by cost centres or cost units or by both. For example, direct costs can be identified with the cost centres or cost units easily. Indirect costs are allocated to the cost centres based on volume (e.g., direct labour hours, machine hours, etc.) or activity (e.g., number of set-ups, inspections, material movements, etc.). Similarly, cost control is facilitated by pinpointing responsibility through cost centres. In other words, different persons are allotted different cost centres and a person is held responsible for the control of cost of the cost centre or centres running under him only. It is in this sense that cost centres are also termed as responsibility centres.

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The type, size and number of cost centres in an undertaking will depend upon the nature and size of the business, attitude of the management towards cost ascertainment and cost control, and so on. However, it should be noted that too many cost centres tend to be expensive while too few cost centres tend to defeat the very purpose of accurate cost ascertainment and cost control.

Cost Unit

It is a quantitative unit of product or service in relation to which costs are ascertained. For ascertainment of costs, it is necessary to express them in terms of physical measurement like number, weight, volume, area, length or any other convenient unit. When single type unit does not serve the desired purpose, composite units may be used for the purpose of cost measurement. For example, in transport costing, ton-miles or passenger-miles are better measures than only tons or passengers as the latter do not take into account distance carried or distance travelled. A few examples of cost units applicable to different industries are given below.

Name of industry Cost units used

Furniture, ship building, automobile, etc. Number

Printing Job

Mines and quarries Ton

Chemicals Litres, gallons, kg, etc.

Steel and cement Ton

Motor transport Ton-miles, passenger-miles

Canteen Meals, persons served

Boiler-house Thousand kg of steam

Electricity kW h

Soap kg, litres

Bricks Thousand

Coal mining Tonne

Gas Cubic foot

Confectionery kg

Paper Ream

Timber 100 ft.

Illustration 4.1 Specify the methods of costing and cost units applicable to the following industries:

(i) Toy-making (ii) Cement (iii) Radio (iv) Bicycle (v) Ship-building (vi) Hospital Industry Method of costing Cost units

(i) Toy-making Batch Per batch

(ii) Cement Unit Per tonne or per bag

(iii) Radio Multiple Per radio or per batch

(iv) Bicycle Multiple Per bicycle

(v) Ship-building Contract Per ship

(vi) Hospital Service Per bed per day or per

patient per day.

Profit Centre

Profit is the difference between revenues and costs. Therefore, a profit centre represents segment of a business that is responsible for both revenues and costs. This may also be called a business centre, business unit, or strategic business unit, depending upon the concept of management responsibility prevailing in the entity concerned.

Investment Centre49

An investment centre is a responsibility centre that is accountable for revenues, costs and investments. It is defined as "a profit centre in which inputs are measured in terms of expenses and outputs are measured in terms of revenues, and in which assets employed are also measured, the excess of revenue over expenditure then being related to assets employed."

Thus, the relationship between cost, profit and investment centres may be stated as follows:

Cost Centre—formal reporting of costs only;

Profit Centre—formal reporting of revenues and costs; and

Investment Centre—formal reporting of revenues, costs, and investment

MATERIAL CONTROLMaterial constitutes a substantial portion of the production cost in many industries. Sometimes, it may be the major item of all the items constituting total cost. Therefore, it is natural that large amounts will be invested in it. But there should be optimum level of investment for any asset, whether it is a plant, cash or inventories. Inadequate inventories will disrupt production and result in loss of safes. All this calls for an effective material control programme. The main objectives of material control will, therefore, be:

1. To ensure that material is available:

(a) for use in production and production services, as and when required;(b) for delivery to customers to fulfil orders for supplies from purchasers, if any.

2. To minimize investment in inventories.

ORGANIZATION

In order to exercise effective control on material, there should be proper co-operation and co-ordination in the following departments:

1. Purchase2. Receiving and Inspection3. Stores4. Production5. Stock Control6. Sales7. Accounts

For instance, the Sales Manager will intimate as to the number or quantity of finished goods to be kept in hand so that no customer is ever turned away or forced to wait because of lack of stock. Similarly, the Accountant or the financial manager should ensure that only optimum stock of materials is kept in stock so that additional funds may be channelled into more profitable investment.

INSTALLATION OF THE SYSTEM

The various steps involved in introducing a material control system can be broadly grouped under two heads mentioned below:

Primary steps, and Operational steps.

Primary Steps

These will include the following:

1. Classification and codification of material and fixation of stock levels in respect of each item of stock.

Materials may be classified into:

(a) Raw materials

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(b) Work-in-progress(c) Component parts(i) Manufactured (ii) Purchased

(d) Consumable stores, etc.

Again, the above materials may be further classified into:

(a) fast-moving items, and(b) slow-moving items.

After making the classification in the above line, the following stock levels in terms of quantities are to be fixed in respect of each type of material:

(a) Maximum stock level,(b) Minimum stock level,(c) Re-order stock level, and Order size.

We have discussed these aspects earlier in detail.

2. Consulting and advising engineer about current and proposed product design, programmes of production, schedules of materials, tools and jigs, packaging, etc. to achieve desired quality specifications. Standardization and simplification of material are to be done after giving due importance to substitution, if necessary.

3. Establishing material budget to accomplish the objectives.

4. Training of workmen and staff responsible for material control.

Operational Steps

After the primary steps are taken, it is necessary to ensure: 1. Control over:

(a) Purchasing(b) Receiving and Inspection(c) Storing and Issues

We have discussed earlier the role of EOQ and various stock levels under conditions of certainty and uncertainty in controlling costs of inventory. We now discuss the other aspects of purchasing. Control over purchasing means that the Purchase Requisition and the Purchase Order should be in writing in prescribed forms and shall be duly authorized by the executive concerned. Further, the quality of materials should be according to specification or design and price should relate to quality and market condition. In short, it should ensure materials of right quality and quantity at the right price from the right source and at the right time.

Control over receiving and inspection means that:

(a) Materials received are checked with the Delivery Note and copy of Purchase Order.(b) Quantity as revealed by physical verification agrees with that shown in the Delivery Note, and(c) Quality is as per specification mentioned in the Purchase Order.

On the other hand, control on storing and issues will include the following:

(a) To ensure that the goods received are in accordance with the instruction detailed in the Purchase Order and Goods Received Note.

(b) To ensure that the material received are placed in appropriate bins, racks, etc. and quantities are entered in the respective Bin Cards to facilitate easy location and perpetual record of stores received.

(c) Material to be issued only against properly authorized requisitions and appropriate Bin Card should be credited with the quantity issued.

(d) Material returned from shops should be checked with properly authorized Shop Credit Note and appropriate Bin Card to be debited with the quantity received.

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(e) Checking the Bin Card balance with that shown by Stores Ledger and physical verification.

2. Proper implementation of the Perpetual Inventory System. The perpetual inventory system is an aid to material control. It represents a system of records which reflects the physical movement of stocks and their current balance.

3. Selective control through ABC Analysis.

4. Establishment of standards for materials and analysis of material variance according to their originating causes. Standards for materials should be fixed after considering factors like specification, size, quality of materials, effect on labour cost, tools, machines, etc. A standard for scrap, waste, spoilage, etc. should also be laid down for all major materials used in production. Detailed analysis in respect of minor materials may not be feasible and in such a case a monetary limit on consumption may be laid down.

Material consumed should be properly recorded and compared with standards fixed in order to develop material variances, viz.,

(a) Price Variance(b) Usage Variance(c) Yield Variance(d) Mix Variance(e) Scrap, Spoilage and Wastage Variance

The analysis of variance will pin down responsibilities so that proper action can be taken where necessary.

5. Comparison of material costs of different periods with the help of different ratios. The selection of proper ratios will depend upon their suitability to the requirements for control purposes. However, as a general guide, the following may be mentioned:

(i) Cost of materials to Production Cost;(ii) Value of materials scrapped to Production Cost;(iii) Cost of materials to Average Stock of Materials;(iv) Stock of materials to Working Capital;(v) Stock of materials to Current Assets;(vi) Raw Materials and Stores to total Inventories;(vii) Profit to material cost, elc.

JUST-IN-TIME (JIT) PURCHASING

JIT purchasing is considered to be one of the modern techniques used for management of costs associated with inventories. JIT purchasing is the purchase of materials or goods such that delivery immediately precedes use or demand. In an extreme case, no inventories (raw materials, work-in-progress or finished goods in case of a manufacturing firm; goods for resale for a retailer) are held.

Very often it is difficult to estimate the relevant inventory carrying costs probably because the accounting system does not routinely collect such costs. It is easy to overlook some spoilage, obsolescence, warehousing, tax, insurance, and opportunity cost of capital. When management estimates these costs correctly, carrying costs of inventories become higher than expected and consequently, EOQ declines and JIT becomes more attractive.

The success of JIT purchasing depends on costs of quality and timely deliveries. Defective materials and late deliveries may disrupt the operation. So companies adopting JIT purchasing must select their suppliers very carefully and pay attention to developing long-run relationship with them. It should be emphasized that in the evaluation of suppliers, price is only one of the components.

The advantages of JIT purchasing are as follows:

1. JIT reduces the inventory carrying costs, e.g., costs of spoilage and obsolescence, materials handling and breakage, warehousing, tax, insurance and opportunity cost of capital.

2. Due to frequent purchase of materials or goods, the issue price is likely to be closer to the replacement price. This facilitates pricing decision.

3. It helps to develop a long-run relationship with the suppliers. This will reduce the cost of quality and

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stock-out costs.

4. In retail business using JIT purchasing, purchasing is now attempted to extend daily deliveries to as many items as possible, so that the goods are stored in the warehouse or on store shelves for a minimum period before they are sold to the customers. As for example, milk and breads are supplied daily to the retailers. As a result, customers get better quality products.

JIT purchasing, however, may result in stock-out costs, i.e., cost of not having materials or goods. Examples of such costs are loss of contribution, loss of goodwill, loss of customers, etc.

STOCK TURNOVER

It has been stated earlier that to minimize the amount of investment, raw materials stocks may be classified

(a) fast-moving items, and(b) slow-moving items.

The Stock Turnover Ratio will facilitate such a classification and it will act as a tool for exercising control on raw material inventories.

The turnover ratio8 should normally be 2. A low ratio indicates bad buying, accumulation of obsolete stock, carrying of loo much stock, etc. On the other hand, a high ratio is an indicator of fast-moving stock and, therefore, speaks of better inventory management.

Illustration 4.2 The following information is available from the books of a company for 2005:

Material Material A B Rs. Rs.Opening Stock 1,400 2,000Purchases 23,000 3,600Closing Stock 1,000 2,400

Calculate the material turnover ratio of the above types of materials and determine which of the two materials is more fast-moving.

Material A Rs. Material B Rs.Materials Consumed: Opening Stock 1,400 2,000Add: Purchases 23,000 3,600 24,400 5,600Less: Closing Stock 1,000 2,400 23,400 3,200Average Stock: Opening Stock 1,400 2,000Closing Stock 1,000 2,400 2,400 ÷ 2 4,400 ÷ 2 = 1,200 = 2,200Materials Turnover Ratio:

= 19.5 times p. a. = 1.5 times p.a.Average stock holding period

= 0.6 onth = 8 months

Or in 19

days

Or = 243 days

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A stock turnover of 19.5 times p.a. shows that an average stock is being held for less than one month (i.e., 19 days). On the other hand, a stock turnover of 1.5 times p.a. shows that an average stock is being held for 8 months (or for 243 days). Therefore, material B is very slow-moving material while material A is very fast-moving.

An alternative method of measuring stock turnover is one involving the use of maximum and minimum stock levels. This is measured as follows:

However, the formula that uses re-order or economic order quantity is considered a more refined method of measuring stock turnover. The formula is:

Illustration 4.3 The bin card for Material M 27 shows the following position:

Maximum stock level 1,400 units

Minimum stock level 750 units

Re-order quantity (EOQ) 300 units Issues during the year 5,400 units

Stock turnover 5,400 750 + (300) times per annum.

In examination, the method to be used depends on the availability of information. Information permitting, the students may use the last-mentioned formula which uses the economic order quantity. On the other hand, if stock control system involving stock levels is not in operation, one has to depend on the first-mentioned formula.

PERPETUAL INVENTORY

It represents a system of records maintained by the controlling department, which reflects the physical movement of stocks and their current balance. Under this method, stores balances are recorded after every receipt and issue.

A perpetual inventory is usually checked by a programme of continuous stock-taking. But the two terms 'perpetual inventory' and 'continuous stock-taking' should not be considered synonymous. Perpetual inventory means the system of records, whereas continuous stock-taking means the physical checking of those records with actual stocks.

The perpetual inventory system is intended as an aid to material control. In other words, when the records are maintained up-to-date, the balance shown by the Bin Card or Stores Ledger should agree with ground or physical balance. When there are discrepancies, proper investigation will have to be made and a report will have to be submitted (see Fig. 3.27). If the physical balance is greater than the balance shown by the Bin Card or Stores Ledger, a Debit Note is to be prepared and stock records adjusted accordingly. Similarly, in case of shortage of stock, a Credit Note is to be prepared. (The treatment of surplus or deficiency of stock in accounts has already been explained elsewhere in accordance with originating causes.)

The operation of the perpetual inventory system is outlined below:

1. The stock-taking programme is divided into a number of functions such as counting, weighing, measuring, listing, etc., and work is distributed to different members of the team.

2. Different sections of the Store are taken up by rotation. For this purpose, a list showing priority of sections or stock items or both are prepared. Advance notice is given to storekeeping staff concerned whenever a particular stock item is verified each day.

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3. Stores received but awaiting inspection is not mixed up with regular stores at the time of verification.

4. The physical stock, after counting, weighing or measuring, as the case may be, is properly recorded. Any one of the following documents may be used for this purpose:

(i) Bin Card: The balance as per physical verification together with date of verification is entered usually in different ink (preferably red) in the line below the last entry in the balance column.

(ii) Inventory Tag (see Fig. 3.26): It consists of two portions. The top portion is fastened to bins to indicate that the item has been verified. Any bin not having an inventory tag would indicate that the item is yet to be verified. The lower portions of inventory tags are torn off and collected together to constitute inventory records. The lower portions are detached at the end of counting and checking of inventory.

Inventory Tag

(iii) Stock Verification Sheets : Separate sheets may be maintained to record the results of stock verification. When this method of recording is followed, the sheets are maintained date-wise so as to indicate a chronological list of items verified. The balance as per bin card is also entered in it by the stock verifier for comparison.

The advantages of the Perpetual Inventory system may be summarized as follows:

1. A detailed and more reliable check on the stores is possible.2. Like periodic inventory, it does not hamper production.3. Since stock figures are available quickly, it facilitates preparation of interim Profit and Loss Accounts and

Balance Sheets.4. It obviates the need for the physical stock-taking at the end of the period.5. Discrepancies, malpractices, etc. will be quickly discovered, so that appropriate steps are taken to prevent

their recurrence in future.6. It ensures that adequate stocks are maintained within the prescribed limits. This is possible by comparing

actual stock with the authorized maximum, minimum and re-order levels.

The physical balance and issues and receipts during stock verification are recorded in it.

7. As a result of (6) above, the investment in stock cannot exceed the amount arranged for. Thus, it avoids the disadvantage of carrying excessive stocks.

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Figure Stores Audit Note

The usual reasons for discrepancy are breakage, pilferage, evaporation, breaking bulk, absorption of moisture, short or overissue, etc. Sometimes, discrepancy may arise due to clerical errors, viz. wrong posting or non-posting of entries. In case of clerical errors, corrections are made without any difficulty.

PERIODIC INVENTORY

This refers to a system where stock-taking is usually done periodically, say once or twice in a year. In case of materials of small value, the periodic inventory system is adopted for determining the physical movement of stock and its closing balance as on a particular date. Thus, companies even adopting ABC Analysis and Perpetual Inventory System for some of stock items, may follow periodic inventory system for others. Again, when the Perpetual Inventory System becomes very costly (say, for slow-moving items of low value), periodic inventory is the only alternative. But the oft-quoted disadvantages of the system are;

1. In the absence of a continuous check, there is possibility of greater fraud, discrepancy, etc.

2. The discrepancy, fraud, if any, are revealed only after stock-counting at the end of a certain period and, therefore, there is little scope for taking preventive action.

3. Stock-taking will take a considerable time and this may affect production and other important work. Interim Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance Sheets cannot also be prepared for want of stock figures.

INTRODUCTION

Inventory Management involves the control of assets being produced for the purposes of sale in the normal course of the company's operations. Inventories include raw material inventory, work-in process inventory and finished goods inventory. The goal of effective inventory management is to minimize the total costs - direct and indirect - that are associated with holding inventories. However, the importance of inventory management to the company depends upon the extent of investment in inventory. It is industry-specific.

Role of Inventory In Working Capital

Inventories are a component of the firm's working capital and, as such, represent a current asset. Some characteristics that are important in the broad context of working capital management, include:

1. Current Asset: It is assumed that inventories will be converted to cash in the current accounting cycle, which is normally, one year. In some cases, this is not entirely true, for example, a vintner may require that the wine be aged in casks or bottles for many years. Or, a manufacturer of fine pianos may have a production process that exceeds one year. In spite of these and similar problems, we will view all inventories as being convertible into cash in a single year.

2. Level of Liquidity: Inventories are viewed as a source of near cash. For most products, this description is accurate. At the same time, most firms hold some slow-moving items that may not be sold for a long time. With economic slowdowns or changes in the market for goods, the prospects for sale of entire product lines may be diminished. In these cases, the liquidity aspects of inventories become highly important to the manager of working capital. At a minimum, the analyst must recognize that inventories are the least liquid of current assets. For firms with highly uncertain operating environments, the analyst must discount the liquidity value of inventories significantly.

3. Liquidity Lags: Inventories are tied to the firm's pool of working capital in a process that involves three specific lags, namely:

a. Creation Lag: In most cases, inventories are purchased on credit, creating an account payable. When the raw materials are processed in the factory, the cash to pay production expenses is transferred at future times, perhaps a week, month, or more. Labor is paid on payday. The utility that provided the electricity for manufacturing is paid after it submits its bill. Or for goods purchased for resale, the firm may have 30 or more days to hold the goods before payment is due. Whether manufactured or purchased, the firm will hold inventories for a certain time period before payment is made. This liquidity lag offers a benefit to the firm

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b. Storage Lag: Once goods are available for resale, they will not be immediately converted into cash.

First, the item must be sold. Even when sales are moving briskly, a firm will hold inventory as a back-

up. Thus, the firm will usually pay suppliers, workers, and overhead expenses before the goods are

actually sold. This lag represents a cost to the firm.

c. Sale Lag: Once goods have been sold, they normally do not create cash immediately. Most sales

occur on credit and become accounts receivable. The firm must wait to collect its receivables.

This lag also represents a cost to the firm.

4. Circulating Activity: Inventories are in a rotating pattern with other current assets. They get converted into

receivables which generate cash and invested again in inventory to continue the operating cycle.

PURPOSE OF INVENTORIES

The purpose of holding inventories is to allow the firm to separate the processes of purchasing, manufacturing,

and marketing of its primary products. The goal is to achieve efficiencies in areas where costs are involved and

to achieve sales at competitive prices in the market place. Within this broad statement of purpose, we can

identify specific benefits that accrue from holding inventories.

1. Avoiding Lost Sales: Without goods on hand which are ready to be sold, most firms would lose business.

Some customers are willing to wait, particularly when an item must be made to order or is not widely

available from competitors. In most cases, however, a firm must be prepared to deliver goods on demand.

Shelf stock refers to items that are stored by the firm and sold with little or no modification to customers. An

automobile is an item of shelf stock. Even though customers may specify minor variations, the basic item

leaves a factory and is sold as a standard item. The same situation exists for many items of heavy

machinery, consumer products, and light industrial goods.

2. Gaining Quantity Discounts: In return for making bulk purchases, many suppliers will reduce the price

of supplies and component parts. The willingness to place large orders may allow the firm to achieve

discounts on regular prices. These discounts will reduce the cost of goods sold and increase the profits

earned on a sale.

3. Reducing Order Costs: Each time a firm places an order, it incurs certain expenses. Forms have to be

completed, approvals have to be obtained, and goods that arrive must be accepted, inspected, and

counted. Later, an invoice must be processed and payment made, Each of these costs will vary with the

number of orders placed. By placing fewer orders, the firm will pay less to process each order.

4. Achieving Efficient Production Runs: Each time a firm sets up workers and machines to produce an

item, startup costs are incurred. These are then absorbed as production begins. The longer the run, the

smaller the costs to begin production of the goods. As an example, suppose it costs Rs. 12,000 to move

machinery and begin an assembly line to produce electronic printers. If 1,200 printers are produced in a

single three-day run, the cost of absorbing the startup expenses is Rs.10 per unit (12,000/1,200). If the run

could be doubled to 2,400 units, the absorption cost would drop to Rs.5 per unit (12,000/2,400). Frequent

setups produce high startup costs; longer runs involve lower costs.

These benefits arise because inventories provide a "buffer" between purchasing, producing, and marketing

goods. Raw materials and other inventory items can be purchased at appropriate times and in proper amounts

to take advantage of economic conditions and price incentives. The manufacturing process can occur in

sufficiently long production runs and with pre-planned schedules to achieve efficiency and economies. The

sales force can respond to customer needs and demands based on existing finished products. To allow each

area to function effectively, inventory separates the three functional areas and facilitates the interaction among

them.

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This role of inventory is diagrammed in Figure

Figure 4.3

5. Reducing Risk of Production Shortages: Manufacturing firms frequently produce goods with hundreds or even thousands of components. If any of these are missing, the entire production operation can be halted, with consequent heavy expenses. To avoid starting a production run and then discovering the shortage of a vital raw material or other component, the firm can maintain larger than needed inventories.

TYPES OF INVENTORY

Four kinds of inventories maybe identified:

1. Raw Materials Inventory: This consists of basic materials that have not yet been committed to production in a manufacturing firm. Raw materials that are purchased from firms to be used in the firm's production operations range from iron ore awaiting processing into steel to electronic components to be incorporated into stereo amplifiers. The purpose of maintaining raw material inventory is to uncouple the production function from the purchasing function so that delays in shipment of raw materials do not cause production delays.

2. Stores and Spares: This category includes those products which are accessories to the main products produced for the purpose of sale. Examples of stores and spares items are bolts, nuts, clamps, screws, etc. These spare parts are usually bought from outside or sometimes they are manufactured in the company also.

3. Work-in-Process Inventory: This category includes those materials that have been committed to the production process but have not been completed. The more complex and lengthy the production process, the larger will be the investment in work-in-process inventory.

Its purpose is to uncouple the various operations in the production process so •that machine failures and work stoppages in one operation will not affect the other operations.

4. Finished Goods Inventory: These are completed products awaiting sale. The purpose of a finished goods inventory is to uncouple the productions and sales functions so that it no longer is necessary to produce the goods before a sale can occur.

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Table 4.1 provides the details of the investment in inventories in confectionery industry.

Table 4.1 Investment in Inventories

Types of Inventories Cadbury India Ltd.

Value in Rs. lakh % m total Inventory

Raw Materials 715.01 27.50Packing Materials Work-in-Process

387.70 551.17 14.90

21.17Finished Goods 937.38 36.00Stores and Spare Parts 11.32 0.43Total 2,602.58 100.00

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INVENTORIES

The effective management of inventory involves a trade off between having too little and too much inventory. In achieving this trade off, the Finance Manager should realize that costs may be closely related. To examine inventory from the cost side, five categories of costs can be identified of which three are direct costs that are immediately connected to buying and holding goods and the last two are indirect costs which are losses of revenues that vary with differing inventory management decisions.

The five categories costs of holding inventories are;

Material Costs: These are the costs of purchasing the goods including transportation and handling costs.

Ordering Costs: Any manufacturing organization has to purchase materials. In that event, the ordering costs refer to the costs associated with the preparation of purchase requisition by the user department, preparation of purchase order and follow-up measures taken by the purchase department, transportation of materials ordered for, inspection and handling at the warehouse for storing. At times even demurrage charges for not lifting the goods in time are included as part of ordering costs. Sometimes, some of the components and/or material required for production may have facilities for manufacture internally. If it is found to be more economical to manufacture such items internally, then ordering costs refer to the costs associated with the preparation of requisition forms by the user department, set-up costs to be incurred by the manufacturing department and transport, inspection and handling at the warehouse of the user department. By and large, ordering costs remain more or less constant irrespective of the size of the order although transportation and inspection costs may vary to a certain extent depending upon order size. But this is not going to significantly affect the behavior of ordering costs. As ordering costs are considered invariant to the order size, the total ordering costs can be reduced by increasing the size of the orders, Suppose, the cost per order is Rs.100 and the company uses 1200 units of a material during the year. The size of the order and the total ordering costs to be incurred by the company are given below.

Size of order (units) 100 150 200

Number of orders in a year 12 8 6

Total ordering costs @ Rs. 100 per order

Rs. 1,200 Rs.800 Rs.600

From the above example, it can be easily seen that a company can reduce its total ordering costs by increasing the order size which in turn will reduce the number of orders. However, reduction in ordering costs is usually followed by an increase in carrying costs to be discussed now.

Carrying Costs: These are the expenses of storing goods. Once the goods have been accepted, they become part of the firm's inventories. These costs include insurance, rent/depreciation of warehouse, salaries of storekeeper, his assistants and security personnel, financing cost of money locked-up in inventories, obsolescence, spoilage and taxes. By and large, carrying costs are considered to be a given percentage of the value of inventory held in the warehouse, despite some fixed elements of costs which comprise only a small portion of total carrying costs. Approximately, carrying costs are considered to be around 25 percent of the value of inventory held in storage. The greater the investment in inventory, greater is the carrying costs. In the example considered in the case of ordering costs, let us assume that (he price per unit of material is Rs.40 and that on an average about half-of the inventory will be held in storage. Then, the average values of inventory for sizes of order 100, 150 and 200 along with carrying cost @ 25 percent of the inventory held in storage are given below.

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Size of order (units): 100 150 200

Average value of inventory: Rs.2,000 Rs,3,000 Rs.4,000

Carrying cost @ 25 percent of above:

Rs.500 . Rs.750 Rs. 1,000

From the above calculations, it can be easily seen that as the order size increases, the carrying cost also increasing in a directly proportionate manner.

Cost of Funds Tied up with Inventory: Whenever a firm commits its resources to inventory, it is using funds that otherwise might have been available for other purposes. The firm has lost the use of funds for other profit making purposes. This is its opportunity cost. Whatever the source of funds, inventory has a cost in terms of financial resources. Excess inventory represents unnecessary cost.

Cost of Running out of Goods: These are costs associated with the inability to provide materials to the production department and/or inability to provide finished goods to the marketing department as the requisite inventories are not available. In other words, the requisite items have run out of stock for want of timely replenishment. These costs have both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. These are, in the case of raw materials, the loss of production due to stoppage of work, the uneconomical prices associated with 'cash' purchases and the set-up costs which can be quantified in monetary terms with a reasonable degree of precision, As a consequence of this, the production department may not be able to reach its target in providing finished goods for sale. Its cost has qualitative dimensions as discussed below.

When marketing personnel are unable to honour their commitment to the customers in making finished goods available for sale, the sale may be lost. This can be quantified to a certain extent. However, the erosion of the good customer relations and the consequent damage done to the image and goodwill of the company fall into the qualitative dimension and elude quantification. Even if the stock-out cost cannot be fully quantified, a reasonable measure based on the loss of sales for want of finished goods inventory can be used with the understanding that the amount so measured cannot capture the qualitative aspects.

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT ECHNIQUES

As explained above, while the total ordering costs can be decreased by increasing the size of order, the carrying costs increase with the increase in order size indicating the need for a proper balancing of these two types of costs behaving in opposite directions with changes in order size.

Again, if a company wants to avert stock-out costs it may have to maintain larger inventories of materials and finished goods which will result in higher carrying costs. Here also proper balancing of the costs becomes important.

Thus, the importance of effective inventory management is directly related to the size of the investment in inventory. To manage its inventories effectively, a firm should use a systems approach to inventory management. A systems approach considers in a single model all the factors that affect the inventory,

A system for effective inventory management involves three subsystems namely economic order quantity, reorder point and stock level.

Economic Order Quantity

The economic order quantity (EOQ) refers to the optimal order size that will result in the lowest total of order and carrying costs for an item of inventory given its expected usage, carrying costs and ordering cost. By calculating an economic order quantity, the firm attempts to determine the order size that will minimize the total inventory costs.

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As the lead time (i.e., time required for procurement of material) is assumed to the zero an order for replenishment is made when the inventory level reduces to zero. The level of inventory over time follows the pattern shown in figure 4.4

As the lead time (i.e., time required for procurement of material) is assumed to be zero an order for replenishment is made when the inventory level reduces to zero. The level of inventory over time follows the pattern shown in figure 4.4;

Figure 4.4: Inventory Level and Order Point for Replenishment

From figure 4.4 it can be noticed that the level of inventory will be equal to the order quantity (Q units) to start with. It progressively declines (though in a discrete manner) to level O by the end of period 1. At that point an order for replenishment will be made for Q units. In view of zero lead time, the inventory level jumps to Q and a similar procedure occurs in the subsequent periods. As a result of this the average level of inventory will remain at (Q/2) units, the simple average of the two end points Q and Zero.

From the above discussion the average level of inventory is known to be (Q/2) units.

From the previous discussion, we know that as order quantity (Q) increases, the total ordering costs will decrease while the total carrying costs will increase.

The economic order quantity, denoted by Q*, is that value at which the total cost of both ordering and carrying will be minimized, It should be noted that total costs associated with inventory

where the first expression of the equation represents the total ordering costs and the second expression the total carrying costs. The behavior of ordering costs, carrying costs and total costs for different levels of order Quantity (Q) is depicted in figure 4.5.

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Behavior of costs associated with inventory for changes in order quantity

Figure 4.5From figure, it can be seen that the total cost curve reaches its minimum at the point of intersection between the ordering costs curve and the carrying costs line. The value of Q corresponding to it will be the economic order quantity Q*. We can calculate the EOQ formula.

The order quantity Q becomes EOQ when the total ordering costs at Q is equal to the total carrying costs. Using the notation, it amounts to stating:

To distinguish EOQ from other order quantities, we can say

In the above formula, when 'U' is considered as the annual usage of material, the value of Q* indicates the size of the order to be placed for the material which minimizes the total inventory-related costs. When 'U' is considered as the annual demand Q* denotes the size of production run.

Suppose a firm expects a total demand for its product over the planning period to be 10,000 units, while the ordering cost per order is Rs.100 and the carrying cost per unit is Rs.2. Substituting these values,

Thus if the firm orders in 1,000 unit lot sizes, it will minimize its total inventory costs.

Examination of EOQ Assumptions

The major weaknesses of the EOQ model are associated with several of its assumptions, in spite of which the model tends to yield quite good results. Where its assumptions have been dramatically violated, the EOQ model can generally be easily modified to accommodate the situation. The model's assumptions are as follows:

1. Constant or uniform demand: Although the EOQ model assumes constant demand, demand may vary from day-to-day. If demand is stochastic that is, not known in advance - the model must be modified through the inclusion of a safety stock.

2. Constant unit price: The EOQ formula derived is based on the assumption that the purchase price Rs.P per unit of material will remain unaltered irrespective of the order size. Quite often, bulk purchase discounts or quantity discounts are offered by suppliers to induce customers for buying in larger quantities.

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The inclusion of variable prices resulting from quantity discounts can be handled quite easily through a modification of the original EOQ model, redefining total costs and solving for the optimum order quantity.

3. Constant carrying costs: Unit carrying costs may vary substantially as the size of the inventory rises, perhaps decreasing because of economies of scale or storage efficiency or increasing as storage space runs out and new warehouses have to be rented. This situation can be handled through a modification in the original model similar to the one used for variable unit price.

4. Constant ordering costs: While this assumption is generally valid, its violation can be accommodated by modifying the original EOQ model in a manner similar to the one used for variable unit price.

5. Instantaneous delivery: If delivery is not instantaneous, which is generally the case, the original EOQ model must be modified by including of a safety stock.

6. Independent orders: If multiple orders result in cost savings by reducing paperwork and transportation cost, the original EOQ model must be further modified. While this modification is somewhat complicated, special EOQ models have been developed to deal with this.

These assumptions have been pointed out to illustrate the limitations of the basic EOQ model and the ways in which it can be easily modified to compensate for them. Moreover, an understanding of the limitations and assumptions of the EOQ model will provide the Finance Manager with a strong base for making inventory decisions.

Inflation and EOQ

Inflation affects the EOQ model in two major ways. First, while the EOQ model can be modified to assume constant price increases, many times major price increases occur only once or twice a year and are announced ahead of time. If this is the case, the EOQ model may lose its applicability and may be replaced with anticipatory buying - that is buying in anticipation of a price increase in order to secure the goods at a lower cost. Of course, as with most decisions, there are trade offs associated with anticipatory buying. The costs are the added carrying costs associated with the inventory that you would not normally be holding. The benefits of course, come from buying the inventory at a lower price. The second way inflation affects the EOQ model is through increased carrying costs. As inflation pushes interest rates up, the cost of carrying inventory increases. In the EOQ model this means that C increases, which results in a decline in the optimal economic order quantity.

Determination of Optimum Production Quantity: The EOQ Model can be extended to production runs to determine the optimum production quantity. The two costs involved in this process are: (i) set up cost and (ii) inventory carrying cost. The set-up cost is of the nature of fixed cost and is to be incurred at the time of commencement of each production run. The larger the size of the production run, the lower will be the set-up cost per unit. However, the carrying cost will increase with an increase in the size of the production run. Thus, there is an inverse relationship between the set-up cost and inventory carrying cost. The optimum production size is at that level where the total of the set-up cost and the inventory carrying cost is the minimum. In other words, at this level the two costs will be equal.

The formula for EOQ can also be used for determining the optimum production quantity as given below:

Illustration 4.4

Arvee Industries desires an annual output of 25,000 units. The set-up cost for each production run is Rs.80. The cost of carrying inventory per unit per annum is Rs.4. The optimum production quantity per production run (E) is

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Modified EOQ to include Varying Unit Prices: Bulk purchase discount is offered when the size of the order is at least equal to some minimum quantity specified by the supplier. The question may arise whether Q*, EOQ calculated on the basis of a price without discount will still remain valid even after reckoning with the discount. While no general answer can be given to such a question we can certainly say that a general approach using the EOQ framework will prove useful in decision-making - whether to avail oneself of the discount offered and if so what should be the optimal size of the order.

The procedure for such an approach is outlined below:

The first step under the general approach is to calculate Q*, EOQ without considering the discount. Let us suppose Q' is the minimum order-size stipulated by the supplier for utilizing discount. After calculating Q* the same will be compared to Q'. Only three possibilities can arise out of the comparison.

In case Q* is greater than or equal to Q', then Q* will remain valid even in the changed situation caused by the quantity discount offered. This is so because the company can avail itself of the benefit of quantity discount with an order-size of Q* as it is at least equal to Q', the minimum stipulated order size for utilizing discount.

Only in the case of Q* being less than Q' the need for the calculation of an optimal order size arises as the company cannot avail itself of the discount with the order size of Q*. An incremental analysis can be carried out to consider the financial consequences of availing oneself of discount by increasing the order-size to Q'. A decision to increase the order-size is warranted only when the incremental benefits exceed the incremental costs arising out of the increased order-size.

The incremental benefits will have two components: First, the total amount of discount available on the amount of material is to be used. If we assume Rs. D of discount per unit of material, then the total discount on the annual usage of material of U units amounts to:

Annual usage of materials in units x Discount per unit of material = Rs.UD

Secondly, with an increase in order-size from Q* to Q', the number of orders will be reduced. As the ordering cost is assumed to be Rs.F per order irrespective of the order size, there will be a reduction in the total ordering cost. Thus, the reduction in ordering cost.

= (The difference between the number of orders with sizes of Q* and Q') x (the cost per order of Rs. F)

= Rs.

Thus, the total incremental benefits will be the sum of the above two expressions and is given by

Total incremental benefits = Rs. UD + Rs. {U/Q* - U/Q'}x F

With an increase in the order-size, there is likely to be an increase in the average value of inventory even after reckoning with the discount per unit of material of Rs.D which will go to reduce the price per unit for the valuation of inventory. The increase in the average value of inventory will result in higher incidence of carrying cost, assumed to be C percent of the average value of inventory.

Incremental carrying cost =

The net incremental benefit can be obtained by subtracting the incremental carrying cost from the total incremental benefits. This is given by the expression.

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Net incremental benefits

= Rs. U x D + Rs.

If the net incremental benefits are positive, then the optimal order quantity becomes Q'. Otherwise Q* will continue to remain valid even in a situation of bulk purchase discount. A numerical illustration is given below to illustrate the procedure to be adopted in a situation of bulk purchase discount.

Illustration 4.5

The annual usage of a raw material is 40,000 units for the Hy Fly Co., Ltd. The price of the raw material is Rs,50 per unit. The ordering cost is Rs.200 per order and the carrying cost 20 percent of the average value of inventory. The supplier has recently introduced a discount of 4 percent on the price of material for orders of 1,500 units and above. What was the company's E.O.Q. prior to the introduction of discount? Should the company opt for availing the discount? What would be the optimal order size if the company opts to avail for itself the discount offered?

Let us first arrange the data contained in the problem in accordance with the notation familiar to us by now.

U = 40,000 units

F = Rs.200 per order

P = Rs.50 per unit

D = Rs.2 per unit

C = 0.20

E.O.Q. without discount,

For utilizing discount the minimum order size Q' = 1,500 units. As Q* is less than Q', we have to calculate the incremental benefits and incremental costs.

Total amount of discount available with an order size of 1,500 units.

= U x D = 40,000 units x Rs.2 per unit.

= Rs.80,000 .......(1)

Savings due to reduction in ordering costs

= (32-27) x Rs.200

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= Rs.1,000 ......(2)Incremental carrying cost

= Rs.7,200-Rs.6,325= Rs.875 ......(3)

Net incremental benefits (=1+2-3)

= Rs.80,000 + Rs.1,000 - Rs.875 = Rs.80,125

As the net incremental benefits is a positive sum of Rs.80,125, the company should opt for availing the discount offered. The optimal order-size will be 1,500 units, the minimum order size required for availing of the discount.

From the illustration, it is clear that although EOQ value of 1,265 units (Q*) is not relevant in the present situation of bulk purchase discount, the general framework of the EOQ model has provided the necessary basis for subsequent calculations and the decision reached therefrom.

Reorder Point Subsystem

In the EOQ model discussed we have made the assumption that the lead time for procuring material is zero. Consequently, the reorder point for replenishment of stock occurs when the level of inventory drops down to zero. In view of instantaneous replenishment of stock, the level of inventory jumps to the original level from zero level. In real life situations one never encounters a zero lead time. There is always a time lag from the date of placing an order for material and the date on which materials are received. As a result the reorder level is always at a level higher than zero, and if the firm places the order when the inventory reaches the reorder point, the new goods will arrive before the firm runs out of goods to sell. The decision on how much stock to hold is generally referred to as the order point problem, that is, how low should the inventory be depleted before it is reordered.

The two factors that determine the appropriate order point are the procurement or delivery time stock which is the inventory needed during the lead time (i.e., the difference between the order date and the receipt of the inventory ordered) and the safety stock which is the minimum level of inventory that is held as a protection against shortages.

.', Reorder Point = Normal consumption during lead time + Safety Stock.

Several factors determine how much the delivery time stock and safety stock should be held. In summary, the efficiency of a replenishment system affects amount of much delivery time needed. Since the delivery time stock is the expected inventory usage between ordering and receiving inventory, efficient replenishment of inventory would reduce the need for delivery time stock. And the determination of level of safety stock involves a basic trade-off between the risk of stock-out, resulting in possible customer dissatisfaction and lost sales, and the increased costs associated with carrying additional inventory.

Another method of calculating reorder level involves the calculation of usage rate per day, lead time which is the amount of time between placing an order and receiving the goods and the safety stock level expressed in terms of several days' sales.

Reorder level = Average daily usage rate x lead time in days.

From the above formula it can be easily deduced that an order for replenishment of materials be made when the level of inventory is just adequate to meet the needs of production during lead time.

If the average daily usage rate of a material is 50 units and the lead time is seven days, then

Reorder level = Average daily usage rate x Lead time in days = 50 units x 7 days = 350 units

When the inventory level reaches 350 units an order should be placed for material. By the time the inventory level reaches zero towards the end of the seventh day from placing the order materials will reach and there is

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no cause for concern.

Safety Stock

Once again in real life situations one rarely comes across lead times and usage rates that are known with certainty. When usage rate and/or lead time vary, then ' the reorder level should naturally be at a level high enough to cater to the production needs during the procurement period and also to provide some measures of safety for at least partially neutralizing the degree of uncertainty.

The question will naturally arise as to the magnitude of safety stock. There is no specific answer to this question. However, it depends, inter alia, upon the degree of uncertainty surrounding the usage rate and lead time. It is possible to a certain extent to quantify the values that usage rate and lead time can take along with the corresponding chances of occurrence, known as probabilities. These probabilities can be ascertained based on previous experiences and/or the judgemental ability of astute executives. Based on the above values and estimates of stock-out costs and carrying costs of inventory, it is possible to work out the total cost associated with different levels of safety stock.

Once we realize that higher the quantity of safety stock, lower will be the stock-out cost and higher will be the incidence of carrying costs, the formula for estimating the reorder level will call for a trade-off between stock-out costs and carrying costs. The reorder level will then become one at which the total stock-out costs (to be more precise, the expected stock-out costs) and the carrying costs will be at their its minimum. We consider below through an illustration the way of arriving at the reorder level in a situation where both usage rate and lead time are subject to variation.

Illustration 4.6

Below are presented the daily usage rate of a material and the lead time required to procure the material along with their respective probabilities (which are independent) for Sigma Company Ltd. The probabilities and the values of usage rate and lead time are based on optimistic, realistic and pessimistic perceptions of the executives concerned.

Average Daily Usage Rate

(units)

Probability of Occurrence

Lead Time (No. of days)

Probability of Occurrence

200 0.25 12 0.25

500 0,50 16 0.50

800 0.25 20 0.25

The stock-out cost is estimated to be Rs.10 per unit while carrying cost for the period under consideration is Rs.3 per unit. What should be the reorder level based on financial considerations?

From the data contained in the table we can calculate the expected usage rate and expected lead time.

The expected usage rate is nothing but the weighted average daily usage rate, where the weights are taken to be the corresponding probability values. Thus, expected daily usage rate

= 200 x 0.25 + 500 x 0.5 + 800 x 0.25

= 50 + 250 + 200 500 units

Similarly expected lead time

= 12 x 0.25 + 16 x 0.5 + 20 x 0.25

= 3 + 8 + 5 = 16 days

Normal consumption during lead time can be obtained by multiplying the above two values.

(i.e.,) Normal consumption during lead time

= 500 units per day x 16 days = 8,000 units

Since normal consumption during lead time has been obtained as 8000 units, stock-outs can occur only if the

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consumption during lead time is more than 8,000 units.

Let us enumerate the situations with lead time consumption of more than 8,000 units, along with their respective probabilities of occurrence. This can be achieved by considering the possible levels of usage.

The possible levels of usage are:

Daily usage rate Lead time in days Possible levels of usage

Units Probability Units Probability Units Probability

12 0.25 2400 0.0625200 0.25 16 0.50 3200 0.1250

20 0.25 4000 0.062512 0.25 6000 0,1250

500 0.5 16 0.50 8000 0.25020 0.25 10000 0.1250

12 0.25 9600 0.0625800 0.25 16 0.50 12800 0.1250

20 0.25 16000 0.0625

From the above table it is clear that the situations with the lead time consumption of more than 8,000 units (normal usage) are 10,000 units with a probability of 0.1250, 9,600 units with 0.0625, 12,800 units with 0.1250 and 16,000 units with 0.0625 probability. And the levels of stock-out are 2,000 units, 1,600 units, 4,800 units and 8,000 units respectively.

Thus, safety stock level can be maintained at any of the above levels, and the stock-out cost and carrying cost associated with these various levels are shown in the table.

Levels of Safety Stocks and Associated Costs

SafetyStock

(1)

Stockouts(2)

Probability(3)

Expected Stockout(4) -(2x3)

Expected Stockout

Cost(5)

Carrying Cost (6)

Total Cost(7)

8,000 units 0 0 0 0 Rs. 24,000 Rs. 24,000

4,800 units 3,200 units 0.0625 200 units Rs. 2,000 Rs. 14,400 Rs. 16,400

2,000 units 6,000 units 0.0625 375 units Rs. 7,250 Rs. 6,000 Rs. 13,250

2,800 units 0.1250 350 units

725 units

1,600 units 6,400 units 0.0625 400 units Rs. 8,500 Rs. 4,800 Rs. 13,300

3,200 units 0.1250 400 units

400 units 0.1250 50 units

850 units

0 8,000 units 0.0625 500 units Rs. 14,500 0 Rs, 14,500

4,800 units 0.1250 600 units

2,000 units 0.1250 250 units

1,600 units 0.0625 100 units

1,450 units

If the safety stock of the firm is 8,000 units, there is no chance of the firm being out of stock. The probability of stock-out is, therefore zero. If the safety stock of the firm is 4,800 units, there is 0.0625 chance that the firm will be short of inventory.

If the safety stock of the firm is 2,000 units, there is stock-out of 6,000 units with a probability of 0.0625 and 2,800 units with a probability of 0.125 based on the possible usage of 16,000 units with probability of 0.0625 and 12,800 with a probability of 0.125 stock-out and the probability of occurrence of stock-out at other levels are calculated in the same way.

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Reorder Point Formula

Even in a relatively simple situation considered in the illustration above, the amount o'f calculations involved for arriving at the reorder level is large. In real life situations the assumption of independence in the probability distributions made in the illustration above may not be valid and the number of time periods may also be large. In such cases the approach adopted earlier can become much more complex. That is the reason why one can adopt a much simpler formula which gives reasonably reliable results in calculating at what point in the level of inventory a reorder has to be placed for replenishment of stock. The formula along with its application is given below, using the notation developed earlier.

Reorder pint = S X L + F

Where,

S = Usage in units per day

L = Lead time in days

R = Average number of units per order

F = Stockout acceptance factor

The stock-out acceptance factor, 'F', depends on the stock-out percentage rate specified and the probability distribution of usage (which is assumed to follow a Poisson distribution). For any specified acceptable stockout percentage the value of 'F' can be obtained from the figure presented below.

Figure 4.6 Value of ‘f’ for different stocks out percentage

Illustration 4.7

For Apex company the average daily usage of a material is 100 units, lead time for procuring material is 20 days and the average number of units per order is 2000 units, The stockout acceptance factor is considered to be 1.3. What is the reorder level for the company?

From the data contained in the problem we have J

S = 100 units L = 20 days R = 2,000 units F = -1.3

Reorder level = S x L + F

= 100 x 20 + 1.3

= 2,000 + 1.3 x 2,000 - 4,600 units

Reorder for replenishment of stock should be placed when the inventory level reaches 4,600 units.

Stock-level Subsystem69

This stock level subsystem keeps track of the goods held by the firm, the issuance of goods, and the arrival of orders. It maintains records of the current level of inventory. For any period of time, the current level is calculated by taking the beginning inventory, adding the inventory received, and subtracting the cost of goods sold. Whenever this subsystem reports that an item is at or below the reorder point level, the firm will begin to place an order for the item.

TOTAL SYSTEM

The three subsystems are tied together in a single inventory management system. The inventory management system can also be illustrated in terms of the three subsystems that comprise it. The figure No. 4.7 below ties each subsystem together and shows the three items of information needed for the decision to order additional inventory.

Inventory Planning

An important task of working-capital management is to ensure that inventories are incorporated into the firm's planning and budgeting process. Sometimes, the level of inventory reflects the orders received by the general manager of the plant without serious analysis as to the need for the materials or parts. This lack of planning can be costly for the firm, either because of the carrying and financing costs of excess inventory or the lost sales from inadequate inventory. The inventory requirements to support production and marketing should be incorporated into the firm's planning process in an orderly fashion.

The Production Side

The first step in inventory planning deals with the manufacturing mix of inventory items and end products. Every product is made up of a specified list of components. The analyst must recognize the different mix of components in each finished product. Each item maintained in inventory will have a cost. This cost may vary based on volume purchases, lead time for an order, historical agreements, or other factors. For the purpose of preparing a budget, each item must be assigned a unit cost.

Figure 4.7 Three Subsystems of the Inventory-Management System

Once the mix of components is known and each component has been assigned a value, the analyst can calculate the materials cost for each product which is the weighted average of the components and the individual products.

The Marketing Side

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The second step in inventory planning involves a forecast of unit requirements during the future period. Both a sales forecast and an estimate of the safety level to support unexpected sales opportunities are required. The Marketing Department should also provide pricing information so that higher profit items receive more attention.

Inventory Data Base

An important component of inventory planning involves access to an inventory data base. A data base is a collection of data items arranged in files, fields and records. Essentially, we are working with a structured framework that contains the information needed to effectively manage all items of inventory, from raw materials to finished goods. This information includes the classification and amount of inventories, demand for the items, cost to the firm for each item, ordering costs, carrying costs, and other data.

The first component of an inventory data base deals with the movement of individual items and the second component of inventory management data involves information needed to make decisions on rendering or replenishing the items.

OTHER INVENTORY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

The ABC system

In the case of a manufacturing company of reasonable size the number of items of inventory runs into hundreds, if not more. From the point of view of monitoring information for control it becomes extremely difficult to consider each one of these items. The ABC analysis comes in quite handy and enables the management to concentrate attention and keep a close watch on a relatively less number of items which account for a high percentage of the value of annual usage of all items of inventory.

A firm using the ABC system segregates its inventory into three groups - A, B and C. The A items are those in which it has the largest rupee investment. In the Figure 4.7 which depicts the typical distribution of inventory items, A group consists about 10 percent of the inventory items that account approximately for 70 percent of the firm's rupee investment. These are the most costly or the slowest turning items of inventory. The B group consists of the items accounting for the next largest investment. This group consists approximately 20 percent of the items accounting for about 20 percent of the firm's rupee investment. The C group typically consists of a large number of items accounting for a small rupee investment. C group consists of approximately 70 percent of all the items of inventory but accounts for only about 10 percent of the firm's rupee investment. Items such as screws, nails, and washers would be in this group.

Dividing its inventory into A, B, and C items allows the firm to determine the level and types of inventory control procedures needed. Control of the A items should be most intensive due to the high rupee investments involved, while the B and C items would be subject to correspondingly less sophisticated control procedures.

DEFINING COSTS AND BENEFITS

The important principles underlying measurement of costs (outflows) and inflows (benefits) are as follows:

• All costs and benefits must be measured in terms of cash flows. This implies that all non-cash charges (expenses) like depreciation which are considered for the purpose of determining the profit after tax must be added back to arrive at the net cash flows for our purpose. (Illustrations 1, 2 and 3 of this chapter clarify this aspect.)

• Since the net cash flows relevant from the firm's point of view are what that accrue to the firm after paying tax, cash flows for the purpose of appraisal must be defined in post-tax terms.

• Usually the net cash flows are defined from the point of view of the suppliers of long-term funds4 (i.e., suppliers of equity capital plus long-term loans).

• Interest on long-term loans must not be included for determining the net cash flows. The rationale for this principle is as follows: Since the net cash flows are defined from the point of view of suppliers of long-term funds, the post-tax cost of long-term funds will be used as the interest rate for discounting. The post-tax cost of long-term funds obviously includes the post-tax cost of long-term debt. Therefore if interest on long-term debt is considered for the purpose of determining the net cash flows, there will be an error of double-counting.

• The cash flows must be measured in incremental terms. In other words, the increments in the present levels of costs and benefits that occur on account of the adoption of the project are alone relevant for the

71

purpose of determining the net cash flows.

Some implications of this principle are as follows:

• If the proposed project has a beneficial or detrimental impact on say, the other product lines of the firm, then such impact must be quantified and considered for ascertaining the net cash flows.

• Sunk costs must be ignored. For example, the cost of existing land must be ignored because money has already been sunk in it and no additional or incremental money is spent on it for the purposes of this project.

• Opportunity costs associated with the utilization of the resources available with the firm must be considered even though such utilization does not entail explicit cash outflows. Example, while the sunk cost of land is ignored, its opportunity cost i.e., the income it would have generated if it bad been utilized for some other purpose or project must be considered.

• The share of the existing overhead costs which is to be borne by the end product(s) of the proposed project must be ignored.

The application of these principles in the measurement of the cash flows of a project are illustrated by the following illustrations:

Illustration 4.8

Anand, a chemical engineer with 15 years of experience, and Prakash, a pharmacy graduate with 18 years of experience, are evaluating a pharmaceutical formulation. They have estimated the total outlay on the project to be as follows:

Plant & Machinery : Rs.36 lakh Working Capital : Rs.24 lakh The proposed scheme of financing is : Equity Capital : Rs. 16 lakh Term Loan : Rs.26 lakh Trade Credit : Rs.8 lakh Working Capital Advance : Rs. 10 lakh

The project has an expected life of 10 years. Plant & Machinery will be depreciated at the rate of 33 1/3 percent per annum as per the written down value method. The expected annual sales would be Rs.80 lakh, and the cost of sales (including depreciation but excluding interest) is expected to be Rs.50 lakh per year. The tax rate of the company will be 50 percent. Term-loan will carry 14 percent interest and will be repayable in 5 equal annual installments, beginning from the end of the first year. Working capital advance will carry an interest rate of 17 percent and, thanks to the 'rollover' phenomenon, will have an indefinite maturity.

Define the cash flows for the first three years from the long-term funds point of view.

SolutionNet Cash Flows Relating to Long-term Funds

(Rs. in lakh)

Year 0 1 2 3

A Investment (42.00)

B Sales 80.00 80.00 80.00

C Operating costs (excluding depreciation) 38.00 42.00 44.67

D Depreciation 12.00 8.00 5.33

E Interest on working capital advance 1.70 1.70 1.70

F Profit before tax 28.30 28,30 28.30

G Tax 14.15 14,15 14.15

H Profit after tax 14,15 14.15 14.15

I Initial flow (42.00)

K Operating flow (= H + D) + 1(1 - t) 26.15 22.15 19.48

L Net cash flow (= 1 + K) (42.00) 26.15 22.15 19.48

Explanatory Notes

72

The investment outlay has to be considered from the point of view of the suppliers of long-term funds. In the

given Illustration, we find that Rs.18 lakh out of the investment of Rs.24 lakh in current assets is financed by

way of trade-credit and working capital advance. The difference of Rs.6 lakh is called the working-capital

margin i.e., the contribution of the suppliers of long-term funds towards working capital. Therefore, the

investment outlay relevant from the long-term funds point of view will be equal to investment in plant and

machinery + working capital margin = Rs.42 lakh.

Since depreciation is a non-cash charge which has to be added to the profit after tax, this charge must be

disclosed separately in the cash flow statement and not clubbed with other operating costs. Further, the

depreciation charge to be considered here will be the tax-relevant charge. In other words, the depreciation must

be computed in accordance with the method and rate(s) prescribed by the Income Tax Act, 1961.

While interest on long-term debt must be excluded for reasons discussed earlier, interest on short-term bank

borrowings must be included in the cash flow statement.

In the Illustration discussed above, we have defined the cash flows only over the first three years of the project's

life. But in practice cash flows are defined over the entire project life or over a specified time horizon (if the

project life is too long). If the cash flows are defined over the entire life of the project, then the estimated

salvage value of the investment in plant and machinery and the working capital must be considered for

determining the net cash flow in the terminal year. If the cash flows are defined over a specified time horizon, a

notional salvage value is taken into account in the final year of the time horizon,

The following illustration illustrates this point:

Illustration 4.9

A capital project involves the following outlays:

(Rs. in lakh)

Plant and machinery 180Working Capital 120

The proposed scheme of financing is as follows:

(Rs. in lakh) Equity 100

Long-term loans 104Trade credit 36Commercial banks 60

The project has a life of 10 years. Plant and machinery are depreciated at the rate of 15 percent per annum as

per the written down value method. The expected annual net sales is Rs.350 lakh. Cost of sales (including

depreciation, but excluding interest) is expected to be Rs.190 lakh a year. The tax rate of the company is 60

percent. At the end of 10 years plant and machinery will fetch a value equal to their book value and the

investment in working capital will be fully recovered. The long-term loan carries an interest of 14 percent per

annum. It is repayable in eight equal annual installments starting from the end of the third year. Short-term

advance from commercial banks will be maintained at Rs.60 lakh; and will carry interest at IS percent per

annum. It will be fully liquidated after 10 years. Trade credit will also be maintained uniformly at Rs.36 lakh and

will be fully paid back at the end of the tenth year.

Calculate the cash flow stream from the long-term funds point of view.

Solution

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Cash Flows Relating to Lone-Term Funds

(Rs in lakh) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10A. Investment

(204.00) B. Sales 350.00 350.00 350.00 350.00 350.00 350.00 350.00 350.00 350,00 350.00C. Cost of sales 163,00 167.05 170.49 173.42 175.91 178.02 179.82 181.34 182.64 183.75D. Depreciation 27.00 22.95 19.51 16.58 14.09 11,98 10.18 8.68 7.36 6.25E. Profit before interest

and taxes160.00 160.00 160,00 160-00 160.00 160.00 160.00 160.00 160.00 160.00

F. Interest on ST bank 10.80 10,80 10.80 10.80 10.80 10.80 10.80 10.80 10,80 10.80 borrowing G. Profit before taxes 149.20 149.20 149,20 149.20 149.20 149.20 149-20 149.20 149.20 149.20H. Tax 89.52 89.52 89.S2 89.52 89.52 89.52 89,52 89.52 89,52 89.52I. Profit after tax 59.68 59.68 59,68 59.68 59.68 59.68 59.68 59.68 59.68 59.68J. Net salvage value of

fixed assets35.44

K. Net salvage of current 120.00 assets l. Retirement of trade

credit (36.00)

M. Payment of ST bank (60.00) borrowing N. Net Cash Flow = -A + I + D + J +J+K-L-

M (204.00) 86.68 82.63 79.19 76,26 73,77 71.66 69.86 68.34 67.04 125.37

Explanatory Notes

• Net salvage value of fixed assets will be equal to the salvage value of fixed assets less any income tax that may be payable on the excess of the salvage value over the book value. Likewise there will be a tax shield on the loss, if any, incurred at the time of disposing of the fixed assets. According to tax laws, the net salvage value of any individual item off plant and machinery has lost its significance and therefore for our purposes, we will ignore the impact of tax on the salvage value. In other words, we will take only the gross salvage value into consideration.

• The depreciation rate assumed in this problem is not indicative of the current rates in force, (The depreciation rates currently applicable to plant and machinery under the Income Tax Act are 25%, 40%, and 100%).

• In working out the cash flows, deduction available for a new project under Section 80 I of the Income Tax Act has been ignored.

• Our Illustrations have so far been focused on estimating cash flows for a new project The following illustration illustrates estimation of cash flows for a replacement project.

Illustration 4.10

Sandals Inc. is considering the purchase of a new leather cutting machine to replace an existing machine that has a book value of Rs.3,000 and can be sold for Rs. 1,500. The estimated salvage value of the old machine in.four years would be zero, and it is depreciated on a straight-line basis. The new machine will reduce costs (before tax) by Rs.7,000 per year, i.e., Rs.7,000 cash savings over the old machine. The new machine has a four year life, costs Rs.14,000 and can be sold for an expected amount of Rs.2,000 at the end of the fourth year. Assuming straight-line depreciation, and a 40% tax rate, define the cash flows associated with the investment. Assume that the straight-line method of depreciation is used for tax purposes.

Solution

Cash Flows Associated with Replacement Decision74

(in Rs.)

Year 0 1 2 3 4

1. Net investment in new machine (12,500)

2. Savings in costs 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,0003. Incremetal depreciation 2,250 2,250 2,250 2,2504. Pre-tax profits 4,750 4,750 4,750 4,7505. Taxes 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,9006. Post-tax profits 2,850 2,850 2,850 2,850• 7. Initial flow ( = (1)) (12,500)8. Operating flow ( = (6) + (3» 5,100 5,100 5,100 5,1009. Terminal flow 2,00010. Net cash flow ( = (7) + (8) + (9)) (12,500) 5,100 5,100 5,100 7,100

Working Notes

Computation of depreciation:

Existing leather-cutting machine

Rs.3,000/4 = Rs.750 per annum

New leather-cutting machine

Rs.12,000/4 = Rs.3,000 per annum

Incremental depreciation = Rs.2,250 per annum

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Chapter 5Organization profitability analysis

Cost Accounting is a quantitative method that accumulates, classifies, summarizes and interprets financial and non-financial information for three major purposes, viz.

• ascertainment of cost of a product or service;• operational planning and control; and• decision-making.

Cost Accounting is one of the branches of Accounting and is predominantly meant for meeting the informational needs of the management. Managers need cost information for informed decision-making.

Of late, the boundaries of Cost Accounting have increased tremendously. It now refers to the gathering and providing of information for decision needs of all sorts. Modern Cost Accounting is often called Management Accounting.1 The official terminology of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

(CIMA), England, defines Cost Accounting as "that part of management accounting which establishes budgets and standard costs and actual costs of operations, processes, departments or products and the analysis of variances, profitability or social use of funds'

Management Accounting serves a business to be operated more efficiently and effectively. When cost Accounting is used as a synonym of Management Accounting, the emphasis is clearly put on decision-making. Cost Accounting can provide financial and non-financial information that help decision-making across all functions of the organization. Accounting is regarded us an information system and cost and Management Accounting are two sub-systems of the same.

COST CONCEPT AND COST OBJECT

Cost is defined as the amount of expenditure (actual or notional) incurred on, or attributable to, a specified thing or activity (CIMA).

It also represents a sacrifice, a foregoing or a release of something of value. The Committee on Cost Concepts and Standards of the American Accounting Association (Accounting Review, vol. 31) supports the view that business cost is a release of value for the acquisition or creation of economic resources and is measured in terms of a monetary sacrifice involved. For example, for materials used for production the cost is measured by the amount of money that had to be paid to procure the materials. This is, no doubt, past or historical cost. Costs are, therefore, resources sacrificed or foregone to achieve a specific object. Objects of Cost Accounting are always activities. We want to know the cost of doing something. Cost object is, therefore, any activity or item for which a separate measurement of costs in desired.3 A synonym is cost objective. The cost object may be an activity or operation, a product or service, a project, a department "or a programme. Cost measurement must be tied to at least one cost object—the term cost by itself is meaningless.

Why does management need cost information? Some of the purposes for which managers need cost information are:

1. Periodic profit determination (including valuation of inventory);

2. Budgeting and planning operations (in money terms);

3. Cost control;

4. Pricing; and

5. Day-to-day applications of plans and policies.

Historical costs are required for item (1) mentioned above as it involves the matching of costs and revenues on some consistent basis. For item (2), estimated costs, revenue, volume, etc. are relevant while cost control requires the adoption of standards for comparison and involves the measurement of actual costs against the standard costs. Pricing requires a different set of figures, viz., marginal costs plus expected contribution or estimated total cost plus profit. Day-to-day applications of plans and policies may require almost any combination of the above and other types of costs

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Marginal Costing

Marginal Costing is a technique of ascertaining cost used in any particular method of costing. According to this technique:

variable costs are charged to cost units and the fixed cost attributable to the relevant period is written-off in full against the contribution for that period.'

Under this technique, all costs are classified into two groups: fixed and variable. For this purpose, the fixed and variable elements are also separated from semi-variable or semi-fixed costs and included in respective groups. Since fixed costs are not included in product costs, it becomes easy to find out directly the effect on profit due to changes in volume or type of output.

The term marginal costing is generally used in the U.K. while in the U.S.A., direct costing is the more popular term. Although both marginal costing and direct costing may mean one and the same thing, a distinction between the two may also be made.2 The term cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis is also frequently used3 in this context. CVP analysis refers to the study of the effects on future profits of changes in fixed cost, variable cost, sales price, quantity and mix (C1MA). Break-even analysis is one of the important tools under CVP analysis or marginal costing and is used by managers for decision-making.

Marginal costing or CVP analysis is based on certain assumptions. They are as follows:

1. Fixed costs will tend to remain constant. In other words, there will not be any change in cost factor, such as change in property tax rate, insurance rate, salaries of staff etc., or in management policy.

2. Price of variable cost factors, i.e., wage rates, price of materials, supplies, services, etc., will remain unchanged, so that variable costs are truly variable.

3. Semi-variable costs can be segregated into variable and fixed elements.4. Product specifications and methods of manufacturing and selling will not undergo a change.5. Operating efficiency will not increase or decrease.6. There will not be any change in pricing policy due to change in volume, competition, etc.7. The number of units of sales will coincide with the units produced, so that there is no closing or opening

stock. Alternatively, the changes in opening and closing stocks are insignificant and that they are valued at the same prices, or at variable cost.

8. Product-mix will remain unchanged.

Marginal Cost

Economists define marginal cost as "the amount at any given volume of output by which aggregate costs are changed if the volume of output is increased or decreased by one unit". Suppose the cost of production of 10,000 units of a product is Rs. 1,00,000 and that of 10,001 units is Rs. 1,00,008. Therefore, cost of producing an additional unit is Rs. 8 (i.e., Rs. 1,00,008 - 1,00,000). This is the marginal cost of one unit and this marginal cost is the direct cost, comprising the cost of materials used, the labour employed and the variable overhead expenses that would not have been incurred but for producing this additional unit. If the production of the additional unit involves increase in fixed cost along with variable items as above, such increase will be included in marginal cost.

But accountants define4 marginal cost as "the variable cost of one unit of a product or a service, i.e., a cost which would be avoided if the unit was not produced or provided". Thus, marginal cost is the aggregate of variable costs. For example, if Rs. 40,000 for direct materials, Rs. 20,000 for direct labour, Rs. 20,000 for variable overheads and Rs, 20,000 for fixed overheads are incurred for producing 10,000 units of a product, the marginal cost can be ascertained as follows:

Materials Rs. 40,000 Direct Labour 20,000

Prime Cost Rs. 60,000

Variable Overheads 20,000 Marginal Cost Rs. 80,000 Production 10,000 units Marginal Cost per unit Rs. 8/-

The economist's marginal cost curve is J or U-shaped; the accountant's per unit variable cost is a constant, which, when plotted, is a flat, horizontal line.

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The theory of marginal costing is based upon the assumption that some elements of cost tend to vary directly with variations in volume of output while others do not. That is why, only variable costs form part of product costs. On the other hand, fixed costs are written-off to Marginal Profit and Loss Account being treated as period costs inasmuch as costs such as supervision, rent, rates, fire insurance, depreciation, etc., are to be incurred during a period irrespective of the volume of production. Since variable costs are included in product costs, under stable conditions, such product costs will be a constant ratio whereas fixed costs will be a constant amount. Even if fixed cost increases due to increase in volume, it will not affect marginal or variable cost, as defined by the accountants.

In the above example, direct labour costs are included in marginal cost on the assumption that they are 'variable'. If they are not variable, they should be excluded from marginal cost. It should be noted that even fixed costs may be directly identifiable with the cost object. While all variable costs are generally direct, all direct costs need not be variable. The most important aspect of the direct cost is the cost object. A cost item may be direct cost for one cost object, while it may be an indirect cost for another cost object. In India, labour costs are not variable—they are fixed; only an insignificant portion, say 5 to 10 percentage, is variable (e.g., casual labour engaged to cope with additional volume, overtime premium, salesmen's commission, etc.). Accordingly, cost of labour should be excluded from the computation of marginal or variable cost: it should be added to other fixed costs and treated as such, However, in solving the problems in this Section as well as those in Section II that follows, we have taken labour cost as 'direct and variable' as most of these questions set in various examinations assumed labour cost as such. In reality, the decision-maker should keep in mind the limitation of such textbook approach and analyze cost data according to real-life situation for correct decision.

Variable Costs vs Fixed Costs

In computing marginal costs, a distinction between variable costs and fixed costs has to be made because only variable costs are treated as product costs and fixed costs are treated as period costs. Semi-variable costs are segregated into variable and fixed elements and included in the respective groups. These costs are discussed in detail in the Overheads chapter (pp. 203-205). A comparison between the two with respect to a few criteria may, however, be summed up as follows:

Particulars Fixed costs Variable costs

1. Type of costs Fixed costs tend to remain constant irrespective of the volume of output or activity. Because these costs generally accrue with the passage of time, they are known as 'period costs' or "time costs'. Fixed costs are 'costs of being in the business'.

Variable costs tend to vary directly with output or activity. Since these costs tend to fluctuate in proportion to changes in output or activity, they may be called 'activity costs'. Variable costs are 'costs of doing the business'.

2. Relationship to Activity

Fixed costs result from the capacity to produce and they are not a result of the performance of that activity. They are not generally influenced by output. So, apart from knowing the incidence of costs per unit, expressing fixed costs per unit does not make any sense.

Variable costs vary in proportion to activity rather than to the passage of lime. So, expressing variable costs in relation to time does not make any sense.

3. Relevant Activity Range

Fixed costs tend to remain constant only within a given range of output or activity. There are a few, if any, costs that would remain constant over the wide range of output or activity, say, from zero to full capacity.

The pattern of variable costs also remains constant within a normal or relevant range of operations; beyond that, these costs may well change.

4. Relevant Period Other things remaining constant, a change in period may lead to a change in fixed costs structure (e.g., due to annual increment, salary bills in two periods will not be identical).

All other factors given constant, variable costs cannot be affected due to change in period alone.

5. Controllability .All fixed costs are controllable over the lifespan of an enterprise. Only few items are subject to short-run management control. Many items of fixed costs are dependent entirely on specific management decisions. Therefore, they may be regulated by changing management decisions.

Variable costs are generally subject to short-term management control. In some cases, variable costs may also be affected by the discretionary policy decisions of management. For example, a decision to use a less expensive raw material than that currently used (without impairing quality of product) will reduce the amount of variable cost (although the cost is still variable but at a different rate).

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Determination of Marginal Cost

Variable costs, such as direct materials, direct labour, direct expense, etc., can be ascertained without any difficulty and these costs will tend to be a constant amount per unit. In determining these costs, past actuals will be the basis for estimate. Where, however, budgetary control is in operation, company's detailed budget will be a guide. Variable overheads can be ascertained from previous ledger postings or the budget. Fixed costs can also be picked up individually without difficulty. The basic sources of data are the same, i.e., Material Requisition Notes for direct and indirect material, Job Cards or Wages Analysis Sheets for labour booking, Expense Analysis Sheet for expenses, etc.

Semi-variable items should be segregated into variable and fixed elements and be included in the respective groups. Semi-variable group frequently represents a significant portion of the total costs incurred. Therefore, the accuracy of marginal costs will depend to a large extent upon the accuracy with which semi-variable costs are segregated into variable and fixed elements.

Methods of Segregation of Semi-variable Costs

The following methods are generally used in segregating semi-variable costs into their variable and fixed parts:

1. Intelligent estimate of individual expenses.2. High and Low Points method.3. Equations method.4. Methods of Averages.5. Graphical method.6. Method of Least Squares.

Intelligent Estimates

In estimating fixed and variable portions of semi-variable overheads, past overhead expenses at various levels of activity will be analyzed and a tabulation will show the pattern of overhead expenses in relation to volume. Adjustments are to be made for anticipating changes in price, rate, etc. Although this method is not accurate, it is simple to operate.

High and Low Points

This is also known as Range Method. Segregation with the help of this_ method is not difficult. In this method, the levels of highest and lowest expenses are compared with one another and related to output attained in those periods. Since fixed portion of the costs is expected to remain fixed for the two periods, it becomes clear that the change in the level of the expenses must be due to variable portion of the overheads. From this, the variable cost per unit is easy to ascertain as follows:

Illustration 5.1

Output Semi-variable

Month (units) overheads Rs.January 2,500 12,500February 3,000 14,000March 3,500 15,500April 4,700 19,100May 3,700 16,100June 4,400 18,200July 4,500 18,500August 4,200 17,600September 4,000 17,000October 4,300 17,900November 3,800 16,400December 2,700 13,100

Now, from the above table, taking highest and lowest output with relative overhead costs, one can segregate

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the fixed and variable portions as follows:

Output(units)

Semi-variable overheads Rs.

Highest (April) 4,700 19,100Lowest (January) 2,500 12,500

Change 2,200 6,600

Since variable costs will only change, variable overheads cost per unit will be:

Rs. 6,600 4 2,200 = Rs. 3/-

Therefore, fixed costs would be:

Rs. 19,100 - (4,700 x Rs. 31-)

= Rs. 5,0007-

This method is not always considered to be scientific.

Equation Method

Here the straight line equation is used. The equation is:

y = mx + c (5.1)

where y - total semi-variable cost, c - fixed cost included in semi-variable cost, m = variable cost per unit, and x - output.

It is now possible to segregate the fixed and variable portions with the help of the equations with respect to two periods.

Illustration 5.2 Taking the figures for January and February from Illustration 5.2:

(January) 12,500 = 2,500m + c (I)(February) 14,000 = 3,000m + c (2)

Subtracting Eq. (1) from Eq. (2): 1,500 = 500m

m = Rs. 37-

Putting value of m in Eq. (1): 12,500 = 2,500 x 3 + c

.-, c = Rs. 5,000.

Method of Averages

Under this method, average of two selected groups should be taken out first and then the method of high and low points or the equation method may be used in arriving at variable and fixed portions of semi-variable costs.

Illustration 5.3 Average output Average costLast four months 3,700 units Rs. 16,100First four months Change 3,425 units Rs. 15,275

275 units Rs. 825Variable overheads: Rs. 825 4 275 = Rs. 3 per unit Fixed overheads: Rs. 16,100 - (3,700 x Rs. 3) = Rs. 5,000

Graphical Method

Semi-variable overheads at various levels of activity will be plotted on a graph paper whose abscissa will represent output at various levels of activity and the ordinate will represent respective semi-variable overheads. The line of regression drawn on the graph paper will show the relation between the variable overheads and

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output and the point where regression line will cut the ordinate will represent the fixed overheads. The slope of the regression line will show the degree of variability. This method is widely used in practice.

Method of Least Squares

This method is possibly the most accurate of those discussed so far. This is based on finding out a 'line of best fit' for a number of observations with the help of statistical method.

We know the straight line equation y = mx + c. Thus, for each period we have an equation in the following form:

y1 = mx1 + c

y2 = mx2 + c

yn ~ mxn + c

Adding

y = m x + N.c (5.2)

[N = number of observations]

Again, multiplying both sides of the linear equation by x, we get:

x1y1] = mx2 + c.X1

2 x2y2 = mx2 + c.x2

xnyn = mxn2 + c.xn

and which, when added together, become:

xy - m x2+ c. x (5.3)

With the help of Eqs. (5.2) and (5.3), the values 'm* and V can be obtained and the pattern of cost line determined accordingly.

Illustration 5.3 Month Output (units) Semi-variable

overheads

Rs. x Y January 2,500 12,500 February 3,000 14,000 March 3,500 15,500

To reduce labour, let: x =

Then: x y xy x2

5 25 125 25 6 28 168 36 7 31 217 49

18 84 510 110 Sx Zy "Lxy Xx2

Substituting the above values in Eqs. (5.2) and (5.3):

84= 18m + 3c (3)

510= 110m + 18c (4)

Multiplying Eq. (3) by 6:

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504= 108m + 18c (5)

Subtracting Eq. (5) from Eq. (4):

6 = 2mm = 3

Putting this value in Eq. (3):

84 = 54 + 3cc = 10.We now have: y = 3x + 10.

Putting y = and x = the equation becomes:

Multiplying both sides by 500:

Y = 3X + 5.000

Thus, the above straight line equation shows that Rs. 5,000 is the amount of fixed overheads present in the total semi-variable and the variable overheads are Rs 3/- per unit.

Note: The equation Y = 3X + 5,000 gives the pattern of semi-variable overheads line. Thus, if production for any month is, say, 4,000 units, the total overheads will be:

Y = 3 x 4,000 + 5,000 = Rs. 17,000

Concept of Profit

Profit is known as 'Net Margin'. Net Margin5 is arrived at after deducting fixed costs from total contribution or 'Gross Margin'. It may be noted that contribution is the difference between sales value and the variable cost of those sales. In short, fixed costs are not included in cost of goods sold or closing stock; they are written-off to Marginal Profit and Loss Account of the period. The argument in favour of this procedure is that no one makes profit per unit manufactured; but profit is made out of total activity during a period. It is generally said that products make contribution and business makes profit. Units produced and sold will, therefore, contribute to a 'profit pool' which will pay for the fixed charges and whatever will be left thereafter will represent net profit. Assuming that a manufacturing company manufactures four products, the diagram overleaf will demonstrate how profit is made.

Figure 5.1

It is also clear that no part of the fixed overheads is transferred to the next period by the addition of some arbitrary amount to the value of closing work-in-progress and finished goods.

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Absorption vs Marginal Costing

It follows from the earlier discussion that marginal costing and absorption costing are based on different concepts of profit. The crucial question is whether the total fixed costs incurred during a period should be charged against sales of the period (as is done in marginal costing) or should be spread over more than one accounting period by means of inclusion in closing stocks (as is done in absorption costing). Under marginal costing, the entire amount of fixed costs is charged to Profit and Loss Account in the year in which the costs are incurred, so that closing work-in-progress and finished goods are valued at marginal or variable costs only. Consequently, under marginal costing, profits tend to vary with volume of sales irrespective of movements -in inventory. Therefore, profit and loss statement prepared under marginal costing is more intelligible to management. Under absorption costing, on the other hand, product costs include fixed costs and as a result, a portion of fixed costs is carried forward to the next year by means of inclusion in closing work-in-progress and finished goods. Thus, under absorption costing, periodic profit is affected by changes in inventory as well as in the volume of sales and profit may be shifted from one accounting period to another by increasing or reducing inventories. The effect upon profit under absorption and marginal costing under a number of possibilities may be studied as follows:

Possibilities Effect upon Profit under Absorption and Marginal Costing

(a) When sales and production coincide

Under both methods, total fixed costs incurred during the period are charged against sales or revenues of the period. Hence both yield the same profit.

(b) When sales exceed production (i.e., closing stock decreasing)

Under absorption costing, fixed costs charged against revenues exceed the amount incurred during the period. This is because fixed costs previously deferred in stock are charged against revenues in the period in which the goods are sold. Therefore, profit is lower than that shown under marginal costing.

(c) When production exceeds sales (i.e., closing WIP and Finished goods increasing)

Under absorption costing, total fixed costs charged against revenue are lower than the amount incurred inasmuch as a portion of fixed production costs of the period is deferred to future periods by means of inclusion in closing inventories.

Therefore, absorption costing shows a higher profit than does marginal costing.

(d) When sales volume is constant but production fluctuates

Marginal costing shows a constant profit figure because changes in the level of inventory cannot affect the profit. But under the same circumstances, absorption costing yields a fluctuating profit figure.

(e) When production volume is constant but sales fluctuate

Profit is directly proportional to sales under either of the methods. The profit figure may not be the same in amount but it will move in the same direction.

Illustration 5.4

Duo Ltd makes and sells Two products, Alpha and Beta. The following information isavailable: Period 1 Period 2Production (units): Alpha 2,500 1,900Beta 1,750 1,250Sales (units): Alpha 2,300 1,700Beta 1,600 1,250Financial data: Alpha Beta

£ £Unit selling price 90 75Unit variable costs: Direct materials 15 12Direct labour (£ 6/hr) 18 12Variable production overheads 12 8

Fixed costs for the company in total were £ 1,10,000 in period 1 and £ 82,000 in period 2. Fixed costs are

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recovered on direct labour hours. Requirements:

(a) Prepare profit and loss accounts for period 1 and for period 2 based on marginal cost principles.(b) Prepare profit and loss accounts for period 1 and for period 2 based on absorption cost principles.(c) Comment on the position shown by your statements.

(a) Profit and Loss Accounts for Periods 1 and 2 under Marginal Costing

Peri od 1 Period 2£ £ £ £

Sales 3,27,000 2,46,750 Less: Cost of sales: Opening stock (Wl) — 13,800 Production 1,68,500 1,25,500

1,39,300

Less: Closing stock (Wl) Contribution

13,800 22,800

1,16,500 1,54,700

1,72,300 1,30,250 Less: Fixed costs 1,10,000 82,000

Profit 62,300 48,250

(b) Profit and Loss Accounts for

Period 1 and 2 Based on

Absorption Costing

Period 1 Period 2 £ £ £ Sales 3,27,000 2,46,750 Less: Cost of sales: Opening stock (W2) — 22,800 Production 2, 78,500 2,07,500 2,30,300 Less: Closing stock (W2) 22,800 37,800 2,55,700 1,92,500 Profit 71,300 54,250

(c) Stock levels are rising over period 1 and 2. Absorption costing, which includes a share of fixed costs in the stock valuation, therefore gives a higher reported profit than marginal costing which charges the fixed costs against profit in the period in which they are incurred. Accordingly, the reported profit under absorption costing is £ 15,000 more over the two periods as £ 9,000 of fixed costs are 'carried forward' from period 1 to 2, and a net £ 6,000 are 'carried forward' from period 2 to 3.

Workings:

Alpha Beta TotalMarginal cost per unit (£) 45 32 Period 1: Closing stock: units 200 150 value (£) 9,000 4,800 13,800 Period 2: Closing stock: units 400 150 value (£) 18,000 4,800 22,800 W2 Period 1: Marginal cost (£) 45 32 Overheads (£):

£ 1,10,000

(3 x 2,500) + (2 X 1,750)

= £ 10 per labour hour 30 20

Total cost per unit (£) 75 52 Closing stock: units 200 150 value (£) 15,000 7,800 22,800 Period 2:

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Marginal cost (£) 45 32 Overheads (£):

£ 82,000

(3 x 1,900) + (2 x 1,250)

= £ 10 per hour 30 20

Total cost per unit (£) 75 52

Closing stock: units 400 150

value (£) 30,000 7,800 37,800

MARGINAL COST EQUATION

It has been pointed out earlier that the difference between sales value and the variable cost of those sales is known as contribution. In other words, products sold will contribute to a fund to meet first the fixed costs and the balance represents the profits of the undertaking. Therefore, contribution is equal to fixed costs and profit (or loss). From this concept, the following Marginal Cost Equation is developed:

S - V = F + P [S - V = C; C = F + P] (5.4)

where S - Sales; V - Variable or marginal costs; F = Fixed costs, and P - Profit.

Thus, if any three factors of the above equation are known, the fourth can be easily found out. Again, this equation is used for ascertainment of break-even point, i.e., at break-even point, there will be no profit or no loss (Total Costs = Total Sales), so that P = 0.

i.e., S1=V1 + F (1)

(5.5)

PROFIT/VOLUME RATIO

The Profit/Volume Ratio, popularly known as the P/V Ratio, expresses the relation of contribution to sales. This ratio is also known as Contribution to Sales (C/S) or the Marginal Income Ratio. Symbolically,

P/V or C/S Ratio = (5.6)

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where C = Contribution, S = Sales, and V - Variable costs.

So long as unit selling price and unit variable cost remain constant, P/V ratio can also be found out by expressing change in contribution in relation to change in sales. Similarly, when unit selling price, unit variable cost and fixed cost (total) remain constant, P/V ratio can be determined by expressing change in profit or loss in relation to change in sales. Thus,

P/V or C/S ratio =

= (5.7)

The above ratio is generally expressed in percentage form multiplying it by 100. C/S or P/V Ratio determines the increase or decrease in contribution which can be expected from increase or decrease in volume provided that there is no change in any other factors. In normal circumstances, C/S or P/V ratio will indicate relative profitability of different products, processes or departments, so that development of sales strategy is facilitated. For example, a high C/S or P/V ratio indicates that comparatively large amount may be spent by way of advertising and sales promotion for obtaining additional sales inasmuch as the contribution from such sales will be adequate to recover fixed costs and 'contribute further towards profit. Again, for price reduction due to acute competition, the C/S ratio may be used by the management. The effect on profit due to changes in volume may be ascertained with the help of this ratio. The effect on profit may be summed up as follows:

(i) If the firm is operating at or above BEP, the increase in net profit will be equal to increase in contribution provided fixed costs remain constant.

Illustration 5.5

Sales Variable costs Present volume Rs. 10,000 Additional volume Rs. 1,000 6,000 600

Fixed costs Total costs Net Profit 2,000 _8,000 6002,000 400

Thus, due to additional sales, net profit will be increased by Rs. 400. The same result can be obtained by

multiplying the additional sales figure by P/V ratio (here P/V ratio is 40%), i.e.,

Rs. 1,000 x 40% = Rs. 400.

However, it is to be assumed here that selling price and variable costs, the constituents of the ratio, will remain

unchanged even for the additional volume. But if they change, the P/V ratio will also change.

(ii) If the firm is operating below the BEP, the addition to contribution reduces the loss or changes the loss into

profit.

Improvement of P/V Ratio

CIS or P/V ratio is the function of sales (value and/or volume) and variable costs, Therefore, an improvement of

the ratio will mean increasing the gap between sales and variable costs. This can be done by;

(a) increasing selling price;

(b) reducing variable costs;

(c) altering sales mixture, i.e., product having low P/V ratio will be substituted by a product with a higher ratio.

BREAK-EVEN CHART

A Break-even Chart (BEC) is a graphical representation of marginal costing or CVP analysis. It is an important

86

aid to profit planning. It has been defined as 'a chart which shows the profitability or otherwise of an undertaking

at various levels of activity and as a result indicates the point at which neither profit nor loss is made'. The BEC,

therefore, depicts the following information at various levels of activity:

1. Variable costs, fixed costs and total costs.2. Sales value.3. Profit or Loss.4. Break-even Point, i.e., the point at which total costs just equal or break-even with sales. This is the activity

point at which neither profit is made nor loss is incurred.5. Margin of Safety.

At different activity levels, the interaction of volume, selling price, variable costs and fixed costs, the relevant variables and their impact upon profit are considered simultaneously. Perhaps, in this context, a name for the break-even graph that more clearly describes its function would be profit planning chart.7

The most important use of the BEC is the ascertainment of a break-even point (BEP) from the chart, which is a valuable guide to the management. The BEP can be determined from a BEC or can be calculated as follows:

i. BEP (units) = (5.8)

ii. BEP (sales value): = (5.9)

= (5.9)

Therefore, when P/V ratio is calculated using unit contribution and unit selling price, we can write:

BEP = (5.10)

But if P/V ratio is calculated at a given level of activity, i.e., taking total sales and total contribution at that level, the BEP is computed as follows:

(5.11)

The fixed costs for the year are Rs. 80,000, variable cost per unit for the single product being made Rs. 4.

Estimated sales (at 100% capacity) for the period are 10,000 units. The number of units involved coincides with the expected volume of output. Each unit sells at Rs. 20.

BEP (units) =

or, 5000 x Rs.20 = Rs.100000

The same result can be obtained by using the last formula:

CheckRs.

Sales (5,000 units) 1,00,000Variable cost @ Rs. 4 20,000Contribution 80,000Fixed costs 80,000Profit/Loss Nil

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It should be noted that in case of a multi-product firm, P/V ratio stands for combined P/V ratio for all the products, at a particular level of activity, by applying which the break-even sales of the firm has to be computed as above. In such a case, formula (i) cannot be applied.

Illustration 5.6 From the following data, calculate the break-even sales for a company producing three products.

Product Sales Variable costRs. Rs.

X 10,000 6,000Y 5,000 2,500Z 5,000 2,000

20,000 10,500

Total fixed costs amounted to Rs. 5,700. Product X Y Z Total Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.Sales 10,000 5,000 5,000 20,000Variable cost 6,000 2,500 2,000 10,500Contribution 4,000 2,500 3,000 9,500

Break –even Sales =

= Rs.

Check :

Product Sales ratio BE Sales in Variable Variable cost Contributionprevious ratio cost ratio

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.X 50% 6,000 60% 3,600 2,400Y 25% 3,000 50% 1,500 1,500Z 25% 3,000 40% 1,200 1,800

Total 100% 12,000 6,300 5,700Fixed costs 5,700Profit or Loss Nil

Once we know the various components of break-even point, it is possible to find out missing information.

Illustration 5.7 What will be the C/S ratio and the profit in the following case?

Sales Rs. 1,00,000

Fixed cost Rs. 20,000

Break-even point Rs. 40,000

We know: BEP =

or, C/S ratio = = 0.50 or 50%

Profit = Contribution – Fixed Cost

= Rs.(100000 x 0.50) – Rs.20000 = rs.30000

Construction of a Break-even Chart

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A Break-even Chart is drawn on a graph paper. Costs and revenue are plotted on the 'Y' axis and activity or volume is plotted on the 'X' axis. 'X' axis may be expressed in a number of ways, e.g.,

(a) Percentage level of activity (plant capacity being represented by 100%),

(b) Volume in units,

(c) Standard Hours, and

(d) Sales Value.

Where, however, there are a number of products of different measuring units which require different plant capacity, it is difficult to plot them on the basis of percentage activity or volume. Here, Standard Hours may be the appropriate expression. In other cases, sales value is widely used because profit is not realized unless goods are sold. However, when sufficient data are available, it is desirable that a combination of methods of expression is used.

The following is an example of EEC drawn from the schedule below on the basis of data as in previous illustration.

Sales Fixed Variable Totalcost cost cost

Units Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.

Nil Nil 80,000 — 80,0002,500 50,000 80,000 10,000 90,0007,500 1,50,000 80,000 30,000 1,10,000

10,000 2,00,000 80,000 40,000 1,20,000

Procedure

1. Represent fixed cost Rs. 80,000 by a line parallel to 'X' axis. Plot the variable costs for different levels of

activity over fixed cost line. Join the variable cost line to fixed cost line at zero activity level. The resultant

line will represent total cost line—variable cost having been added to fixed cost.

2. Similarly, determine sales value at various levels of activity and plot them on the graph paper and join to

zero in the graph. This line will represent sales value.

3. The sales 1'ne will cut the total cost line at a point which is known as break-even point. The breakeven

sales will be determined by dropping a perpendicular to the 'X' axis from the point of intersection and

measuring the horizontal distance from the zero point to the point at which the perpendicular is drawn.

Another perpendicular to the 'Y' axis from the point of intersection will indicate (vertically) the break-even

sales value.

Interpretation

The break-even chart will give a vivid picture of profit or loss at different levels of activity. For instance, where

the sales line is above the total cost line, there is profit; where it is below the total cost line, there is a loss; and

where total cost equals total sales, there is no profit or loss.

Alternative form of a BEC

In Figure 5.2, fixed cost line has been plotted first. Alternatively, variable cost line may be plotted first and then

fixed cost line over the variable cost line. This type of presentation is more helpful to the management for

decision-making inasmuch as it shows clearly the contribution margin at any volume of sales. Further, it

appears from the chart that below the break-even point, it is the fixed cost which is not being covered fully.

Thus, it is in line with the concept of marginal costing. Unless, therefore, there is a contrary instruction, this form

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of presentation, known as the contribution break-even chart (Fig. 14.2), should be followed.

Figure 5.2 Break-even Chart

Figure 5.3 Contribution Break-even Chart.Margin of Safety

This is represented by excess sales over and above the break-even point. In the preparation of a BEC, one of the assumptions made is that production will coincide sales. Therefore, it may be said that margin of safely is also the excess production over break-even point. In the chart, it is the distance between the BEP and present sales or production. Margin of Safety (M/S) may be expressed in sales volume or value or in percentage, e.g.,

Present Break-even M/S

sales sales Rs. 2,00,000 Rs. 1,00,000 Rs. 1,00,000 or 10,000 units or 5,000 units or 5,000 units

1,00,000 or x l00

2,00,000 = 50%

The percentage form of expression is generally used. The Margin of Safety can also be calculated with the help 90

of the formula:

Illustration 5.8 (Data same as in Illustration 5.8)

M/S is an indicator of the strength of a business, i.e., a high margin will indicate that profit will be made even if there is a substantial falling off in sales of production. For instance, if the sales, in the illustration, falls by even, say, 40%, the company will still be making profits since its margin of safety is very high, i.e., 50%. On the other hand, if the margin is small, a small drop in sales or production will be a serious matter. In such a case, management may take many valuable decisions, such as:

1. increase the level of activity;2. increase the selling price;3. reduce costs—fixed and/or variable;4. substitute the existing products with more profitable products.

In inter-firm comparison, margin of safety may be used to indicate relative position of firms. For instance, consider the following statement:

Company A Company B Rs. Rs.Total Sales 2,00,000 1,00,000 Break-even Sales M/S 1,00,000 80,000

Rs. 1,00,000 20,000 or 50% or 20%

Therefore, it may be concluded that if the rate of profit earned above break-even sales is the same for company A and B, the first mentioned company is in a much stronger position than Company B.

Angle of Incidence

This is the angle between sales and total cost line (see Fig. 14.1). This angle is an indicator of profit-earning capacity over the break-even point. Therefore, the aim of the management will be to have a large angle which will indicate earning of high margin of profit once fixed overheads are covered. On the other hand, a small angle will mean that even if profits are being made, they are being made at a low rate. This in turn suggests that variable costs form a major part of cost of sales.

However, if Margin of Safety and Angle of Incidence are considered together, they will be more informative. For example, a high margin of safety with a large angle of incidence will indicate the most favourable conditions of a business or even the existence of monopoly position.

THE PROFIT/VOLUME GRAPH OR PROFIT CHART

This shows the relationship between profit and volume. The P/V graph is a simplified form of Breakeven Chart and requires the same basic data for its construction and suffers from the same limitations, (see Fig. 14,3.) A P/V graph can be constructed if any two of the following data are known:

(i) Fixed Overheads,

(ii) Profit at a given level of activity, and (iii) Break-even point.

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Figure 5.4 Profit-volume Graph

Illustration 5.9 The following data relate to a company for the year ended 31st December, 2005: Units produced: 20,000 Fixed Overheads: Rs. 50,000

Variable cost per unit: Rs. 6

Selling price per unit: Rs. 10 Prepare a P/V graph. In order to construct a graph, it is necessary to ascertain profit at the present level of activity. Thus,

Sales: 20,000 units @ Rs. 10 Rs. 2,00,000 Variable cost (@ Rs. 6 per unit) Contribution 1,20,000

80,000 Fixed Overheads 50,000 Net Profit 30,000

Procedure

This can be summarized below:

1. The graph is divided into two areas—the vertical axis above the zero line represents profit area and the vertical axis below the zero line represents the loss or fixed cost area.

2. A scale for sales on the horizontal (zero) axis is selected.3. A scale for profit and fixed cost on the vertical axis is also selected.4. Points are plotted for profits and fixed cost and they are then connected by a straight line which intersects

the sales line at the horizontal axis. The point of intersection is the break-even point.

Thus, from the graph, the following can be ascertained:

Break-even point : Rs. 1,25,000 Margin of Safety : Rs. 75,000

A profit-volume graph may be used for a variety of purposes, viz., determining break-even point and showing the impact on profits of selling at different prices for a product, forecasting costs and profits resulting from changes in sales volume, showing the deviations of actual profit from anticipated profit, relative profitability under conditions of high or low demand for a product, etc. Two such uses are shown below.

(a) Relative profitability under conditions of high and low demands: When two firms are identical in some respects and operate in the same marketplace facing the same kind of competition, their profitability under conditions of changing demand may be compared using the profit graph. In reality, 'high-tech' company will have a higher amount of fixed cost and hence would be exposed to a greater degree of operating risk. The 'low-tech' company, having lower amount of fixed cost, would have to face lower degree of operating risk in the event of fall in demand.

Illustration 5.10 Two businesses A. B. Ltd and C. D. Ltd sell the same type of product in the same type of

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market. Their budgeted profit and loss accounts for the year 2005 are as follows:

Rs. A. B. Ltd Rs. Rs. C. D. Ltd Rs.Sales 1,50,000 1,50,000Less: Variable cost 1,20,000 1,00,000Fixed cost 15,000 35,000 1,35,000 — — — — — 1,35,000Net budgeted profit 15,000 15,000

You are required to:

(a) calculate the break-even point of each business, and(b) state which business is likely to earn greater profits in conditions of—

(i) heavy demand for the product; (ii) low demand for the product.

(a) A. B. Ltd C. D. Ltd

Rs. Rs. Sales 1,50,000 1,50,000 Less: Variable cost 1,20,000 1,00,000 Contribution 30,000 50,000

P/Vratio(§x100 V S ) 20% 33 1% Break-even Sales (Fixed cost + P/V ratio) Rs. 15,000 Rs. 35,000

20% 33--% = Rs. 75,000 = Rs. 1,05,000 Margin of Safety (Present sales - Break-even sales or Profit 4- P/V ratio) Rs. 75,000 Rs. 45,000

(b) Although total costs of both the firms are the same, the fixed costs of A. B. Ltd are lower than that of C. D. Ltd. As a result, the break-even point in the former case is reached sooner (i.e., at a lower level of activity), as will be evident from the following graph.

Figure 5.5 Comparative Profit-volume Graphs

It appears from the graph that for sales below Rs. 1,50,000, A. B. Ltd will earn greater profit than C. D. Ltd once break-even point has been reached. At volume of Rs. 1,50,000, both will earn same profit. Since the rate of profit-earning in case of C. D. Ltd is greater than that of A. B. Ltd (vide angles of incidence), for volume above Rs. 1,50,000, C. D. Ltd will earn more profit than A. B. Ltd. Thus, in case of heavy demand, C, D. Ltd will earn greater profits while A. B. Ltd will earn greater profits in condition of low demand for the product.

(b) Profit chart for different product prices: The effect on break-even point and profit of charging different prices for a product can be seen from the profit chart. Since different prices are being compared, the use of units is desirable.

A profit chart is shown in Figure 5.6. The chart is based on the following information:

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Variable cost per unit : Rs. 4

Fixed cost (total) : Rs. 10,000

Alternative selling prices of a product : Rs. 8, Rs. 10 and Rs. 12

Maximum sales units : 3,000.

Figure 5.6 Profit-volume Graph at Different Prices.

MULTI-PRODUCT BREAK-EVEN CHART

When a company deals in a number of products, it is possible, and indeed desirable, to draw a break-even chart for the company as a whole (i.e., considering all the products in one chart). In such a case, the breakeven point is where the average contribution line cuts the fixed cost-line (Fig. 14.6), assuming proportions of sales-mix remain unchanged.

Figure 5.7 Multi-Product Break-even Chart.

The procedure for drawing up a multi-product break-even chart may be summarized as follows:

1. Calculate P/V ratio for each product and arrange the products in descending order on the basis of P/V ratios.

2. 'X'-axis would represent sales value while Y-axis would represent contribution and fixed cost,

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3. Plot the total fixed cost line.

4. Take the product having the highest P/V ratio and plot its contribution against sales; then take the product having second highest P/V ratio and plot cumulative contribution against cumulative sales; the process will end with plotting by the product having the lowest P/V ratio.

5. Obtain the average contribution slope by joining the origin to the end of the last line plotted. The break-even point is the point of intersection of average contribution line and fixed cost line.

Illustration 5.11 ABC Co. Ltd produces and sells three products—Y, X and Z. From the following information relating to these products for a period, draw up a break-even chart to determine the breakeven point:

Y X Z Total Sales (Rs.) 25,000 40,000 35,000 1,00,000

Variable costs (Rs.) 15,000 20,000 28,000 63,000 Fixed costs (Rs.) 18,500

The P/V ratio of each product should be calculated first, and then in order of importance of P/V ratios a table for cumulative sales and contribution should be prepared and plotted on the graph paper.

P/V ratio : X 100

Product Y : (10,000/25,000) x 100 = 40%

X : (20,000/40,000) x 100 = 50%

Z : (7,000/35,000) x 100 = 20%

Sales ContributionProduct P/V ratio Productwise Cumulative Productwise Cumulative

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.X 50% 40,000 40,000 20,000 20,000

Y 40% 25,000 65,000 30,000 30,000Z 20% 35,000 1,00,000 7,000 37,000

Thus, the break-even sales can be read from the chart as Rs. 50,000.

Note: The break-even sales determined graphically can be verified by applying the formula:

B/E sales =

=

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREAK-EVEN CHART

Different break-even charts may be prepared to suit different purposes. Some of the most common types of charts (in addition to those already discussed) are:

1. Detailed break-even chart2. Cash break-even chart3. Control break-even chart4. Break-even chart to determine optimum volume.

Break-even charts with the exception of the last-mentioned one are discussed below, one by one, in a nutshell. Determination of optimum volume and selling price through break-even chart is shown later on (vide Section II).

Detailed Break-even Chart

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In this type, details of variable costs—direct materials, direct labour, variable overheads—are plotted in the graph. In addition, profit appropriations—income tax, preference dividend, equity dividend and retentions—are shown.

If the chart contains only details of appropriations of profit, it is called Profit Appropriations Breakeven Chart.

Detailed analysis, particularly of various elements of variable costs, helps management in both policy decisions and control functions.

A detailed break-even chart is shown in Figure 5.8. The chart is based on the following information:

Marginal cost per unit: Rs.Direct Material 2 Direct Labour 1 Variable Factory Overheads 1

Variable Selling and Distribution Overheads 1 (see p. 559 for other information.) Rs. 5

Figure 5.8 Detailed Break-even Chart

Fixed cost (total) : Rs. 10,000.

Income-tax : 40% of profit

Dividends : Rs. 2,000

Maximum Sates : 4,000 @ Rs. 10 per unit.

Cash Break-even Chart

In this type, fixed costs are divided into two groups:

1. Fixed costs requiring cash outlay during the period covered by the chart (e.g., salaries, rent, rates, insurance, etc.)

2. Fixed costs not requiring immediate cash, e.g., depreciation, deferred expenses such as research and development, advertisement, etc.

The former (type 1) is shown at the base, i.e., parallel to X-axis like the conventional break-even chart while

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fixed costs not requiring immediate cash outlay (type 2) are shown last, i.e., after variable costs. Variable costs, which are assumed to be payable in cash during the period, are plotted as usual. If, however, credit transactions are involved here, the portion of variable costs not requiring immediate payment should be treated like type 2 fixed costs.

Cash break-even charts are used in cash flow analysis and are extremely useful to enterprises running short of required solvency. It is a valuable guide in both short-run investment and financing decisions.

A cash break-ever chart is shown in the figure. The chart is based on the information given overleaf.

Figure 5.9 Cash Break-even chart

Sales 4,000 units @ Rs. 10 Variable cost per unit Rs. 5Fixed costs: Rs. Requiring immediate cash payment 5,000 Not requiring cash payment (Depreciation) 3,000 Rs. 8,000

Tax: 50% of profit

Preference Dividends: Rs. 2,000.

Control Break-even Chart

When Budgetary Control and Marginal Costing are combined, break-even chart comparing budgeted and actual costs, sales, profits and break-even points is prepared. By pinpointing deviations between budgeted/standard and actual figures, it serves as an extremely useful tool in management control and is known as control break-even chart. But detailed analysis of deviations or variances according to originating causes and also into controllable and non-controllable portions is not possible graphically. Such analysis should, however, supplement the control chart. A control break-even chart is shown in Figure 5.10.

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Figure 5.10 Control Break-even chart

ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS OF A BREAK-EVEN CHART

Advantages

1. It is simple to compile and understand. Facts presented to the management in a graphical way are understood by them more easily than those contained in the Profit and Loss Account, Operating Statements, Cost Schedules, etc.

2. A break-even chart is a useful tool to guide management in studying the relationships of cost, volume and profits. The chart may depict the effect on profits of changes in

(a) selling price,(b) variable cost,(c) fixed costs, and/or(d) volume of sales

so that management may take many important decisions.

3. The strength of the business and the profit-earning capacity can be ascertained from the break-even chart by studying margin of safety and angle of incidence together. Many policy decisions, such as

(a) increase the activity level,(b) reduce the costs,(c) increase the selling price, and(d) substitute the existing products by more profitable products, etc.

may be taken on the basis of margin of safety and angle of incidence in the break-even chart,

4. The effect of alternative product mixes on profits can also be shown in break-even charts. This will help in selecting the most profitable product-mix.

Limitations

In the simple chart, we have seen that the cost line and sales line look like straight lines. This is possibly due to a number of assumptions mentioned earlier. But, in practice, a break-even chart is unlikely to be a series of straight lines. If that is so, there might be several break-even points at different levels of activity. Therefore, a break-even chart can be used only if the following limitations are kept in mind.

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1. The break-even chart shows a static picture and hence may become out-of-date if the assumptions or conditions prevailing change after it is being made. For instance, it is assumed that selling price, fixed costs and unit variable costs will remain constant at different levels of activity. But competition, demand factor, efficiency in production, policy decisions, etc., may bring about changes in selling price, unit variable cost and total fixed costs. In actual practice, therefore, a break-even chart is quite unlikely to look like a straight-line graph; it may take the form of Figure 5.11. Thus, a typical breakeven chart (i.e., where unit variable cost and selling price do not remain constant and fixed cost rises in steps) may show a number of break-even points. But there will be only one optimum production level where profits will be higher than at any other level. This optimum level is that point where the gap between the sales line and the total cost line is maximum. At this point, marginal costs equal marginal revenue.

2. Break-even analysis related to the total costs and sales of a company which manufactures a variety of products will not be explanatory of the position in regard to any one product, The effect of various product-mixes on profits cannot be studied from a single break-even chart. But a profit graph can overcome this objection.

3. A break-even chart does not generally take into consideration capital employed which is one of the vital factors in many policy decisions, Therefore, policy decisions dependent wholly on break-even

Figure 5.11 Break-even Chart

When fact rather than theory is considered, a break-even chart is unlikely to be a series of straight lines. It would look like the above chart and it would not be surprising to see even several break-even points at different levels of output and sales.

chart may not be safe and reliable. But even in break-even analysis, it is possible to include, for the purpose of policy decisions, additional calculation showing the interaction of the following ratios:

IMPACT ON PROFITS DUE TO CHANGES IN VARIOUS FACTORS

Marginal costing or CVP analysis is used for studying the results of various changes in factors other than volume, such as:

• changes in fixed costs;• changes in variable costs;• changes in selling price; and• changes in sales mixture.

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The effect on profits due to above changes can be shown in a simplified way in a break-even chart. However, we shall study the effect of above changes on:

1. Break-even Point,2. Margin of Safety, and3. Profit Volume Ratio.

Change in Fixed Costs

A change in fixed costs will change the break-even point by an equal percentage provided variable costs and selling price remain constant. Once break-even point is changed, it will also affect the margin of safety but the effect will be reverse as compared to break-even point, i.e., if BEP comes down, it will increase the M/S and vice versa. But a change in fixed costs will have nothing to do with the P/V Ratio.

Illustration 5.12 (Data same as in Illustration above) Fixed costs increase by 10%.

Break-even Point = = 5500 units, or Rs.110000

Margin of Safety = Rs.200000 – 110000 = Rs.90000 or 45%

P/V Ratio =

Change in Variable Cost

A change in variable cost without any corresponding change in selling price and fixed costs will change the BEP, M/S and P/V ratio.

Illustration 5.13 Variable costs increase by 10%

BEP = x 20 = Rs.102564. M/S = Rs.200000 – 102564 = Rs.97436 or 49%.

P/V Ratio = x 100 = 78%.

Change in Selling Price

Similarly, a change in selling price, without a corresponding change in variable costs and fixed costs, will change the BEP, M/S and P/V ratio.

Illustration 5.14 10% decrease in selling price.

BEP =

M/S = Rs.180000 – 102857 = Rs.77143 or 43%.

P/V Ratio =

Thus, 10% decrease in selling price has a greater effect on BEP. M/S and P/V Ratio than 10% increase in variable cost.

Change in Sales Mixture

Where sales revenue is a composite figure consisting of sales of several types of products having different individual P/V ratios, the overall P/V ratio will change with changes in the sales mixture. In such a case, even if budgeted sales volume is met, the actual profit will be lower than that budgeted if the proportion of low-margin products sold exceeds that anticipated. Thus, change in sales mixture will also change the BEP and hence the M/S.

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Illustration 5.15 Assuming the budgeted sales of Rs. 6,000 represent sales of four products—A, B, C and D—which are expected to be sold in the mixture below, profit of Rs. 630, a break-even point of Rs. 4,200, a margin of safety of Rs. 1,800 (or 30%) and a P/V ratio of 35% will result as follows;

A B C D Total Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.Sales 2,000 2,500 1,000 500 6,000 Marginal Cost 1,200 1,700 800 200 3,900 Contribution 800 800 200 300 2,100

Fixed Costs 1,470

Profit 630

P/V Ratio {%) 40 32 20 60 35

% of total sales 33 100

If, however, sales should shift towards a larger proportion of the products carrying lower P/V ratios, the result would be as follows:

A B C D Total

% of sales changed to 25% 36 1% 33-% 5% 100%

3 3

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.

Sales 1,500 2,200 2,000 300 6,000

Marginal Cost 900 1,496 1,600 120 4,116

Contribution 600 704 400 180 1,884

Fixed Costs 1,470

Profit 414

P/V Ratio (%) 40 32 20 60 31.4

Budgeted Actual Variance (unfav.)Contribution Rs. 2,100 1,884 216P/V Ratio 35.0% 31.4% 3.6%

Two other important areas of cost-volume-profit analysis are to find out:

(i) volume necessary to achieve a desired profit, and (ii) effects of multiple changes upon sales.

These are discussed in brief.

Required Sales Volume to Achieve a Desired Profit

Very often, management may fix up sales target for a period based on a desired amount of profit. In such a case, the desired sales volume would be determined as follows:

Fixed costs + Desired profit (before tax) Unit contribution

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Illustration 5.16

Unit selling price Rs. 10

Marginal costs per unit Rs. 6

Total fixed cost p.a. Rs. 10,000

Capacity 8,000 units p.a.

What would be volume of sales for a desired profit (before tax) of Rs. 6,000 p.a.?

Required sales =

When desired profit is taken after tax, the above formula has to be modified as follows:

Illustration 5.17 Assuming 40% tax rate in Illustration 14.18, the required sales volume would be computed thus:

It may be mentioned that to find out sales value needed to achieve a profit (before or after tax), the above formulae should be adjusted to divide by the P/V ratio instead of unit contribution.

Effects of Multiple Changes

The management of a firm may sometimes be confronted with multiple changes in its environment. It may be by way of reduction in unit selling price to take advantage of increased sales volume, some changes in production methods which may again reduce unit variable cost but increase fixed cost substantially, and so on. Even in such cases, the required sales to earn a desired amount of after-tax profit may be computed by bringing all these changes together simultaneously by the formula:

Required sales volume (in value) =

But when desired profit is given as a percentage of total sales which are required to be determined, we have to form an equation based on the basic principles of marginal costing and solve it to arrive at the results.

Illustration 5.18Unit selling price Rs. 20 Unit variable cost Fixed cost p. a. Rs. 33.750 Corporate tax rate 40%

Required;

(a) What will be sales to earn a 15% return on sales before tax?

(b) What will be sales to earn a 15% return on sales after tax?

(a) Sales = Variable expenses + Fixed expenses + Target profit Let desired sales = X

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Statement of Profit Sales Rs. 96,429 Less: Variable Costs (40%) 38,572

Contribution 57,857 Less: Fixed cost 33,750

Profit before tax 24,107 Less: Tax (40%) 9,643

Profit after tax (15% of sales) 14,464

USE OF PROBABILITIES

Under conditions of risk and uncertainty, probabilities may be used to estimate the likelihood that a 'critical' outcome might or might not happen. One of the obvious examples of this is to estimate the probability that an organization will at least break-even with its sales.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MARGINAL COSTING

The possible advantages of marginal costing, as compared to that of absorption costing, are stated below.

1. Greater control over costs is possible. This is so because fixed costs are excluded from product costs and management can concentrate on marginal cost which is a constant ratio.

2. It is an aid to management in taking many valuable decisions. Under marginal costing, data are presented in a manner revealing marginal costs and contribution that it facilitates making policy decisions in many problems, such as:(i) introduction of a product;(ii) quoting selling prices and tendering for contracts in times of competition; (iii) whether to make or buy; (iv) reduction of prices in times of competition or depression;(v) selecting the most profitable product or sales-mix; (vi) alternative methods to be employed in manufacturing; (vii) limiting factors; (viii) utilization of spare capacity; (ix) profit planning—break-even charts, profit-volume graphs may be used in profit planning;(x) assessment of capital projects to be undertaken; and (xi) selection of the most profitable level of activity, etc.

3. For all practical purposes, marginal costs will be the product costs and hence there will be no vitiation of costs due to change in level of performance as marginal costs will tend to be a constant ratio. Under absorption costing, unit cost will vary depending upon the level of activity and this may lead to confusion.

4. Closing stocks of finished goods and work-in-progress are valued at marginal costs. Apart from simplicity in the valuation of stocks, this will lead to greater accuracy in arriving at profits.

5. The marginal cost statements are understood by management more easily than those produced under absorption costing. For instance, the foremen will be more interested in those costs which are variable and which can be controlled by their actions. It is, therefore, very simple to understand and can be combined with Standard Costing.

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6. Since fixed costs are excluded, it eliminates the strenuous task of allocating, apportioning and absorbing overheads. As a result, there will be no under- or over-recovery of fixed overheads.

The oft-mentioned disadvantages are:

1. It is difficult to analyze overheads into fixed and variable elements because many expenses considered to be variable or fixed may not be exactly the same at various levels of activity. Moreover, in marginal costing, there is no place of semi-variable or semi-fixed overheads which are to be segregated into fixed and variable elements. The segregation of semi-variable costs is also a difficult task.

2. There is the danger of taking policy decisions on the basis of information presented under marginal costing technique. For example, in the long run, selling price should not be fixed simply by looking at contribution as it may result in losses or low profits. The other important factors such as fixed costs, capital employed, etc., should also be taken into consideration in fixing selling prices.

3. There is also the danger of valuing finished stocks, work-in-progress, transfer from one process to another, etc. at marginal costs only. The arguments against valuing stocks at marginal costs may be summarized as follows:

(a) In case of loss by fire, full loss cannot be recovered from the insurance company.

(b) Profits will be lower than that shown under absorption costing and hence may be objected to by the tax authorities.

(c) For Balance Sheet purpose, closing stocks are to be valued at lower of market price and cost. Marginal costs may not be acceptable to the auditor as true costs for this purpose.

(d) Circulating assets will be understated in the Balance Sheet and thus the Balance Sheet will not exhibit a 'true and fair view' of the state of affairs.

4. Cost control can also be achieved with the help of other techniques such as Standard Costing and Budgetary Control. In Standard Costing, volume variance will show the effect of change in output on fixed costs and hence there will be no vitiation of costs.

Problems and Solutions

Problem 1 (Marginal vs Absorption Costing)

The following data have been extracted from the budgets and standard costs of Hewitson Ltd, a company which manufactures and sells a single product.

Selling price £ per unit

45.00 Direct materials cost 10.00 Direct wages cost 4.00 Variable overheads cost 2.50

Fixed production overhead costs are budgeted at £ 400,000 per annum. Normal production levels are thought to be 320,000 units per annum.

Budgeted selling and distribution costs are as follows:

Variables £ 1.50 per unit sold Fixed £ 80,000 per annum

Budgeted administration costs are £ 120,000 per annum.

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The following pattern of sales and production is expected during the first six months of 2005:

January—March April— June Sales (units) 60,000 90,000 Production (units) 70,000 100,000 There is to be no stock on 1 January, 2005. You are required to:

(a) prepare profit statements for each of the two quarters, in a columnar format, using

(i) marginal costing; and (ii) absorption costing.

(b) reconcile the profits for the quarter January-March 2005 in your answer to (a) above.

(c) write up the fixed production overhead control account for the quarter to 31 March, 2005, using absorption costing principles. Assume that the fixed production overhead costs incurred amounted to £ 102,400 and the actual production was 74,000 units.

Solution

(a) (i)

Marginal Costing Profit Statement

q/e 31 March, 2005 q/e 30 June, 2005

£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000Sales (@ £ 45) 2,700 4,050Less: Variable cost of sales Opening stock _ 165

Production costs (@ 10 + 4 + 2.5 = 16.5) 1155 1,650

1,815 Less: Closing stock (@ 16.5) 165 330 990 1,485 Variable selling and distribution costs 90 1,080 135 1,620 Contribution 1,620 2,430

MA Less: Fixed costs X (400 +80+120) \12 )

Profit

150 150

1470 2280

(ii) Absorption Costing Profit Statement

q/e 31 March, 2005

q/e 30 June, 2005

£'000 £'000

£'000 £'000

Sales (@ £ 45) 2,700 4,050 Less: Cost of sales Opening stock — 177.5 Production costs [@ £ 17-75 (Wl)] 1,242.5 1,775

1,952.5 Less: Closing stock (@ 17.75) 177.5

1,065 355 1,597.5

Gross Profit 1,635 2,452.5 Less: Under-recovery of

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overheads (W2) 12.5 —Add: Over-recovery of overheads (W3) — 25

1,622.5 2,477.5 Less: Selling and distribution cost Variable 90 135

Fixed |ix80| 20 20

U Administration costs

P-X120)

U 30140 30 185 Profit for the quarter 1,482.5 2,292.5

Workings:

(Wl)

£ Total absorption cost per unit = Direct materials 10.00 + Direct wages 4.00

+ Variable overheads (£400,000 [320,000 units 2.50

+ Fixed overheads 1.25 17.75

(W2) Normal quarterly production level = - x 320,000 = 80,000 units 4

Actual first quarter production = 70,000 units .-. Under-recovered fixed production

overheads - 10,000 x £ 1.25

= £ 12,500 (W3) Actual second quarter production = 100,000 units Over-recovered fixed production overheads = 20,000 x £ 1.25 = £ 25,000

(b) Reconciliation of Profits Reported for the Quarter Ended 31 March, 2005

£'000 Profit as per marginal costing 1,470

Add: Fixed production overheads c/f in closing stock (written-off in marginal costing, deferred in absorption costing) 10,000 units x £ 1.25/unit 12.5 Profit as per absorption costing 1,482.5

(c) Fixed Production Overhead Control Account

£'000 £'000Actual overheads incurred 102.4 Fixed overheads to work-in-progress 92.5 (74,000 x 1.25) - Variance to Profit and Loss A/c 9.9

102.4 102.4

Problem 2 (Overall Break-even Point and Productwise break-up)

Raj Ltd manufactures three products—X, Y and Z. The unit selling prices of these products are Rs. 100, Rs. 160 and Rs. 75 respectively. The corresponding unit variable costs are Rs. 50, Rs. 80 and Rs. 30. The proportions (quantitywise) in which these products are manufactured and sold are 20%, 30% and 50% respectively. The total fixed costs are Rs. 14,80,000.

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Calculate overall break-even quantity and the productwise break-up of such quantity.

Solution

Let Q be the overall break-even point of Raj Ltd.

Then the productwise break-up of overall break-even point in units would be:

X = 0.200; Y = 0.30Q and Z = 0.50Q.

From productwise unit contribution and total contribution at break-even point (= fixed cost), we can find productwise break-up of overall break-even quantity as follows:

X Y Z Rs. Rs. Rs.Unit selling price 100 160 75Less: Unit variable cost 50 80 30Unit contribution 50 80 45

Contribution at break-even point 10 Q 24Q 22.5Q (Rs. 50 x 0.202) (Rs. 80 x 0.300 (Rs. 45 x 0.500

At BEP : Contribution = Fixed Cost Hence, 100 + 24Q + 22.50 = Rs. 14,80,000

Rs. 14,80,000 or, Q = 26195units (overall break-even point)

Productwise break-up of break-even quantity:

Product X : 26,195 X 0,20 = 5,239 units

Y : 26,195 x 0.30 = 7,859 units Z : 26,195 x 0.50 = 13,097 units

Problem 3

(P/V Ratio, BEP and M/S)

The following details are obtained from XYZ Co. Ltd for a calendar year:

Present production and sales: 8.000 units

Selling price per unit Rs. 20.00

Variable cost per unit:

Direct materials Rs. 5.00

Direct labour Rs. 2.50

Variable overheads 100% of direct labour cost

Fixed cost (total) Rs. 40,000

(a) Calculate P/V ratio, break-even point and margin of safety from the above data.

(b) Find the effect on P/V ratio, break-even point and margin of safety of changes in each of the following:(i) 10% increase in selling price;

(ii) 10% increase in variable cost;

(iii) 10% decrease in. fixed cost; and

(iv) 10% decrease in sales volume.

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Solution

Particulars (a) (b)

(0 (ii) (iii) (iv)

P/V Ratio (Contribution Sales)

10 1

20 2

or 50%

12 6 22 == 11

or 54.55%

— or 45% 20 No effect on P/V ratio

No effect on P/V ratio

Break-even

Sales (Fixed Cost P/V Ratio)

Rs. 40,000

Rs. 80,000

Rs. 40,000

X 6

Rs. 73,333

Rs. 40,000

20 _

Rs. 88,888

Rs. 36,000

x = Rs. 72,000

No effect on BEP

Margin of Safety (Total Sales - BE Sales)

Rs. 1,60,000 - 80,000 = Rs. 80,000 or 50%

Rs. 1,76,000 - 73,333 = Rs. 1,02,667 or 58.33%

Rs. 1,60,000

- 88,888 = Rs. 71,112 or 44.44%

Rs. 1,60,000

- 72,000 = Rs. 88,000

or 55%

Rs. (7,200 x 20) - 80,000 = Rs, 64,000 or 44.44%

Problem 4 (Target Sales with a given C/S Ratio)

Total Surveys Limited conducts market research surveys for a variety of clients. Extracts from its records are as follows:

2004 2005 Total costs £ 6 million £ 6.615 million

Activity in 2005 was 20% greater than in 2004 and there was general cost inflation of 5%. Activity in 2006 is expected to be 25% greater than in 2005 and general cost inflation is expected to be 4%.

Requirements:

(a) Derive the expected variable and fixed costs for 2006.

(b) Calculate the target sales required for 2006 if Total Surveys Limited wishes to achieve a contribution to sales ratio of 80%.

Solution

(a) Before using the 'high and low' method on the data given to estimate the variable element due to change in activity level, the data must be adjusted onto a comparable inflation basis. Thus, the 2004 cost will initially be inflated by 5% to convert it to '2005 £s':

£6 million x 1.05 = £ 6.3 million

Change in total (adjusted) cost from 2004 to 2005 = £(6.615 - 6.3)m = £ 315,000

This is attributable to a 20% increase in activity, i.e., the variable cost for 100% activity

(2004 level) = £ 315,000/0.2 = £ 1.575 million (in 2005 £s), giving a variable cost for 2005 =

£ 1.575 m x 1.2 = £ 1.89 million.

Thus, the variable cost for 2006, taking account of a further 25% increase in activity and 4% inflation, would.be:

= 1.89 m x 1.25 x 1.04 = £ 2.457 million.

Fixed cost for 2005 = Total cost - Variable cost = £(6.615 - £ 1.89) m = £ 4.725 million. Thus, the fixed cost for 2006, taking account of further 4% inflation, would be:

= £ 4.725 m x 1.04 = £ 4.914 million.

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Problem 5 (P/V Ratio, BEP and Target Profit and Sales)

The following data are obtained from the records of a company:

First year Second year

Rs. Rs.Sales 80,000 90.000Profit 10,000 14,000

Calculate:

(a) P/V ratio;

(b) break-even point;

(c) profit or loss when sales amount to Rs. 50,000; and

(d) sales required to earn a profit of Rs. 19,000.

Solution

Sales Profit Rs. Rs. (a) Second year 90,000 14,000 First year 80,000 10,000 Change 10,000 4,000

Assuming that the change in fixed cost is nil, the marginal cost equation can be used as follows:

S-V =F + P 10,000 - V = 0 + 4,000 V = 6,000

C = F + P

or, F = C - P

Thus, F = 40% of Rs. 80,000 - 10,000

= Rs. 32,000 - 10,000 = Rs. 22,000 Alternatively, F = 40% of Rs. 90,000 - 14,000

= Rs. 36,000 - 14,000 = Rs. 22,000

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(c) Sales Rs. 50,000 P/V ratio 40%

Contribution = 40% of 50,000 = Rs. 20,000 We know:

C =F + P

Rs. 20,000 = 22,000 + P or, P = (-) Rs. 2,000.

When sales are Rs. 50,000, loss would be Rs. 2,000.

(d) To earn a profit of Rs. 19,000, required contribution:

Rs. 22,000 + 19,000 = Rs. 41,000 [ v C = F + P]

Problem 6 (BEP of Pair of Plants)

Find the cost break-even points between each pair of plants whose cost functions are:

Plant A = Rs. 6,00,000 + Rs. 12X

Plant B = Rs. 9,00,000 + Rs. I0X

Plant C = Rs. 15,00,000 + Rs. 8X

(where X is the number of units produced)

Solution It is assumed that the selling price per unit is the same between each pair of plants. Then, cost

break-even points between each pair of plant are as follows:

Plants A and B:

Rs. 6,00,000 + Rs. 12X= Rs. 9,00,000 + Rs. I0X

12X - 10*= 9,00,000 - 6,00,000

X= 1,50,000 units

Plant A is better for the output below 1,50,000 units since its fixed cost is lower than that of Plant B.

Plants B and C:

Rs. 9,00,000 + Rs. 10X= Rs. 15,00,000 + Rs. 8X

X = 3,00,000 units

Plant B is better for the output below 3,00,000 units. Plants A and C:

Rs. 6,00,000 + Rs. 12X= Rs. 15,00,000 + Rs. 8X 12X - 8X= 15,00,000 - 6,00,000 X = 2,25,000 units

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Plant A is better for the output below 2,25,000 units and Plant C is better beyond 2,25,000 units. Reconciliation

—Plants A and B:

Selling Price Rs. 16 per unit (Wl)

Particulars A B

Per unit Amount Per unit Amount (Rs.) (Rs. lakhs) (Rs.) (Rs. lakhs)

Sales 1,50,000 units 16.00 24.00 16.00 24.00Variable cost 12.00 18.00 10.00 15.00Contribution 4.00 6.00 6.00 9.00

Fixed cost 6.00 9.00Profit Nil Nil

Selling Price Rs. 13 per unit (W2)

Particulars B CPer unit (Rs.) Amount

(Rs./lakhs)Per unit (Rs.) Amount

(Rs./lakhs)

Sales 3,00,000 units 13.00 39.00 13.00 39.00Variable cost 10.00 30.00 8.00 24.00Contribution 3.00 9.00 5.00 15.00

Fixed cost 9.00 15.00Profit Nil Nil

Workings:

1. At BEP, Total costs = Total sales.

Sales for 1,50,000 units = Rs. 6,00,000 + Rs, 12 x 1,50,000 = Rs. 24,00,000. Selling Price per unit = Rs. 24,00,000 -f 1,50,000 = Rs. 16.

2. Similarly, Selling Price per unit = = Rs.13.

Problem 7 (Profitability of Alternative Machines)

A company has the option of buying one machine. Two machines are available, Machine E and Machine F. From the information given below, calculate (a) the break-even point for each; (b) the level of sales at which both are equally profitable, and (c) the range of sales at which one is more profitable than the other:

Machine E Machine F

Output p.a. (units) 10,000 10,000Fixed costs p.a. (Rs.) 30,000 16,000Profit at full capacity (Rs.) 30,000 24,000

Both the machines will produce identical products. The annual market demand for such product is 10,000 units @ Rs. 10 per unit.

SolutionMachine E Machine F

Sales (10,000 @ Rs. 10) Rs. 1,00,000 Rs. 1,00,000

Contribution Rs. 60,000 Rs. 40,000

(C = F + P)

P/V ratio 60% 40%

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(a) Break-even sales Rs. 50,000 Rs. 40,000

or, 5,000 or, 4,000

units units

Contribution per unit Rs. 6 Rs. 4

Variable cost per unit Rs. 4 Rs. 6

(b) Unit selling price of the products produced by either of the machines being the same, both machines will be equally profitable at that level of activity where total cost (fixed plus variable) of production produced by each machine exactly equals.

Let X be the number of units where both the machines are equally profitable. .'. In case of Machine E, total costs would be;

4X + 30,000

While in case of Machine F, it would be:

6X + 16,000

Since at this level of output, total cost of production by each machine will be the same,

4X + 30,000 = 6X + 16,000X = 7,000 units.

Thus, at 7,000 units, both the machines will be equally profitable.

(c) The break-even point of Machine F is 4,000 units while it is 5,000 for Machine E. At 7,000 units, both the machines are equally profitable. Thus, Machine F is more profitable at an output range of 4,000 to 6,999. The P/V ratio of Machine E is greater than that of F. Therefore, above 7,000 units, the rate of profit-earning by E would be greater than that of F. Thus, E would be more profitable at an output range of 7,001 to 10,000 units.

SECTION II

Marginal Costing and Management Decisions

APPLICATION OF MARGINAL COSTING

The concepts of marginal costing have been discussed in the previous section. How the various concepts may be applied to serve the day-to-day needs of management in taking many strategic decisions will be illustrated in this section. The following are some of such important areas.

Diversification of Products

Sometimes, a product may be proposed to be introduced to the existing product or products to utilize idle facilities, to capture a new market, or for any other purpose. A decision has, therefore, to be taken as to the profitability of the new product.

The new product may be manufactured if it is capable of contributing something towards fixed costs and profit after meeting its variable costs of sales. Fixed costs are not taken into consideration on the assumption that these costs will not change or, in other words, the product can be manufactured by the existing resources, manpower, etc. But for taking decision in this matter, if the cost data are presented under total cost method, it may appear that the new product is not at all profitable; instead, the old product may appear to be more profitable owing to arbitrary apportionment of fixed costs.

Illustration 5.19 The following data are available in respect of Product X produced by ABC Co. Ltd.112

Rs.Sales 50,000 Direct Materials 20,000 Direct Labour 10,000 Variable Overheads

5,000

Fixed Overheads 10,000

The company now proposes to introduce a new Product Z so that sales may be increased by Rs. 10,000, There will be no increase in fixed costs and the estimated variable costs of Product Z are: Materials Rs. 4,800; Labour Rs. 2,200; and Overheads Rs. 1,400. Advise whether Product Z will be profitable or not

Under absorption costing method Product X

(i) Existing position Rs.

Direct materials 20,000

Direct labour 10,000

Variable overheads 5,000

Fixed overheads Tolal cost 10,000

45,000

Sales Profit 50,000

5,000

(11) Proposed position

Product X Product Z Total Rs. Rs. Rs.Direct materials 20,000 4,800 24,800 Direct labour 10,000 2,200 12,200 Variable overheads 5,000 1,400 6,400 Fixed overheads (apportioned on the basis of sales value) 8,333 1,667 10,000 Total cost 43,333 10,067 53,400 Sales 50,000 10,000 60,000

Profil/(-) Loss 6,667 (-)67 6,600

The above statement will show that Product X has now become more profitable (its cost having been reduced from Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 43,333) and that the entire profit is earned by Product X while Product Z will incur a loss of Rs. 67. But if the data are presented under marginal costing technique as follows, the position will be quite different.

Product X Rs. Product Z Rs. Total Rs.

Direct materials 20,000 4,800 24,800 Direct labour 10,000 2,200 12,200 Prime cost 30,000 7,000 37,000 Variable overheads Marginal cost 5,000 1,400 6,400

35,000 8,400 43,400 Sales 50,000 10,000 60,000

Contribution 15,000 1,600 16,600 Fixed overheads 10,000 Profit 6,600

Thus, it is clear that with the introduction of Product Z there will be no change in the profitability of Product X and that Product Z is also yielding a contribution of Rs. 1,600 towards fixed costs and profit. Therefore, Product Z may be introduced assuming that the capacity that will be utilized for Product Z cannot otherwise be more profitably utilized.

Where, however, introduction of a product is associated with 'specific' or 'identifiable fixed costs', such costs

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should be deducted from contribution of the proposed product for the purpose of taking decisions. Thus, in such a case, fixed costs will be divided into two groups: specific, i.e., which will have bearing on the decision, and general, i.e., which is expected to remain constant and hence has nothing to do with the proposed decision (see Closing down or suspending activities post).

Fixation of Setting Prices

It is one of the principal functions of modern business management. Product-pricing is necessary:

1. under normal circumstances;2. in times of competition and/or trade depression;3. in accepting additional orders for utilizing spare capacity; and4. in exporting, etc.

In majority of the cases, marginal costing will be of great help to the price-fixer. However, price under normal circumstances for a long period should be preferably based upon total costs. Of course, it can also be based upon marginal costs if a 'high margin' is added to marginal cost to contribute towards fixed costs and profits. When marginal costing technique is used for pricing, the principle that should govern is that price should be equal to marginal costs plus a certain amount; the amount to be added will vary depending upon demand and supply, competition, nature and variety of products, policy of pricing, and other related factors. If the price is equal to marginal costs, the amount of loss will be equivalent to total fixed costs. The figure for loss will be the same, or even lower, if production is discontinued. Therefore, even for a short period, selling price should be ordinarily higher than marginal cost. But pricing at or below marginal costs may be considered desirable for a shorter period in certain special circumstances, such as:

1. When a new product is introduced in market or to popularize it;2. When foreign market is to be explored—against foreign exchange earned, government sometimes allow

import quotas from which profits may be made far in excess of loss on export;3. When a weaker competitor is to be driven out of the market;4. When it is feared that future markets will go out of hand;5. When employees cannot or should not be retrenched and production is to be maintained;6. When the plant should be kept ready for "full production" ahead;7. When the sale of one product will push up the sales of other conjoined profitable products;8. When the goods are of perishable nature,

(a) Pricing in depression

Illustration 5.20 C Ltd has been working well below normal capacity due to recession. The directors of C Ltd have been approached by a company with an enquiry for a special purpose job. The costing department estimated the following in respect of the job:

Direct materials Rs. 10,000 Direct labour 500 hours @ Rs. 2 per hour Overhead costs: Normal recovery rates: Variable Re. 0.50 per hour Fixed Re. 1/- per hour

The directors ask you to advise them on the minimum price to be charged, Assume that there are no production difficulties regarding the job.

Under absorption Job No. costing Rs.

Under marginal costing Job No .......

Rs. Direct materials 10,000 Direct materials 10,000 Direct labour — 500 hours Direct labour — 500 hours @ Rs. 2 1,000 @ Rs. 2 1,000 Overheads @ Rs. 1.50 Variable Overheads @ Re. 0.50 per hour Total cost 750 per hour Marginal cost 250

11,750 11,250

Here the absolute minimum price is Rs. 11,250, i.e., total of marginal costs. As this will not make any contribution, a proportion of fixed costs of Rs. 500 may be added to make the job worthwhile. The amount to be

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added will depend upon the circumstances of the case.

(b) Accepting additional orders, exporting, exploring additional markets, etc.: When additional orders are quoted below normal price, it should be ensured that they will not affect the normal market or the goodwill of the company or the relationship with its customers. So far as foreign markets are concerned, the effect of direct and indirect benefits8, such as prestige of exporting, import entitlements, subsidies or any other special favours from government, should not be lost sight of in fixing the price. It may also be assumed that the capacity proposed to be utilized for the purpose cannot be otherwise more profitably utilized.

Illustration: A factory produces 1,000 articles for home consumption at the following costs: Rs. Rs.Materials 40,000Wages 36,000Factory Overheads Fixed 12,000Variable 20,000 32,000Administration Overheads (Fixed) 18,000Selling and Distribution Overheads: Fixed 10,000Variable 16,000 26,000

Total 1,52,000

The home market can consume only 1,000 articles at a selling price of Rs. 155 per article: it can consume no more articles. The foreign market for this product can however consume additional 4,000 articles if the price is reduced to Rs. 125.

Is the foreign market worth trying?

Per Article 4,000 Articles Rs. Rs.

Materials 40 1,60,000Wages 36 1,44,000Prime cost 76 3,04,000Variable Overheads: Factory 20 80,000Selling and Distribution 16 64,000Marginal cost of sales 112 4,48,000Sales 125 5,00,000

Contribution 13 52,000

The foreign market will yield an additional contribution of Rs. 52,000 (@ Rs. 13 for 4,000 units), Since the factory is operating above the break-even point, an increase in contribution will lead to similar increase in profit. Hence, the export order is worth trying.

Note: It is assumed that the additional 4,000 articles can be produced without any rise in fixed costs and that the articles will not be re-exported to home market. It is also assumed that the capacity which is utilized for producing 4,000 additional articles cannot be otherwise more profitably utilized.

Selection of Profitable Product-mix

Suitable product-mix will denote the ratios in which various products are produced and/or sold. The technique of marginal costing may be applied in the determination of most profitable product or sales-mix. In the absence of any limiting factor, contribution under each mix will be considered and the mix that will give the highest contribution will be the most profitable one. So long as fixed costs remain constant, the most profitable sales-mix is deterrninable on the basis of contribution only. But when changes in product-mix are associated with changes in fixed costs, relative profitability of mixes will have to be assessed on the basis of 'net profit' and not on 'contribution basis'. Of course, the management should study various effects and problems arising out of a change in the mix. Some of them are:

1. Effect on raw materials necessitating an adjustment in the purchase programme;2. Expected change in the labour composition or labour training programme;

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3. Change in the machine load;4. Requirements of additional space for production, storage, etc.; and5. Change in the sales programming.

In short, the effect on all physical and financial programmes due to change in product-mix should be considered.

Illustration 5.21 The directors of a company are considering sales budget for the next budget period.

From the following information, you are required to show clearly to management: (i) the marginal product cost and the contribution per unit; and (ii) the total contributions resulting from each of following sales mixtures.

Product ARs.

Product BRs.

Direct materials 10 9Direct wages 3 2Fixed expenses (total) Rs. 800

(Variable expenses are allotted to products as 100% of direct wages)

Selling price 20 15

Sales mixture

(a) 100 units of Product A and 200 of Product B;

(b) 150 units of Product A and 150 of Product B;

(c) 200 units of Product A and 100 of Product B,

Recommend which of the sales-mixtures should be adopted.

Product A Product B Rs. Rs. (0 Direct materials 10 9 Direct wages 3 2 Variable expenses 3 2 Marginal cost 16 13 Selling price 20 15

(iii) Since the P/V ratio of Product A is higher than that of B, Product A is more profitable and therefore the mixture that takes into account the maximum number of Product A would be the most profitable one. This is evident from the following statement:

(iv)Products Contribution

per unitRs.

Sales Mixtures

Units(a)Contributi

on Rs. Units(b)

Contribution Rs.

Units(c)

Contribution Rs.

A 4 100 400 150 600 200 800B

Total 2

200 400 150 300 100 200

300 800 300 900 300 1,000

Sales Mix (c) will yield highest contribution. Therefore, it should be adopted.

The problem of product or sales-mix is generally linked up with the problem of limiting factor. For principles underlying the selection of sales-mix of this nature, refer to the discussion under next heading.

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Problems of Limiting Factor

Limiting factor is a factor that limits production and/or sales. This is also known as the key factor. It may represent shortage of materials, labour, plant capacity or sales demand. (For an illustrative list of limiting factors, see Principal Budget Factor, pp. 659-660). In such a case, a decision has to be taken on whether to make one product or another instead. Ordinarily, when there is no limiting factor, product selection will be on the basis of P/V ratio, i.e., one having the highest P/V ratio will be selected. But when resources are scarce, selection of profitable product will be on the basis of contribution per unit of limiting factor. This is applicable when there is one limiting factor. In short, the higher the contribution per unit of limiting factor, the more profitable is the product or product line and vice versa.

When an optimum safes-mix has to be determined in the context of limiting factor, the product preference, for the purpose of such sales-mix, should be strictly according to relative profitability of products based on contribution in relation to the limiting factor.

Illustration 5.22

(a) The following particulars are extracted from the records of a company;

Per unit

Product A Product BSales (Rs.) 100 120Consumption of material (kg) 2 3Material cost (Rs.) 10 15Direct wages cost (Rs.) 15 10Direct expenses (Rs.) 5 6Machine hours used 3 2Overhead expenses: Fixed (Rs.) 5 10Variable (Rs.) 15 20

Direct wages per hour is Rs. 5. Comment on profitability of each product (both use the same raw material) when—(i) Total Sales potential in units is limited;(ii) Total Sales potential in value is limited;(iii) Raw Material is in short supply;(iv) Production capacity (in terms of machine hours) is the limiting factor.

(b) Assuming Raw Material as the Key factor, availability of which is 10,000 kg, and maximum sales potential of each product being 3,500 units, find out the product mix which will yield the maximum profit,

(a) Per unit

Product A Product B Rs. Rs. Direct materials 10 15 Direct wages 15 10 Direct expenses 5 6

Prime cost 30 31 Variable overhead 15 20

Marginal cost 45 51 Sales 100 120

Contribution Rs. 55 Rs. 69 P/V ratio 0.55 0.575 Contribution per kg of materials Rs. 27.50 Rs. 23 Contribution per machine hoar Rs. 18.33 Rs. 34.50

Thus, profitability of each product will be determined on the basis of the principle: the higher the contribution per unit of limiting factor, the more profitable is the product. Accordingly, a statement of profitability under different conditions may be prepared thus:

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Limiting factor Ranking of products Ranking based on

(i) Sales volume BA Unit contribution (ii) Sales value BA P/V ratio (iii) Raw material AB Contribution per kg (iv) Production capacity

(machine hours) BA Contribution per machine hour

(c) Product preference will be in the same order as (a) (iii) subject to the condition that maximum demand for each of the two products is 3,500 units. In other words, 3,500 units of more profitable product will be produced first. The balance of available raw materials will then have to be utilized for the production of less profitable product. Thus, the optimum product-mix would be:

(d)Total

Product Units Raw Materials Raw Materialsper unit required

(kg) (kg)A 3,500 2 7,000B 1,000* 3 3,000

10,0001(10,000 - 7,000) -s- 3 = 1,000 units]

In addition to one limiting factor from the production side, limitation may also come from the market in the form of demand. Here, ranking will be based on relative contribution per unit of limiting factor and product selection will be done in that order. But the number of units of a product to be selected in the mix will be restricted to the number as per demand for that product.

Illustration 5.23

(a) A chemical company manufactures five different products from a single raw material. There is an abundant supply of raw material at a rate of Rs. 1.50 per kg. The labour rate is Rs. 2 per hour for all products. For a certain budget period, the plant has an effective capacity of 21,000 labour hours. Present equipment can produce all the products. The factory overhead rate also is Rs. 2 per hour (Rs. 1.40 fixed and Re. 0.60 variable). The selling commission is 10 per cent of the product price.

With the following data as basis, you are required to suggest a suitable sales-mix which will maximize the company's profits. What will be the maximum profit?

Market Selling Labour hours Raw material

Product demand price required per required per

(units) (Rs.) unit unit (in gm)

A 4,000 8.00 1.0 700

B 3,600 7.50 0.8 500

C 4,500 12.00 1.5 1,500

D 6,000 9.00 1.1 1,300

E 5,000 11.00 1.4 1,500

(b) Suppose, in the above situation (a), overtime working up to a maximum of 3,500 hours is possible. Overtime will add Rs. 5,000 to fixed overheads, a doubling of labour rates and a 50% increase in variable overheads. Do you recommend overtime working?

(a) For suggesting an optimum sales-mix, product profitability is to be determined first on the basis of contribution per hour which is the limiting factor. This is done in the following statement.

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Direct Direct Variable Selling Marginal Selling Contribution Contribution Rank

Product Material Labour Fy. O.H.

Commission

Cost of sales

price per unit per hour

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.A 1.05 2.00 0.60 0.80 4.45 8.00 3.55 3.55 2B 0.75 1.60 0.48 0.75 3.58 7.50 3.92 4.90 1C 2.25 3.00 0.90 1.20 7.35 12.00 4.65 3.10 3D 1.95 2.20 0.66 0.90 5.71 9.00 3.29 2.90 4E 2.25 2.80 0.84 1.10 6.99 11.00 4.01 2.86 5

Thus, under condition of limited plant capacity (labour hours), product preference would be in the following order:

In determining the sales-mix based on above preference, another limiting factor, i.e., demand, has to be given due consideration. In other words, the product preference according to profitability analysis would be the same subject to the number of units equivalent to market demand. The optimum sales-mix, and the amount of profit thereof, accordingly, would be:

ProductMarket

Demand (units)Labour Hours

reqd.Contribution per

unit (Rs.)Total Contribution

(Rs.)

B 3,600 2,880 3.92 14,112A 4,000 4,000 3.55 14,200C 4,500 6,750 4.65 20,925D 6,000 6,600 3.29 19,740

20,230E 550* 770 4.01 2,206

21,000 71,183

Less: Factory Fixed Overheads (21,000 @ Rs. 1.40) 29,400

Total Profit Rs. 41,783

('Market demand 5,000 units. Hours available 770, which can produce 770 •*• 1.40 - 550 units only. Therefore, for E the target should be 550 units.)

(b) 3,500 additional hours can produce 2,500 units (i.e., 3,500 •*• 1.4) of E. The financial effect of the proposal is shown below:

Rs. Sales (2,500 units @ Rs. 11) 27,500 Less: Marginal cost of sales: Cost per unit as per (a) Rs.

6.99

Add: Increase in labour rate (Rs. 2 x 1.4) 2.80

Increase in Overheads (Re. 0.30 x 1.40) 0.42 Rs. 10.21 x 2,500 25,525 Additional contribution Rs. 1,975 Less: Increase in fixed cost 5,000

Loss Rs. 3,025 Hence, the proposal should be rejected.

If the number of resources in limited supply increases to more than just one in a particular decision situation, the ranking given by contribution per unit of one limiting factor may conflict with that given by the contribution per unit of another limiting factor and consequently the decision rule slated earlier in this context becomes ambiguous. The complexity increases with the increase in the number of limited resources. In such a case, the measurement of the effect on alternatives must cope with the complexities introduced by the interactions between scarcities. Mathematical techniques like Linear Programming are to be applied for handling such problems.

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Alternative Methods of Manufacture

Marginal costing techniques are often used in comparing the alternative methods of manufacture, i.e., whether one machine is to be employed instead of another; number of operators to work with a machine; machine work or hand work, etc. When fixed costs remain constant, the basis of selection will be the relative contribution available from each method. In short, the method of manufacture that will give the largest contribution is to be selected. Where, however, fixed costs change, the decision will be taken on the basis of relative amount of profit. In the process of selection, limiting factor, if any, should not be lost sight of. Where, however, time taken in production is stated, weight should be given to time factor.

Illustration 5.24: Product A can be produced either by Machine X or by Machine Y. Machine X can produce 10 units of A per hour and Y, 20 units per hour. Total machine hours available are 3,000 hours per annum. Taking into account the following comparative costs and selling price, determine the profitable method of manufacture:

Per unit of Product A Machine X Machine Y Rs. Rs.Direct materials 20 20Direct labour 10 13Overheads: Variable 12 14Fixed 3 3Total costs -45 50

Selling Price 60 60

Profitability Statement

Machine X Machine YMachine hours p.a. 3,000 3,000 Output per hour 10 units 20 units

Per unit Rs. Rs. Direct materials 20 20 Direct labour 10 13 Variable overheads 12 14 Marginal costs 42 "47 Selling price 60 60 Contribution Ts 73

Contribution per hour Rs. 180 Rs. 260 Annual Contribution Rs. 5,40,000 7,80,000

Hence, production in Machine Y will be more profitable.

Make or Buy; Insourcing or Outsourcing

A company may have unused capacity which may be utilized for making component parts or similar items instead of buying them from market. Decisions about whether a firm will make or buy are also known as insourcing versus outsourcing decisions. Outsourcing is the process of purchasing goods and services from outside vendors/producers rather than producing the same goods or providing the same services within the organization, which is called insourcing. In taking such 'make or buy' decisions, the marginal cost of manufacturing the component part(s) should be compared with price quoted by outside vendors. If (he variable or marginal costs are lower than purchase price, it will be more profitable to manufacture the component parts in the factory. Fixed costs are excluded on the assumption that they having been already incurred, the manufacture involves only variable costs. Fixed costs are not relevant9 here. If manufacture involves increase in fixed costs (avoidable), it is necessary to include them in product cost. Under such a situation, one may ascertain the minimum volume which would justify 'making' as compared to 'buying'. At this volume, both the alternatives are equally profitable. This volume is determined as follows:

[* Purchase price less Variable cost of production.]

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Nevertheless, in a 'make or buy1 decision, the qualitative factors should also be taken into consideration. For example, quality, and dependability of suppliers are very important factors that need to be considered.

Illustration 5.25 A manufacturing company traditionally purchases its component part No. A-104 for its final product. During any one year, the company will require 10,000 units that can be acquired for Rs. 30 per unit. The company currently has underutilized capacity that can be used 10 manufacture the component part. Total manufacturing costs of Rs. 32 per unit include Rs. 16 raw material, Rs. 6 direct labour, Rs. 3 variable overheads, Rs. 3 fixed overheads (avoidable) and Rs. 4 other fixed overheads (allocated on the basis of capacity utilized).

(i) Should the company make or buy these parts? (ii) Determine the range of production at which one is more profitable than the other.

(i) (a) Bought out price per unit or component part No. A-104 Rs.30 (b) Cost to make per unit of component part No. A-

104; Rs.

Direct Material 16 Direct labour 6 Prime cost 22 Variable overheads 3 Marginal cost 25 Fixed overheads (avoidable) 3 Total relevant cost 28

The company should make component part No. A-104 as cost of manufacture per unit of A-104 is lower than its purchase price.

Note: Fixed costs (allocated) are not relevant to the issue.

Rs.(ii) (a) Bought-out price per unit 30

(b) Marginal cost per unit 25

Savings per unit (a - b) 5

On comparison of bought-out price and marginal cost of manufacture, it appears that making is, as if, more profitable than buying and in that case there will be a saving of Rs. 5 per unit. But making will involve an additional fixed overhead (avoidable) of Rs. 30,000, i.e., Rs 3 x 10,000. Therefore, inclusion of avoidable fixed cost will change the profitability, i.e., buying will be more profitable until additional fixed cost is recovered. But once the increase in fixed cost is recovered, making will be more profitable than buying.

We now determine the volume at which both the alternatives are equally profitable:

Hence, below this volume, buying will be more profitable and above it, making will be more profitable. In other words, from 1 to 5,999 units, buying will be more profitable and from 6,001 to 10,000 units, making will be more profitable.

When it is necessary to increase the capacity of the firm 'to make', the increase in fixed costs may be significant and in such a case the minimum volume or the break-even point has to be determined as above and a decision may accordingly be taken.

When the manufacturing resources of the firm are limited and it becomes necessary to buy out some products if market demands are to be met, the products to be manufactured must be selected on the basis of opportunity costs. Where there is only one resource in limited supply, the selection should be based upon the contribution made by each product per unit of limiting factor of output. The initial comparison made for each product should be between the purchase price and the corresponding marginal cost where fixed costs do not change. Where the purchase price exceeds the marginal cost and there is a limiting factor of production, those products earning the highest rates of contribution per unit of limiting factor should be retained.

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Illustration 5.26 Four types of components are currently being produced using a company's own facilities. However, the company is working at full capacity and is considering buying one or more types of component from an outside supplier. The total fixed costs will remain unaffected for the company as a whole with the making in or buying out of the component. Relevant data per unit of component are given below:

Components A B C DTime per unit: Labour hours 0.40 0.50 0.50 0.30Machine hours 0.10 0.20 0.40 0.50

Cost per unit: Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.Marginal costs 10 12 15 15Fixed costs (allocated) 2 4 5 15Total costs 12 16 20 B

Bought-out price 9 17 22 24

Which component or components would you recommend to be bought out when:

(i) labour time is the limiting factor; (ii) machine time is the limiting factor?

A B C D Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.Bought-out price 9 17 22 24Marginal costs 10 12 15 15

Contribution per unit (-) 1 5 7 9

Contribution per:

Labour hour (Rs.) (-) 2.5 10 14 30

Machine hour (Rs.) (-) 10.0 25 17.5 18

Fixed costs have not been given any consideration as they do not change for the firm as a whole with the making in or buying out of the components.

Component which is showing negative unit contribution should be bought under all circumstances. Hence, A should be bought out.

If a limitation on a resource still exists after removing A, selection of a further component or components for buying out should be made in order of lower contribution per unit of limiting factor. Thus, when labour time is the limiting factor, the order of selection of components for buying, if necessary, would be:

BCD

When machine hour is the limiting factor, the same order would be changed to:

CDB

Working Extra Shift

If fixed costs remain constant, the decision will be taken on the basis of additional contribution expected from opening of extra shift work. When, however, fixed costs increase, the decision will be taken based on additional profit (additional contribution less increase in fixed cost). In other words, the decision should be taken on the basis of whether the costs of the shift are exceeded by the benefits to be obtained.

Illustration 5.27

XYZ Co. Ltd currently operates a single production shift. The operating results of the company for the year just ended show the following

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Sales (10,000 units)

Direct materials

Direct labour

Variable overheads

Contribution

Fixed overheads

Profit

£

1,20,000

1,00,000

20,000

£

3,60,000

2,40,000

1,20,000

90,000

30,000

The company is planning for the activity of the next year. Sales demand exists for an extra 6,000 units (at the existing sales price) which could be made in a second shift. The labour costs in the second shift would be the same as in the first shift plus a second-shift premium. The second shift is paid at time-and-a-quarter. Additional fixed overheads of £ 10,000 would be incurred, but a bulk purchase discount of 5% would be obtained on all quantities of material bought. Should the second shift be opened up?

Profitability of Extra Shift Work

£ £ £

Additional sales (6,000 @ £ 36) 2,16,000

Less: Additional variable costs:

Direct materials:

Current cost 1,20,000

Total cost of materials with second shift:

(16,000 x £ 12 x 0.95) 1,82,400 62,400

Direct labour:

(£ 1,00,000 x ].25) 1,25,000

Less: Fixed portion of labour 1,00,000 25,000

Variable Overheads (6,000 X £ 2) 12,000 99,400

Additional contribution 1,16,600

Less: Additional fixed cost:

Labour 1,00,000

Overheads 10,000 1,10,000

Additional profit £ 6,600

Hence, second shift should be worked.

Level of Activity Planning

The contribution technique may also be used in planning the level of activity.

Illustration 5.28

A company hat, a capacity of producing 1,00,000 units of certain product in a month, The Sales Department reports that the following schedule of sale prices is possible:

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Volume of Selling priceProduction (%) per unit (Re.)

60 0.9070 0.9080 0.7590 0.67

100 0.61

The variable cost of manufacture between these levels is Re. 0.15 per unit and fixed cost, Rs. 40,000. At which volume of production will the profit be maximum?

Capacity 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Units 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 1,00,000

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Sales 54,000 63,000 60,000 60,300 61,000 Variable cost Contribution 9,000 10,500 12,000 13,500 15,000

45,000 52,500 48,000 46,800 46,000

Contribution at 70% level or activity is maximum. Fixed cost being constant at all levels of production, profit is also maximum at this level.

Effect of Change in Selling Price

Another problem which is very frequently raised is the effect on profit of a change in sales price. When management consider expansion programme, a price reduction may be contemplated to attract a wider market. It is, therefore, necessary to ascertain the effect of such a proposal.

Illustration 5.29

The directors of a company are considering the results of trading during the last year. The Profit and Loss Statement of the company appeared as follows:

Rs. Rs.Sales 7,50,000 Direct materials 2,25,000 Direct wages 1,50,000 Variable overheads 60,000 Fixed overheads 2,20,000 6,55,000 Profit 95,000

The budgeted capacity of the company is Rs. 10,00,000, but the key factor is sales demand. The sales manager is proposing that in order to utilize existing capacity, the selling price of the only product manufactured by the company should be reduced by 5%.

You are requested to prepare a forecast statement which should show the effect of the proposed reduction in selling price and to include any changes in costs expected during the coming year. The following additional information is given:

Sales forecast: Rs. 9,50,000.

Direct material prices are expected to increase by 2%.

Direct wages rates are expected to increase by 5% per unit.

Variable overhead costs are expected to increase by 5% per unit.

Fixed overheads will increase by Rs. 10,000.

Statement Showing the Effect of Change in Selling Price

Rs. Rs.

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Sales 9,50,000Direct materials 3,06,000

Direct waees 2,10,000 -Variable overheads 84,000 6,00,000

Contribution 3,50,000Fixed overheads 2,30,000Profit 1,20,000

The above statement will show that although costs have increased and selling price has been reduced, the profit forecast for the coming year is still more than that achieved last year. This is because increased volume of sales at the reduced sales price has resulted in increased contribution more than sufficient to cover increase in costs—variable and fixed.

Notes:(a) Sales (after 5% price reduction) Rs. 9,50,000

Add: Reduction in Selling Price 50,000

Sales before price reduction 10,00,000 Less: Sales last year 7,50,000

Increase in Sales Rs. 2.50.000

which is to be taken into account in adjusting increase in cost. Thus,

(b) Direct Materials: Rs. Last year's figure 2,25,000 Add: 33-% due to increase in volume 75,000

3,00,000 Add: 2% increase in Price (c) Direct wages: Last year's figure

6,000 Rs. 3,06,000

1,50,000 Add: 33% 50,000

2,00,000 Add: 5% increase in rate (d) Variable overheads: 10,000 Rs, 2,10,000

Last year's figure 60,000 Add: 33% 20,000 80,000 Add: 5% increase in rate 4,000 Rs. 84,000

Alternative Courses of Action

Very often, management may be confronted with the problem of taking decisions as to the effect of alternative courses of action. The problem of taking the appropriate decision in such a case can be tackled effectively if the cost data are presented under marginal costing technique.

Illustration 5.30

The management of a concern, manufacturing two products, X and Y, have the following independent possibilities before them:(a) To produce and sell 16,000 additional units of Y but only if the production of X is reduced by 20,000 units.(b) To reduce the price of X by Re. 0.20 per unit. This will result in a 25% increase in the sale of X without any

change in the activity of Y.(c) To produce and sell 55,000 units of X and 1,05,000 units of Y.

Product X Product Y Total Sales (in units) 50,000 1,00,000

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Sales (value) Rs. 2,50,000 Rs. 8,50,000 Cost of sales Rs. 1,50,000 Rs. 6,00,000 Rs.3,50,000

Gross Margin Rs. 1,00,000 Rs. 2,50,000 Selling and distribution expenses Rs.60,000 Rs. 1,50,000 Net Margin Rs. 40,000 Rs. 1,00,000 Rs.1,40,000

Direct costs included in total costs amount to Rs. 1,20,000 for Product X and Rs. 3,40,000 for Product Y. Present the information to the management in a suitable form giving your recommendation.

The alternative proposals to the management have been given in a suitable form on page 607 based on an analysis of unit direct costs and total fixed costs of Products X and Y as shown below.

Product X Product Y Total 50,000 Per 1,00,000 Per 1,50,000

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Units Unit Units Unit Units Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Sales 2,50,000 5.00 8,50,000 8.50 11,00,000 Direct costs 1,20,000 2.40 3,40,000 3.40 4,60,000

Contribution 1,30,000 2.60 5,10,000 5.10 6,40,000 Fixed costs (Costs of sales + S. and D. costs - Direct costs) 90,000 4,10,000 5,00,000

Net Profit 40,000 1,00,000 1,40,000

Selection of Optimum Volume and Selling Price (Using Break-even Chart)

Where the demand for a product is elastic, it may be contemplated to reduce the selling price more and more to attract a greater volume of sale and thereby earn a higher total contribution. When sales volume at varying selling prices is ascertainable, the problem arises as to the determination of the volume of sales and selling price at which profit will be maximum. A break-even chart may be of significant help in such a case.

If the sales value and costs at different volume of sales are plotted on a graph paper, it is possible to determine the volume and selling price at which the margin of profit appears to be the greatest. In other words, the point at which the margin of profit is the greatest is the optimum volume and the selling price at this volume is the optimum selling price.

Illustration 5.31

Given the information below, you are required to determine graphically at what volume of sales and selling price a company can maximize profits.

Selling price per unit Sales forecastRs. (units)

10.00 1,0009.50 2,0009.00 3,0008.50 4,0008.00 5,000

7.50 6,0007.00 6,8006.50 7,5006.00 8,0005.50 8,400

The variable unit cost is Rs. 2.50. The fixed costs of the company amount to Rs. 12,000 but to increase output beyond 3,000 units, additional capital expenditure would be necessary and fixed costs would therefore rise to Rs. 16.000. In order to plot the data on a graph paper, sales value and costs at the varying volume of sales are tabulated as follows:

Units Sales value Variable costs Fixed costs Total costsRs. Rs. Rs. Rs.

1,000 10,000 2,500 12,000 14,5002,000 19,000 5,000 12,000 17,0003,000 27,000 7,500 12,000 19,5004,000 34,000 10,000 16,000 26,0005,000 40,000 12,500 16,000 28,5006,000 45,000 15,000 16,000 31,0006,800 47,600 17,000 16,000 33,0007,500 48,750 18,750 16,000 34,7508,000 48,000 20,000 16,000 36,0008,400 46,200 21,000 16,000 37,000

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Figure 5.11 Break-even chart determining the optimum volume.

Thus, the margin of profit, i.e., the margin by which the sales value curve is higher than the total cost curve, is seen to be the greatest at a sales volume of 6,800 units. Therefore, this is the optimum volume and profit will be maximized at this volume at the given selling price.

Application of Prof It/Volume or C/S Ratio

The Profit/Volume Ratio may be applied in a variety of problems, namely:

1. Determination of break-even point and margin of safety (see p. 547 and p. 551).

2. Determination of variable cost for any volume of sales (this is done by deducting P/V ratio from 100% and multiplying the sales by the resultant figure).

Problem 1 (Product Mix)

A manufacturer with an overall (interchangeable among the products) capacity of one lakh machine hours has been so far producing a standard mix of 15,000 units of Product A and 10,000 units of Products B and C each. On experience, the total expenditure exclusive of his fixed charges is found to be Rs. 2.09 lakhs and the cost ratio among the products approximates 1 : 1.5 : 1.75 respectively per unit. The fixed charges come to Rs. 2.00 per unit. When the unit selling prices are Rs. 6.25 for A, Rs. 7.50 for B and Rs. 10.50 for C, he incurs a loss.

He desires to change the product mix as under:

Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3A 18,000 15,000 22,000B 12,000 6,000 8,000C 7,000 13,000 8,000

As a Cost Accountant what mix you recommend?

Solution

Product Units Variable cost Total Variable cost Variable costratio per unit (1) x (2) in total ratio per unit (4) •*- (1)

Rs. Rs.(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

A 15,000 1.00 15,000 66,000 4.40B 10,000 1.50 15,000 66,000 6.60C 10,000 1.75 17,500 77,000 7.70

35,000 47,500 2,09,000

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3. Determination of profit at a particular volume of sales (see p. 572),4. Determination of sales volume for a desired amount of profit (see p. 565).5. Fixing selling prices.6. Selecting the most profitable line or lines of products when there is no limiting factor.7. Determining the additional sales required to maintain the present profit level in the event of contemplated

price reduction.8. Determination of the sales-mix to maximize profit.

Some of the applications have been shown in the previous chapter. In addition, the following two illustrations would explain how P/V ratio serves the day-to-day needs of the management.

Illustration 5.32

A company proposes to introduce a product in the market. There is sufficient demand for the product. The sales manager estimates that it is possible to sell 5,000 units. It is the policy of the company to maintain 30% P/V ratio. Given the following costs, you are required to ascertain the selling price that the company should quote:

Per unit Rs.Direct materials 100Direct labour 30Variable overheads 10 140

Selling price can be found out by dividing variable cost by variable cost ratio (i.e., 100% - P/V%). Thus,

Therefore, to maintain a 30% P/V ratio, the selling price should be Rs. 200.

Illustration 5.33

The directors of ABC Ltd propose to reduce the selling price of Product X by 10%. By doing so, they anticipate that sales volume may be increased and that present profit may be maintained. On the basis of the following information, advise management as to the proposal:

Rs. Selling price 10

Variable cost 6 Fixed cost 20,000 Present production

and sales 8,000 units.

Present Profit = 40% of sales - fixed cost = 40% of Rs. 80,000 - Rs. 20,000 = Rs. 12,000 If selling price is reduced 'by 10%, the P/V ratio will come down to 33 — %

To maintain the same profit, the required total safes will be:

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Total Fixed Cost: 35,000 x Rs. 2 = Rs. 70,000

A B C Rs. Rs. Rs.Selling Price 6.25 7.50 10.50Marginal or Variable cost Contribution

4.40 6.60 7.70

1.85 0.90 2.80

Unit Profitability StatementMix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3

Product Contribution Units Contribution Units Contribution Units Contribution

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.A 1.85 18,000 33,300 15,000 27,750 22,000 40,700B 0.90 12,000 10,800 6,000 5,400 8,000 7,200C 2.80 7,000 19,600 13,000 36,400 8,000 22,400

Total 37,000 63,700 34,000 69,550 38,000 70,300Less: Fixed

cost 70,000 70,000 70,000

Net Profit/(-) Loss (-) 6,300 (-) 450 300

Hence, Mix (3) is recommended.

Problem 2 (Limiting Factor and Product-mix)

A market gardener is planning his production for next season and he asked you, as a Cost Accountant, to recommend the optimal mix of vegetable production for the coming year. He has given you the following data relating to the current year:

Potatoes Turnips Parsnips Carrots

Area occupied (in acres) 25 20 30 25Yield per acre (in tonnes) 10 8 9 12

£ £ f £Selling price per tonne 100 125 150 135

Variable costs per acre:

fertilizers 30 25 45 40

seeds 15 20 30 25

pesticides 25 15 20 25

direct wages 400 450 500 570

Fixed overheads per annum: £ 54,000

The land which is being used for the production of carrots and parsnips can be used for either crop, but not for potatoes or turnips. The land being used for potatoes and turnips can be used for either crop, but not for carrots or parsnips. In order to provide an adequate market service, the gardener must produce each year at least 40 tonnes each of potatoes and turnips and 36 tonnes each of parsnips and carrots.

(a) You are required to present a statement to show:

(i) the profit for the current year; and (ii) the profit for the production mix which you would recommend.

(b) Assuming that the land could be cultivated in such a way that any of the above crops could be produced and there was no market commitment, you are required to:

(i) advise the market gardener on which crop he should concentrate his production;

(ii) calculate the profit if he were to do so; and (iii) calculate in sterling the break-even point of sales.

Solution

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(a) (i) Profit Statement for the Current Year

Potatoes Turnips Parsnips Carrots TotalAcres 25 20 30 25 100 £ £ £ £ £Revenue (see workings) 25,000 20,000 40,500 40,500 126,000Variable costs 11,750 10,200 17,850 16,500 56,300

Contribution 13,250 9,800 22,650 24,000 69,700Fixed overheads 54,000

Profit 15,700

Workings;

Potatoes Turnips Parsnips CarrotsVariable cost per acre £ 470 £ 510 £ 595 £ 660Tonnes per acre 10 8 9 12Revenue per tonne £ 100 £ 125 £ 150 £ 135Revenue per acre £ 1,000 £ 1,000 £ 1,350 £ 1,620

(a) (i) Profit Statement for Recommended Mix

Area A (45 acres) Area B (55 acres) Potatoes Turnips Parsnips CarrotsContribution per acre £ 530 £ 490 £ 755 £ 960Best area crops Potatoes - - Carrots

Minimum tonnes J!9 40 36 36Acres required ~5 ~4 3Balance 36 ~ - 48Recommended mix (acres) 0 5 4 51

Contribution £ 21,200 £ 2,450 £ 5,020 £ 48,960 Total £ 75,630

Fixed overheads £ 54,000 Profit from recommended mi? £ 21,630

(b) (i) Production should be concentrated on carrots which have the highest contribution per acre (£ 960)

£

(ii) Contribution from 100 acres of carrots 96,000Fixed overheads 54,000 Profit from carrots 42,000

(iii) Contribution to sales ratio of carrots =

£24,000/£40,500 X 100 [(from (a)(i)] = 59.259%

Break-even point in sterling =

Fixed overheads/CS ratio - £54,000/59.259 x 100 = £91,126

Problem 3 (Limiting factor/make or buy)

ABC Ltd makes three products, all of which use the same machine which is available for 50,000 hours per period.

The standard costs of the products per unit are:

Product A Product B Product C £ £ £Direct materials 70 40 80

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Direct labour Machinists (£ 8 per hour) 48 32 56Assemblers (£ 6 per hour) 36 40 42Total variable cost 154 112 178Selling price per unit 200 158 224Maximum demand (units) 3,000 2,500 5,000

Fixed costs are £ 300,000 per period.

ABC Ltd could buy in similar quality products at the following unit prices:

A £ 175 B £ 140 C £ 200.

You are required to:

(a) calculate the deficiency in machine hours for the next period;

(b) determine which product(s) and quantities (if any) should be bought out;

(c) calculate the profit for the next period based on your recommendations in (b).

Solution

(a) Machine hours deficiency

Product A Product B Product CMaximum demand (units) 3,000 2,500 5,000 Hours per unit (48/8) 6 (32/8) 4 (56/8) 7 Total hours 18,000 10,000 35,000

Total hours to meet maximum demand 63,000

Hours available Deficiency 50,000

13,000 hours

(b) Make or buy

First we have to decide whether it is worth trying to meet full demand for all products, even if some units have to be bought out. Since all products will still have a positive contribution (selling price -variable costs) even if they are bought out (in which case variable cost = buy-out price), it will be worth buying out as necessary to meet full demand.

The next decision to be made is the choice of product(s) that should be made in-house and those that should be bought out (wholly or partially). The quickest approach is to assess each product in terms of the benefit of making-in over buying-out per-hour of machining time used—key factor analysis.

The benefit of making, in over buying, out is measured by the difference between make-in cost (variable cost) and buy-out price.

Buy-out price per unit Product A £ 175 Product B £ 140 Product C £ 200Variable cost per unit £ 154 £ 112 £ 178Saving from making-in per unit £21 £28 £22Make-in machine hours per unit 6 4 7Saving per machine hour (£) 3.5 7 3.1

Thus, manufacturing priority should be given to Product B, then Product A and then Product C. Meeting maximum demand for Products B and A would use 10,000 -f 18,000 - 28,000 hours [see (a)], leaving 22,000 hours available for Product C.

This will be sufficient to manufacture 22,000 + 1 = 3,142 units of C.

Thus, 5,000 - 3,142 = 1,858 units of Product C should be bought out.

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(c) Profit for next period

Product A Product B Product C TotalSales (units) 3,000 2,500 5,000

Contribution per unitFrom making-in

(selling price - variable cost) £ 46 £ 46 £ 46 (3,142 units) From buying-out

(selling price - buy-out price) £ 24 (1,858 units)

£ £ £ £ Total contribution

From making-in 138,000 115,000 144,532 397,532 From buying-out 44,592 44,592

442,124 Less: Fixed costs 300,000

Profit 142,124

Problem 4 (Export Order/Limiting Factor)

V. Ltd operating at 75% level of activity produces and sells two products A and B. The cost sheets of these two products are as under:

Product

A B Units produced and sold 600 400

Rs. Rs.

Direct materials 2.00 4.00

Direct labour 4.00 4.00

Factory overheads (40% fixed) 5.00 3.00

Selling and administration overheads (60% fixed) 8.00 5.00

Total cost per unit 19.00 16.00

Selling price per unit 23.00 19.00

Factory overheads are absorbed on the basis of machine hour which is the limiting (key) factor. The machine

hour rate is Rs. 2 per hour.

The company receives an offer from Canada for the purchase of Product A at a price of Rs. 17.50 per unit.

Alternatively, the company has another offer from the Middle East for the purchase of Product B at a price of

Rs. 15.50 per unit. In both the cases, a special packing charge of fifty paise per unit has to be borne by the

company.

The company can accept either of the two export orders and in either case the company can supply such

quantities as may be possible to produce by utilizing the balance of 25% of its capacity.

You are required to prepare:

(i) statement showing the economics of the two export proposals giving your recommendations as to which

proposal should be accepted; and (ii) statement showing the overall profitability of the company after

incorporating the export proposal recommended by you.

Solution

(i) Statement Showing Economics of Export Proposals

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Order from Canada Order from Middle for A East for B

Per unit Per unit Rs. Rs.Direct materials 2.00 4.00Direct labour 4.00 4.00

Prime cost 6.00 8.00Variable overheads: Factory 3.00 1.80Selling and Distribution 3.20 2.00 12.20 11.80Special Packing 0.50 0.50Marginal cost 12.70 12.30Export price 17.50 15.50

Conlribution 4.80 3.20Machine hours per unit 2.50 1.50Contribution per hour Rs. 1.92 Rs. 2.13

Machine hours being the limiting factor, contribution per hour should be the criterion for determining the relative profitability of two export proposals. Thus, Product B will yield higher contribution per hour than that of Product A. Therefore, the offer from Middle East for Product B should be accepted in preference to that from Canada for Product A.

(ii) Statement of Overall Profitability

A B TotalUnits 600 867 _ Rs. Rs. Rs. Safes 13,800 14,839 28,639 Less: Marginal costs 7,320 10,464 17,784

Contribution 6,480 4,375 10,855 Less: Fixed cost 5,760

Profit Rs. 5,095

Problem 5 (Shift Work)

BSE Veterinary Services is a specialist laboratory carrying out tests on cattle to ascertain whether the cattle have any infection. At present, the laboratory carries out 12,000 tests each period but, because of current difficulties with the herd, demand is expected to increase to 18,000 tests a period, which would require an additional shift to be worked.

The current cost of carrying out a full test is:

£ per test

Materials 115Technicians' wages

30

Variable overheads

12

Fixed overheads 50

Working the additional shift would:

(i) require a shift premium of 50% to be paid to the technicians on the additional shift, (ii) enable a quantity discount of 20% to be obtained for all materials if an order was placed to cover

18,000 tests, (iii) increase fixed costs by £ 700,000 per period.

The current fee per test is £ 300. You are required to:

134

(a) prepare a profit statement for the current 12,000 capacity;

(b) prepare a profit statement if the additional shift was worked and 18,000 tests were carried out; and

(c) comment on three other factors which should be considered before any decision is taken.

Solution

(a) 12,000 capacity

(£ '000) (£ '000) Fees (12,000 x £ 300) 3,600 Variable costs: Materials (12,000 x £ 115) 1,380 Wages (12,000 x £ 30) 360 Variable overheads (12,000 x £ 12) 144 1,884

Contribution 1,716 Fixed overheads (12,000 X £ 50) 600

Profit 1,116 (b) 18,000 tests with additional shift

(£ '000) (£ '000) Fees (18,000 x £ 300) 5,400 Variable costs:

Materials ( 181,380x80% 1,656 \ YL )

Wages (360 + 6 x £ 30 x 150%) 630

Variable overheads 144x 216 V l2y

2,502

Contribution 2,898 Fixed overheads (600 + 700) 1,300

Profit 1,598

(c) The following are to be considered before taking any decision.

(1) The duration of the higher level of demand: If it is expected to continue over longer periods, it may be worth employing extra staff rather than paying overtime premiums. Also, the commitment to extra fixed overheads may extend over a longer period than the extra demand.

(2) The pricing policy: The urgency of the need for extra tests may mean that fees can be increased without significantly affecting demand.

The quality of the work done, material used, etc.: Increasing activity by 50% using current resources may well lead to a drop in the quality of output—i.e., unreliable test results—which could have an adverse effect on future demand.

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Chapter 6Corporate restructuring and Finance

Before going into the details of financial distress, let us try to begin with its background and the consequences. We first start with the basic causes of a business failure and then try to go in to the consequences of such failure in the context of financial distress and bankruptcy.

Causes of Business Failure

The basic causes of business failure can be categorized into four major heads - the economic factors, the financial factors, factors relating to neglect, disorder and fraud and some other factors. The economic factor relate to the industry weakness and the poor location of the firm. The financial factor relate to the over burdening debt capacity and the insufficient capital. The importance of the different factors varies over the time, depending on such things as the state of the economy and the level of interest rates. Apart from this, sometimes some factors produce a combining effect so as to make the business unsustainable. Studies have provided further evidence that the causes of financial distress are a result of a series of errors, misjudgments and interrelated weaknesses that can be attributed directly or indirectly to the management of the firm. In a recent study, Dun & Bradstreet has assigned percentage values to the causes of business failures. The following table reveals the same.

Table 6.1: Causes of Business Failure

Cause of business failure Percentage of totalEconomic factors 37.1%Financial factors 47.3%Neglect, disorder and fraud 14.0%Other factors 1.6%

MEANING OF BANKRUPTCY

A firm is said to be bankrupt if it is unable to meet its current obligations to the creditors. Bankruptcy may occur because of a number of external and internal factors.

DEFINITIONS

SICK INDUSTRIAL COMPANY

The Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 or SICA defines a sick industry as "an industrial company (being a company registered for not less than five years) which has at the end of any financial year accumulated losses equal to or exceeding its net worth".

WEAK UNIT

A non-SSI industrial unit is defined as 'weak' if its accumulation of losses as at the end of any accounting year resulted in the erosion of fifty percent or more of its peak net worth in the immediately preceding four accounting years. It is clarified that weak units will not only include those which fall within the purview of Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (of industrial companies) but also other categories such as partnership firms, proprietory concerns, etc. A weak Industrial Company should be termed as "potentially sick" company.

SICK SSI UNIT

A small-scale industrial (SSI) unit, as per the RBI is classified as sick when:

a. Any of its borrowal accounts has become a doubtful advance, i.e. principal or interest in respect of any of its borrowal accounts has remained overdue for periods exceeding 2 V2 years and

b. There is erosion in net worth due to accumulated cash losses to the extent of 50 percent or more of its peak net worth during the preceding two accounting years.

In case of tiny/decentralized sector units, if requisite financial data is not available, a unit may be considered as sick if the loan/advance in which any amount to be received has remained past due for one year or more.

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FACTORS LEADING TO BANKRUPTCY

External Factors

a. Change in government policies affecting the firmb. Increased competitionc. Scarcity of raw materiald. Prolonged power cutse. Changes in consumer buying patternf. Shrinking demandg. Natural calamities h. Cost overrunsi. Inadequate funds. Internal

Factors

a. Mismanagementb. Fraudulent practices and misappropriation of funds by the managementc. Labor unrestd. Technological obsolescencee. Disputes among promoters.

Table 6.2: An RBI Study

Causes of Bankruptcy Percentage

Mismanagement 52Faulty initial planning 14

Labor trouble 2

Market recession 23

Others 9

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SYMPTOMS OF BANKRUPTCY

A firm goes bankrupt gradually. Before a firm goes bankrupt, it exhibits a number of symptoms, which when diagnosed and corrected in time can save the company from bankruptcy.

Some of these symptoms are

• Production

- Low capacity utilization High operating cost- Failure of production lines Accumulation of finished goods

• Sales and Marketing

- Declining/Stagnant sales

Loss of distribution network to competitors

• Finance

Increased borrowing at exorbitant rates

- Increased borrowing against assets- Failure to pay term loans

Failure to pay current liabilities, salaries etc. Failure to make statutory payments

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• Others

A declining trend in market price of share Rapid turnover of key personnel

- Persistent cash losses

Frequent changes in accounting policies to enhance profits Frequent change of accounting years for undeclared reasons.

PREDICTION OF BANKRUPTCY

As the incidence of sickness became more frequent, a need was felt to evolve techniques and methods to predict failure of a firm. While symptoms listed earlier are good indicators of the financial health, they are not the best predictors of sickness. A number of models are available to accurately predict sickness of a firm. These models provide early warning signals, so that a potentially disastrous situation can be averted. Most of these techniques involve financial ratio analysis. A study has revealed that financial ratios are useful in predicting the failure of a firm for a period up to 5 years before sickness accurately. A number of Indian models are also available. Some of the models are discussed below,

International Models

• Beaver Model• The Wilcox Model• Blum Marc's Failing Company Model• Altman's Z Score Model• Argenti Score Board. Indian Model• L.C.Gupta Model

Beaver Model

Beaver was the first to make a conscious effort to use financial ratios as predictors of failure. He defined failure as "inability of a firm to pay its financial obligation as they mature."

He used 30 ratios classified under 6 categories. Beaver tested these ratios to predict the failure of a company. The ratio of cash flow to total debt was found to be the best single predictor of failure. The study further revealed that financial ratios are useful in prediction of failure of at least five years prior to the event.

The Wilcox Model

Wilcox proposed that the net liquidation value of a firm is the best indicator of its financial health. The net liquidation value can be obtained by the difference in liquidation value of firm's assets and the liquidation value of liabilities. Liquidation value is the market value of assets and liabilities, if liquidated at that point of study.

Blum Marc's Failing Company Model

Blum Marc's model predicts the financial health of a firm using 12 ratios divided into 3 groups: Liquidity ratios, Profitability ratios and Variability ratios. Using these ratios, Blum Marc tried to accurately predict failure and draw a distinction between bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms.

Altman's Z Score Model

Airman improved upon the earlier models using ratio analysis to predict failure. Altman's model is based on the fact that various ratios when used in combinations, can have better predictive ability than when used individually. 22 ratios were considered in various combinations as predictors of failure. He used a statistical technique called the Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) to distinguish between bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms.

Out of these 22 ratios, a final set of 5 ratios were selected as they were found to be better predictors of failure. Weights were given to these ratios on the basis of their significance to predict health of the model. He developed a discriminant score called the Z-score on the basis of these ratios.

Z = 1.2X, + 1.4X2 + 3.3X, + 0.6X4 + 1.0XS where,

Z = Discriminant score

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X1 = Working capital/Total assetsX2 = Retained earnings/Total assetsX3 = EBIT/Total assetsX4 = Market value of equity/Book value of debtX5 = Sales/Total assets.

If Z score for a firm is less than 1.81, the firm is likely to go bankrupt. If Z score is more than 2.99, it is regarded as a healthy company. The range between LSI - 2.99 is treated as an area of ignorance.

Z Score Classification

<1.81 Bankrupt firm

1.81-2.99 Area of ignorance

>2.99 Healthy firm

Argenti Score Board

J. Argenti in his famous article 'Company Failure - Long Range Prediction is Not Enough', developed a score board for evaluating the health of the firm. The model is based on numerical assessment of the firms' weaknesses. The weaknesses are classified as defects (management and accounting), mistakes and symptoms. He has delineated a list of factors to be looked into along with the respective scores. All the scores are to be summed up. The cut-off point for a "healthy firm" is a score of 25. This model has been criticized for being "subjective" and "arbitrary."

Box 6.1Defects In management - Score 8 The chief executive is an autocrat 4 He is also the chairman 2 Passive board - an autocrat will see to that 2 Unbalanced board - too many engineers or too many finance types

2 Weak finance director 1 Poor management depth

15 Poor response to change, old-fashioned product, obsolete factory, old directors, out-of-date marketing

In accountancy -

3 No budgets or budgetary controls (to assess variance, etc.)

3 No cash flow plans, or not updated

3 No costing system. Cost and contribution of each product unknown

Total Score 43 Pass should be less than 10

Mistakes 15 High leverage, firm could get into trouble by stroke of bad luck

15 Overtrading. Company expanding faster than its funding. Capital base too small or unbalanced for the size and type of business

15 Big project gone wrong. Any obligation which the company cannot meet if something goes wrong

Total Score 45 Pass should be less than 15

Symptoms

4 Financial signs, such as Z-score, appear near failure

4 Creative accounting. Chief executive is the first to see signs of failure and, in an attempt to hide it from creditors and the banks, accounts are

"glossed over" by, for instance, overvaluing stocks, using lower depreciation, etc. Skilled observers can spot these things.

4 Non-financial signs, such as untidy offices, frozen salaries, chief executive "ill", high staff turnover, low morale, rumors

Total Score 12

Total possible score 100 Pass should be less than 25

L.C. Gupta Model

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L.C. Gupta's model was the first Indian model proposed to predict failure. He used 56 ratios and sought to determine the best set of ratios to predict failure. These were categorized as profitability ratios and balance sheet ratios. He applied these ratios to a sample of sick and non-sick companies and arrived at the best set of ratios.

These are given below: Profitability Ratios

• EBDIT/Net Sales• OCF/Sales (Operating Cash Flow/Sales)• EBDIT/(TotaI Assets + Accumulated Depreciation)• OCF/Total Assets• EBDIT/(Interest + 0.25 Debt). Balance Sheet Ratios• Net Worth/Total Debt• All Outside Liabilities/Tangible Assets.

The model was found to have a high degree of accuracy in predicting sickness for 2/3 years before failure,

Issues facing by a Firm in Times of Financial Distress

The primary cause of a firm encountering financial distress starts when it finds it difficult to meet the scheduled payments or when the cash flow projections of the firm are indicative of the fact that it will soon be unable to do so. Few of the pivotal issues that arise in due course are as follows:

a. Primary cause of failure on part of the firm to meet the debt obligations. To ascertain whether such a failure is due to a temporary cash flow problem or because of the fact that the asset values of the firm has fallen much below its debt obligation.

b. If it is found out that the problem is a temporary one, then an agreement with the creditors of the firm can be worked out so that the firm has time to recover and satisfy every one. But in case the long run asset values have truly declined then the firm is said to have incurred economic losses. In such a situation it is important to ascertain, who should bear the losses and how much of share should be given to each.

c. To ascertain the value of the firm both on liquidation as well as on working conditions and to take the decision on whether it is profitable to continue the business or liquidate it based on the valuations.

d. Whether the firm should file protection under chapter 11 of Bankruptcy Act, or should it go for informal procedures. It is to be noted here that in both the cases of reorganization and liquidation a firm can either resort to informal procedures or work under the direction of the bankruptcy Court.

e. Ascertaining the controlling force of the firm while it is being liquidated or rehabilitated. To ascertain whether the existing management be left in charge or should a trustee be placed in charge.

Settlements without going through formal bankruptcy

When a firm goes through the period of financial distress, it is very important for its management and creditors to decide whether the problem is a temporary one and it is possible for the firm to continue its operations or whether the problem is more serious and permanent in nature that has the possibility of endangering the life of the firm. So having done this, the parties involved in the process decides upon solving the problem either through the intervention of the bankruptcy court or through informal process. If the firm goes for filing a formal bankruptcy under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Act it involves certain costs. Coupled to this, there is also the possibility of the fact that when the creditors come to know that the firm has resorted to the Court, it might lead to disruptions. Thus it is preferable to go for reorganization and liquidation through informal means. Here we first start our discussion with the informal reorganization and then go into the details of the procedures of the formal bankruptcy.

Informal Reorganization

Those companies that possess more strong economic fundamentals, are always prepared to work with these companies so as to help then to come out of their distress conditions and to re-establish themselves on a sound financial basis. Such voluntary plans rendered by the creditors, generally termed as the "workouts", involves restructuring of the firm's debt; because of the fact that the current cash flows of the firm are insufficient to service the existing debt. The restructuring process typically consists of extension and composition. In the former case, the creditors postpone the dales of the interest or the principal payments as well as both. In case

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of the latter, the creditors voluntarily reduce their claims on the debt by accepting a lower principal amount or by reducing the interest rate on the debt. They may even take equity for debt or they may resort to the combination of all these three possible ways.

The process of debt restructuring begins with the initiation of both the firm's managers and the creditors meeting for seeking a proper balance. The creditors form a committee with four to five representatives of the larger creditors and a few of the smaller ones so that each side is equally represented. The meeting is often arranged and conducted by an adjustment bureau that is associated with and run by local credit manager's association. The first step involves drawing up a list of creditors with the amount of debt that is owed to each. This follows by developing the information that shows the value of the firm in different scenarios. One such scenario may be the firm going out of business, selling off its assets and then distributing the proceeds to the various creditors as per the importance of the claim that is associated with each of them with the surplus going to the common stock holders. The firm may even take help of an appraiser who can appraise the value of the firm's property that can be used as a basis for ascertaining the value of the firm in different scenarios. Other scenarios may include continued operations, frequently with some improvements in the capital equipments, marketing and perhaps some management changes. This information is then shared with the bankers and the creditors of the firm. It has been frequently observed that the debt capacity of the firm exceeds its liquidation value and it is further observed that the legal fees and the other costs that are associated with the formal liquidation process under the bankruptcy lowers the proceeds available to the creditors. Added to this, the process of resolving the case through formal procedure is also very time consuming, it may take a year or even more than a year. This reduces the present value of the proceeds to much lower level. When the creditors are supplied with this information, they might be somewhat convinced to accept something less than their full value of the claim. In case where the management and the primary creditors agree for a resolution, then a formal plan is drafted and is presented to all the creditors providing them the reasons why they should be willing to compromise on their claims.

While framing the reorganization plan, creditors offer extension because that promises them their full payment at some point of time. In certain cases, the creditors may agree to not only postpone the date of payment but also to subordinate the existing claims to the vendors who show their willingness to extend new credit during the workout period. In a similar way, the creditors may also be willing to accept a lower interest rate on the loans during the extension period. This may be perhaps in exchange for a pledge of collateral. Because of the sacrifices that are involved, the creditors should have more faith than the debtor firm will able to solve the problems.

In comparison to this, the creditors agree to reduce their claims. Typically, the creditors receive the cash and the new securities that have a combined market value that is less than the amounts owed to them. Generally it is observed that bargaining is taking place between the debtors and the creditors over the savings that in turn results from avoiding the cost of legal bankruptcy, administrative cost, legal fees, and investigative cost and so on. In addition to get away from such costs the debtor feels relieved that the stigma of bankruptcy is not put on him. It is also sometimes seen that the bargaining process may lead to the process of restructuring that may involve both extension as well as composition. As an example, the settlement may provide for a cash payment of 25% of the debt amount immediately, along with a new note that promises six future installments of 10% each for a total payment of 85%.

The process of voluntary settlement is both informal as well as simple. They are also relatively cheap because the legal and the administrative expenses that are associated with it are limited to the minimum amount as a result of which the voluntary procedures normally result in the maximum return to the creditors. Although the creditors do not receive the payments immediately, and may some times have to accept an amount that is lower than that owed to them, they generally recover more money and sooner than in case the firm were to file a bankruptcy. Restructuring process also enjoys the benefit of avoiding the loss that is incurred by the creditors. So a bank that is facing distress with its regulators over weak capital ratios may even agree to extend further loans that may be used to pay the interest on the earlier loans in order to keep the bank from having to write down the values of the earlier loans. It is to be kept in mind that the informal voluntary settlements are not limited to the smaller firms. Recent studies have confirmed that they can extensively be used even by the larger firms. The biggest problem that is encountered by informal reorganization is getting all the parties to agree to the voluntary plan. This problem termed as the hold out problem is discussed in the chapter.

Informal Liquidation

When the management of the firm realizes that the value of the firm is more when it is dead than it is alive, it may resort to informal procedures to liquidate the firm. Assignment is an informal procedure for the purpose of liquidating a firm. This process generally yields them a greater return that they would have received in formal bankruptcy liquidation. However, the feasibility of the assignments finds its significance only when the firm is small and the affairs of the firm are not that complex. Assignments enjoy certain advantages over the process of

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liquidation in the American bankruptcy Courts, in terms of time, legal formality, and expense. The assignee has more flexibility in disposing a property than does a federal bankruptcy trustee. So an action can be taken much faster when the inventory becomes obsolete or the machine rusts. At the same time it is to be remembered that the assignment does not automatically result in a full and legal discharge of all the debtors liabilities and neither does it protect the creditors against fraud. Formal liquidation in bankruptcy can help in solving both these problems.

Causes and Effects of Financial Distress

Before going in for a detailed analysis of the causes and effects of financial distress, let us first try to find an answer to the following questions. These questions basically revolve round the primary reasons for a firm experiencing financial distress; the effects of the distressed firms etc., let us answer these questions using a top-down approach. The discussion will be dealt in two separate sections. The first will speak more about the macroeconomic growth and the government policies and the regulations that center around the financial distress rates. The second section will deal with the ways by which the financial distress can be related to the industrial factors. It is to be borne in mind that the concept of financial distress is nothing new in the area of corporate finance. Here we try to focus more on the causes and effects of the financial distress that is encountered by firms around the globe.

Macro Level factors affecting the Financial Distress, Liquidity and Recession

In his study, Bernanke (1981) made some key findings on the relationship among liquidity, economic growth and financial distress. His argument stressed on the fact that the existence of bankruptcy risk plays a role in the propagation of recession for both the firms as well as individuals. He says, that bankruptcy leads to social costs, as a result of which almost all the agents try to avoid the consequence of bankruptcy costs. From the viewpoint of the consumers, they try to avoid it by retaining considerable amount of liquid assets so as to meet their fixed expenses, the banks and the tenders try to avoid it by being selective as far as their borrowers are concerned and by limiting the size of the loan with recession creeping into any system, there is the reduction in the cash flow income that is available to meet the current obligation. This, in turn, increases the uncertainty about the future liquidity needs.

There is also the general demand to bring solvency which consequently results in a reduced demand for consumer and producer durables, which again may generate further income reduction. Bernanke's study focused on the critical relationship among the changes in liquidity, financial distress and recession for both the consumer and firms. He postulates, that recession leads to the creation of financial distress by bridging the gap of margin between cash flow and debt service. When there is a constrained flow, the fall in the current income reduces the expenditure on illiquid, long lived assets. Two reasons can be attributed for this. The first being, the lower level of current income enhances the short run probability, so that the flow constraint has to be satisfied through expensive means. Say for example, the distress rate of assets, borrowing at unfavorable terms, severe reduction in the current standards of living or even the last possible resort, the bankruptcy of the firm. The other reason being, the fall in the current level of income, reflects a hazy implication for the estimate by the consumer of the future income flows and thus too, for the level of durables holding consistent with maintenance of solvency in the long run. It must be remembered that, firms must bring together and balance the long-term spending plans with the need for having the cash flow so as to meet the short-term obligations. With a low level of internal liquidity, coupled with many fixed expenses, there is the possibility of increase in the level of financial embarrassment, for at least they raise the cost of new financing. At the same time, postponement of capital expenditures is a proper defence mechanism of the balance sheet, against any expected fall in the current income. Bernanke has also stated the cause of bankruptcy. His suggestion is somewhat based on moral hazard. It is not possible for the tenders to perceive the objective conditions on which borrowers base their portfolio decisions. If a tender does not build a reputation for pressing his claims the borrowers will have an incentive to become more of illiquid so as to force an improvement in terms.

MONETARY POLICY

Bernanke's study on the liquidity takes us back to the critical role of the monetary policy on the overall liquidity of a nation. The overall liquidity of the US is governed by the Federal Reserve Board through its open market transactions. These operations may include the Fed's buying and selling of the US treasury bills out of its considerable inventory, so as to have an effect on its liquidity on either ways. When the Fed buys the bills, as an expansionary mechanism, it adds on to the legal reserves to the banking industry, that the nation's banks can use in creation of new loans on a multiplied basis. On the other hand, selling of the T-bills has a contractionary effect. The short-term interest rates fall when the Fed is pursuing an expansionary policy and rises when the contractionary policy is followed. The primary duty of the Fed is protecting the purchasing power of the dollar, while at the same time ensuring a sustainable level of real growth in the economy. The operation of the Fed is under the assumption that inflation and real economic growth is positively correlated. But, if the

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real economic growth is weak, the Fed can pursue an expansionary policy without concerning much about inflation. In situations, where the economy is growing at a high and presumably at a rate that is unsustainable, the Fed steps in to make corrections. It is the contractionary policy to bring down the level of inflation. At the same time, it is to be remembered that, as a result of such monetary policies, the interest rates also rise, and entail a much tighter limit on the availability of the short-term loans. These events, along with the subsequent slow down of the economy itself, leads to an increase in the financial distress of all firms, particularly those firms that are relatively weak in financial terms or those that are highly levered.

Reversal Fortune: From Diversification to Focus

The effect of the reversal on financial distress can be viewed from many angles, in one instance, it was found that when the changes to the corporate focus began to take shape, many of the inefficient conglomerates that were facing keener competition became financially distressed. The traditional thinking says that, the economies of scope have been reversed in the 1980s. Managers of today tend to focus more on the core business, and they are more likely to rationalize mergers and growth strategies, as well as divestitures and restructuring, as a reflection of a strategy for specialization. This particular view is a deviation from the steady increase in diversification since the 1950s, and from the several theoretical justifications for diversification that have since been evolved. They may include -

i. Managerial economies of scaleii. Economies of scope in production and marketing iii. Financial synergies.

Industry Level Causes of Financial Distress

The industry level causes of financial distress can be said to be a three tier system, They are competition, industry shocks and deregulation. Let us now discuss each of these factors in detail.

Competition

For identifying the possible industry level causes of financial distress, one can resort to Michael Porter's five forces model. The five forces that are included in it are

a. Barriers to entryb. Bargaining power of suppliersc. Bargaining power of buyersd. Threat of substitute productse. Rivalry among the competing firms.

Each of the above stated factors is associated with the financial distress of an individual firm that operates within the industry. One of the possible implications of the stated factors is that the firms in the different industries display different level of competition as well as different profit sensitivities to the changes in the macroeconomic and industry conditions over time. Financial distress is likely to be more in case of larger firms than that of the smaller ones as per conclusions drawn from Williams analysis. The author further states that a highly leveraged firm will commit to riskier projects as well as aggressive product market strategies so as to prevent other firms from entry.

Industry Shocks

Any negative shock to the demand of the product or its cost, especially over a period of time, eventually forces a shakeout of firms in the industry. The weakest of the firms are forced into bankruptcy or they must consider being taken over by a stronger firm in the industry. Studies conducted by Mitchell & Mulherin (1996) tested the proposition that industry shocks contribute to the frequency of takeover and restructuring activities. The shocks include, deregulation, changes in input costs of innovations in financial technology that brings about changes in the industry structures. In a separate study, Long and Srulz (1992) examined the effect of bankruptcy announcements by one firm on the values of other firms in the industry. They tested for two contradicting effects. One may be the contagion effect. The market may pull down the values of other firms within the industry because of the fact that the bankruptcy announcement brings new, negative information about the status of the industry as a whole. On the other hand, the market may also raise the value of other firms in the industry because one of their rival firms has failed. It has been found out that the balance between these contrary views is dependent on the financial characteristics of the firm, within the industry.

Industry Deregulation143

The process of deregulation in an industry can bring in financial distress in many firms. This is mainly because of the fact, that deregulation within the industry brings forth a change in the economic structure of the industry. Let us now try to focus on some of the studies that reveal the effects of financial position of a firm due to deregulation creeping in. In their studies conducted in 1986, Chen and Mercrilte studied the forced break up of AT&T, that was initiated by Court Order on first of January 1984, and continued for almost two years. The authors concentrated on the issue on whether the break up resulted in wealth transfers among the security claimants of AT&T and other stakeholders as well. The findings of their studies showed that economically significant events took place during the deregulation process, which resulted in the transfer of funds from third parties to the operating company shareholders. At the same time, it was also observed that, no transfer of wealth from the bondholders to stockholders took place during the deregulation process. In another study, Kote and Lehn (1999) examined the effects of the Airlines Deregulation Act of 1978, along with the associated increase in competition, on airline firm's governance structures. They were able to develop several hypotheses about the expected effects based on the agency theory. They stated that deregulation may bring in the concentration of equity ownership. Deregulation may also lead to the increase in the costs of monitoring managers. This can have a dual effect. The first being, the outside shareholder will engage in monitoring only if his private benefits, which are proportional to his equity stake, exceed the cost of monitoring. The other effect being, in order to internalize the agency problems that are associated with higher monitoring costs, the managers themselves may own larger stakes so that they can have a larger proportion of wealth associated with their decisions. The authors also made predictions regarding the increase in the level of executive compensation for the airline executives, and also involving a change in the form of the compensation provided. They also put forth the argument that before the process of deregulation, the executives pay would relatively be more sensitive towards the firm's earnings, whereas it would be more sensitive towards the stock's price after the process of deregulation.

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Chapter 7Valuation

Most important business decisions require capital. For example, when Daimler-Ben decided to develop the Mercedes ML 320 sports utility vehicle and to build a plat is Alabama to produce it, Daimler had to estimate the total investment that would be re quired and the cost of the required capital. The expected rate of return exceeded the cost of the capital, so Daimler went ahead with the project. Microsoft had to make a I similar decision with Windows 2000, Pfizer with Viagra, and Harcourt when it de- cided to publish this textbook.

Mergers and acquisitions often require enormous amounts of capital. For example. I Vodafone Group, a large telecommunications company in the United Kingdom, spent I £60 billion to acquire Air7buch Communications, a U.S. telecommunications com- pany, in 1999. The resulting company, Vodafone AirTouch, later made a $124 billion I offer for Mannesmann, a German company. In both cases, Vodafone estimated the in- cremental cash flows that would result from the acquisition, then discounted those cash flows at the estimated cost of capital. The resulting values were greater than the I targets' market prices, so Vodafone made the offers.

As these examples illustrate, the cost of capital is a critical element in business de- cisions. When the decision involves a single project, it is called a "capital budgeting decision." Companies that consistently make wise capital budgeting choices create value for their investors, hence it is important for managers to understand the capital budgeting process. The cost of capital is also necessary to estimate the value of an entire company. When evaluating a potential acquisition, it is vital to have a reliable estimate of the company's value,. It is also important for a company to de- velop a corporate valuation model for itself. Such a model provides insights into the sources of the company's value, and it can be used to guide managers when they evaluate alternative courses of action.

Recent survey evidence indicates that almost half of all large companies use com- pensation plans based on the concept of Economic Value Added (EVA). EVA is the difference between net operating profit after-taxes (NOPAT) and a charge for capital, where the capital charge is calculated by multiplying the amount of capital by the cost of capital. Thus, the cost of capital is an increasingly important component of compensation plans.

The cost of capital is also a key factor in decisions relating the use of debt versus equity capital. Finally, the cost of capital is an important factor in the regulation of electric, gas, and telephone companies. These utilities are natural monopolies in the sense that one firm can supply service at a lower cost than could two or more firms. Because it has a monopoly, your electric or telephone company could, if it were unregulated, exploit you. Therefore, regulators (1) determine the cost of the capital investors have provided the utility and (2) then set rates designed to permit the company to earn its cost of capital, no more and no less.

The Weighted Average Cost of Capital

What precisely do the terms "cost of capital" and "weighted average cost of capital" mean? To begin, note that it is possible to finance a firm entirely with common equity. However, most firms employ several types of capital, called capital components, with common and preferred stock, along with debt, being the three most frequently used types. All capital components have one feature in common: The investors who provided the funds expect to receive a return on their investment.

If a firm's only investors were common stockholders, then the cost of capital used in capital budgeting would be the required rate of return on equity. However, most firms employ different types of capital, and, due to differences in risk, these different securities have different required rates of return. The required rate of return on each capital component is called its component cost, and the cost of capital used to ana-lyze capital budgeting decisions should be a weighted average of the various components' costs. We call this weighted average just that, the weighted average cost of capital, or WACC.

Most firms set target percentages for the different financing sources. For example, National Computer Corporation (NCC) plans to raise 30 percent of its required capital as debt, 10 percent as preferred stock, and 60 percent as common equity. This is its target capital structure. but for now simply accept NCC's 30/10/60 debt, preferred, and common percentages as given.

Although NCC and other firms try to stay close to their target capital structures, they frequently deviate in the short run for several reasons. First, market conditions may be more favorable in one market than another at a particular time. For example, if the stock market is extremely strong, a company may decide that now is a good time to issue common stock. The second, and probably more important, reason for deviations relates to flotation costs, which are the costs that a firm must incur to issue securities. Flotation costs are addressed in detail later in the chapter, but note that these costs are to a large extent fixed, so they become prohibitively high if small

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amounts of capital are raised. Thus, it is inefficient and expensive to issue relatively small amounts of debt, preferred stock, and common stock. Therefore, a company might issue common stock one year, debt in the next couple of years, and preferred the following year, thus fluctuating around its target capital structure rather than staying right on it all the time.

This situation can cause managers to make a serious error in their capital budgeting. To illustrate, assume that NCC is currently at its target capital structure, and it is now considering how to raise capital to finance next year's projects. NCC could raise a combination of debt and equity, but to minimize flotation costs it will raise either debt or equity, but not both. Let's suppose it decides to issue debt, at a cost of 8 percent. The argument is sometimes made that the cost of capital this year is 8 percent, because only debt at 8 percent will be used. However, this is incorrect. If NCC finances this year's projects with debt, it will move away from its target capital structure. Then, as expansion occurs in the future, it will at some point find it necessary to raise additional equity.

Now suppose NCC borrows heavily at 8 percent during 2 002, using up its debt capacity in the process, to finance projects that yield 10 percent. In 2003, it has new projects available that yield 13 percent, well above the return on the 2002 projects. However, because it used up its debt capacity in 2002, it must issue equity, which costs 15.3 percent. Therefore, the company might reject these 13 percent projects because they would have to be financed with 15.3 percent money.

However, this entire capital budgeting process would be incorrect. Why should a company accept 10 percent projects one year and then reject 13 percent projects the next? Note also that if NCC had reversed the order of its financing, raising equity in 2002 and debt in 2003, it would have reversed its capital budgeting decisions, rejecting all projects in 2 002 and accepting them all in 2 003. Does it make sense to accept or reject projects just because of the more or less arbitrary sequence in which capital is raised? The answer is no. To avoid such errors, managers should view companies as ongoing concerns, and calculate their costs of capital as weighted averages of the various types of fonds they use, regardless of the specific source of financing employed in a particular year.

The following sections discuss each of the component costs in more detail, and then we show how to combine them to calculate the weighted average cost of capital.

Cost of Debt, kd (1 - T)

The first step in estimating the cost of debt is to determine the rate of return debtholders require, or kd. Although estimating kd is conceptually straightforward, some problems arise in practice. Companies use both fixed and floating rate debt, straight and convertible debt, and debt with and without sinking funds, and each form has a somewhat different cost.

It is unlikely that the financial manager will know at the start of a planning period the exact types and amounts of debt that will be used during the period: The type or types used will depend on the specific assets to be financed and on capital market conditions as they develop over time. Even so, the financial manager does know what types of debt are typical for his or her firm. For example, NCC typically issues commercial paper to raise short-terrn money to finance working capital, and it issues 30-year bonds to raise long-term debt used to finance its capital budgeting projects. Since the WACC is used primarily in capital budgeting, NCC's treasurer uses the cost of 30-year bonds in her WACC estimate.

Assume that it is January 2002, and NCC's treasurer is estimating the WACC for the coming year. How should she calculate the component cost of debt? Most financial managers would begin by discussing current and prospective interest rates with their investment bankers. Assume that NCC's bankers state that a new 30-year, non-callable, straight bond issue would require an 11 percent coupon rate with semiannual payments, and that it would be offered to the public at its $1,000 par value. Therefore, kd is equal to 11 percent.

Note that the 11 percent is the cost of new, or marginal, debt, and it will probably not be the same as the average rate on NCC's previously issued debt, which is called the historical, or embedded, rate. The embedded cost is important for some decisions but not for others. For example, the average cost of all the capital raised in the past and still outstanding is used by regulators when they determine the rate of return a public utility should be allowed to earn. However, in financial management the WACC is used primarily to make investment decisions, and these decisions hinge on projects' returns versus the cost of new, or marginal, capital. Thus, for our purposes, the relevant cost is the marginal cost of new debt To be raised during the planning period.

Suppose NCC had issued debt in the past, and its bonds are publicly traded. The financial staff could use the market price of the bonds to find their yield to maturity (or yield to call if the bonds sell at a premium and are

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likely to be called). The YTM (or YTC) is the rate of return the existing bondholders expect to receive, and it is also a good estimate of kj, the rate of return that new bondholders would require.

If NCC had no publicly traded debt, its staff could look at yields on publicly traded debt of similar firms. This too should provide a reasonable estimate of kd

The required return to debtholders, kd, is not equal to the company's cost of debt because, since interest payments are deductible, the government in effect pays part of the total cost. As a result, the cost of debt to the firm is less than the rate of return required by debtholders.

The after-tax cost of debt, kd(1 - T), is used to calculate the weighted average cost of capital, and it is the interest rate on debt, kd, less the tax savings-that result because interest is deductible. This is the same as kd multiplied by (1 — T), where T is the firm's marginal tax rate:"

After –tax component cost of debt = Interest rate – Tax savings= kd - kdT= kd (1 - T)

Therefore, if NCC can borrow at an interest rate of 11 percent, and if it has a marginal federal-plus-state tax rate of 40 percent, then its after-tax cost of debt is 6.6 percent:

kd(l -T) - 11%(1.0 - 0.4) - 11% (0.6) = 6-6%.

Cost of Preferred Stock, kps

A number of firms, including NCC, use preferred stock as part of their permanent financing mix. Preferred dividends are not tax deductible. Therefore, the company bears their full cost, and no tax adjustment is used -when calculating the cost of preferrd stock. Note too that while some preferreds are issued without a stated maturity date, today most have a sinking fund that effectively limits their life. Finally, although it is not mandatory that preferred dividends be paid, firms generally have every intention of doing so, because otherwise (1) they cannot pay dividends on their common stock, (2) they will find it difficult to raise additional funds in the capital markets, and (3) in some cases preferred stockholders can take control of the firm.

The component cost of preferred stock used to calculate the weighted average cost of capital, kps, is the preferred dividend, Dps, divided by the net issuing price, Pm which is the price the firm receives after deducting flotation costs:

Component cost of preferred stock = kps =

Flotation costs are higher for preferred stock than for debt, hence they are incorporated into the formula for preferred stocks' costs.

To illustrate the calculation, assume that NCC has preferred stock that pays a $10 dividend per share and sells for $100 per share. If NCC issued new shares of preferred, it would incur an underwriting (or flotation) cost of 2.5 percent, or $2.50 per share, so it would net $97.50 per share. Therefore, NCC's cost of preferred stock is 10,3 percent:

kps- $10/$97.50 = 10.3%.

Cost of Common Stock, ks

Companies can raise common equity in two ways: (1) by issuing new shares and (2) by I retaining earnings. If new shares are issued, what rate of return must the company earn to satisfy the new stockholders? In Chapter 6, we saw that investors require a return of ks. However, a company must earn more than ks on new external equity to provide this rate of return to investors because there are commissions and fees, called flotation costs, when a firm issues new equity.

Few mature firms issue new shares of common stock.4 In fact, less than 2 percent of all new corporate funds come from the external equity market. There are three reasons for this:

1. Flotation costs can be quite high, as we show later in this chapter.

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2. Investors perceive issuing equity as a negative signal with respect to the true value of the company's stock. Investors believe that managers have superior knowledge about companies' future prospects, and that managers are most likely to issue new stock when they think the current stock price is higher than the true value. Therefore, if a mature company announces plans to issue additional shares, this typically causes its stock price to decline.

3. An increase in the supply of stock will put pressure on the stock's price, forcing the company to sell the new stock at a lower price than existed before the new issue was announced.

There are times when companies should issue stock in spite of these problems, hence we discuss stock issues later in the chapter. However, for the most part we assume that the companies in our examples, like most, do not plan to issue new shares.

Does new equity capital raised by retaining earnings have a cost? The answer is a resounding yes. If some of its earnings are retained, then stockholders will incur an opportunity cost—the earnings could have been paid out as dividends (or used to repurchase stock), in which case stockholders could then have reinvested the money in stocks, bonds, real estate, and so on. Thus, the firm should earn on its reinvested earnings at least as much as its stockholders themselves could earn on alternative investments of equivalent risk.

What rate of return can stockholders expect to earn on equivalent-risk investments? The answer is ksp, because they expect to earn that return by simply buying the stock of the firm in question or that of a similar firm. Therefore, ks is the cost of common equity raised internally by retaining earnings. If a company cannot earn at least ks on reinvested earnings, then it should pass those earnings on to its stockholders and let them invest the money themselves in assets that do provide ks.

Whereas debt and preferred stock are contractual obligations that have easily determined costs, it is more difficult to estimate ks... However, we can employ the principles described in Chapters 6 and 10 to produce reasonably good cost of equity estimates. Three methods typically are used: (1) the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), (2) the discounted cash flow (DCF) method, and (3) the bond-yield-plus-risk-premium approach. These methods are not mutually exclusive—no method dominates the others, and all are subject to error when used in practice. Therefore, when faced with the task of estimating a company's cost of equity, we generally use all three methods and then choose among them on the basis of our confidence in the data used for each in the specific case at hand.

The CAPM Approach

To estimate the cost of common stock using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) as discussed in Chapter 6, we proceed as follows:

Step 1. Estimate the risk-free rate, kRF.

Step 2. Estimate the current expected market risk premium, RPM-'

Step 3. Estimate the stock's beta coefficient, b,, and use it as an index of the stock's

risk. The i signifies the ith company's beta. Step 4. Substitute the preceding values into the CAPM equation to estimate the required rate of return on the stock in Question:

ks = kRF + (RPM)bF

Equation 11-3 shows that the CAPM estimate of ks begins with the risk-free rate, kRfh I to which is added a risk premium set equal to the risk premium on the market, RPM, I scaled up or down to reflect the particular stock's risk as measured by its beta coefficient. The following sections explain how to implement the four-step process.

Estimating the Risk-Free Rate

The starting point for the CAPM cost of equity estimate is kRF, the risk-free rate, There is really no such thing as a truly riskless asset in the U.S. economy. Treasury securities are essentially free of default risk, but nonindexed long-term T-bonds will suffer capital losses if interest rates rise, and a portfolio of short-term T-bills will provide a volatile earnings stream because the rate earned on T-bills varies over time.

Since we cannot in practice find a truly riskless rate upon which to base the CAPM, what rate should we use? A recent survey of highly regarded companies shows that about two-thirds of the companies use the rate on long-term Treasury bonds. We agree with their choice, and here are our reasons:

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1. Common stocks are long-term securities, and although a particular stockholder may not have a long investment horizon, most stockholders do invest on a long-term basis. Therefore, it is reasonable to think that stock returns embody long-term inflation expectations similar to those reflected in bonds rather than the short-term expectations in bills.

2. Treasury bill rates are more volatile than are Treasury bond rates and, most experts agree, more volatile than ks...

3. In theory, the CAPM is supposed to measure the expected return over a particular holding period. When it is used to estimate the cost of equity for a project, the theoretically correct holding period is the life of the project. Since many projects have long lives, the holding period for the CAPM also should be long. Therefore, the | rate on a long-term T-bond is a logical choice for the risk-free rate.

In light of the preceding discussion, we believe that the cost of common equity is more closely related to Treasury bond rates than to T-bill rates. This leads us to favor T-bonds as the base rate, or kRF, in a CAPM cost of equity analysis. T-bond rates can, be found in The Wall Street Journal or the Federal Reserve Bulletin, Generally, we use the yield on a 10-year T-bond as the proxy for the risk-free rate.

Estimating the Market Risk Premium

The market risk premium, RPM, is the expected market return minus the risk-free rate, kM — kRF. It can be estimated on the basis of (1) historical data or (2) forward-looking data.

Historical Risk Premium A very complete and accurate historical risk premium study, updated annually, is available from Ibbotson Associates, who examine market data over long periods of time to find the average annual rates of return on stocks, T-bills, T-bonds, and a set of high-grade corporate bonds. For example, Table 7.1 summarizes some results from their 2000 study, which covers the period 1926-1999.

TABLE 7.1 Selected Ibbotson Associates Data, 1926-1999

Arithmetic Mean Geometric Mean Average Rates of Return Common stocks 13.3% 11.3%

Long-term corporate bonds 5.9 5.6Long-term government bonds 5.5 5.1Treasury bills 3.8 3.8inflation rate 3.2 3.1Implied Risk Premiums

Common stocks over T-bills 9.5% 7.5%Common stocks over T-bonds "7,8 6.2

Note that common stocks provided the highest average return over the 74-year period, while Treasury bills gave the lowest. T-bills barely covered inflation, while common stock provided a substantial real return. Table 7-1 also reports the implied risk premiums, or differences, between stocks and Treasury securities. Note that the risk premium of stocks over long-term T-bonds is about 7.8 percent when using the arithmetic average and about 6.2 percent when using the geometric average. This leads to the question of which average to use. Keep in mind that the logic behind using historical risk premiums to estimate the current risk premium is the basic assumption that the future will resemble the past. If this assumption is reasonable, then the annual arithmetic average is the theoretically correct predictor for next year's risk premium. On the other hand, the geometric average is a better predictor of the risk premium over a longer future interval, say, the next 20 years.

However, it is not at all clear that the future will be like die past. For example, the choice of the beginning and ending periods can have a major effect on the calculated risk premiums. Ibbotson Associates used the longest period available to them, but had their data begun some years earlier or later, or ended earlier, their results would have been very different. In fact, using data for the past 3 0 or 40 years, the arithmetic average market risk premium has ranged from 5 to 6 percent, which is quite different than the 7.8 percent over the last 74 years. Note too that using periods as short as 5 to 10 years can lead to bizarre results. Indeed, over many periods the Ibbotson data would indicate negative risk premiums, which would lead to the conclusion that Treasury securities have a higher required return than common stocks. That, of course, is contrary to both financial theory and common sense. All this suggests that historical risk premiums should be approached with caution. As one businessman muttered after listening to a professor give a lecture on the CAPM, "Beware of academicians bearing gifts"

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forward-Looking Risk Premiums The historical approach to risk premiums used by Ibbotson Associates assumes that investors expect future results, on average, to equal past results. However, as we noted, the estimated risk premium varies greatly depending on the period selected, and, in any event, investors today probably expect results in the future to be different from those achieved during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the World War II years of the 1940s, and the peaceful boom years of the 1950s, all of which are included (and given equal weight with more recent results) in the bbotson data. The questionable assumption that future expectations are equal to past realizations, together with the sometimes nonsensical results obtained in historical risk I premium studies, has led to a search for forward-looking, or ex ante, risk premiums.

The most common approach to forward-looking premiums is to use the discounted cash flow (DCF) model to estimate the expected market rate of return, kM =

kM, then to calculate RPM as kM — kRF, and finally to use this estimate of RPM in the Security Market Line. This procedure recognizes that if markets are in equilibrium, the expected rate of return on the market is also its required rate of return, so when we estimate kM) we are also estimating kM:

Since Dj for the market as measured by the S&P 500 or some other index can be predicted quite accurately, and since the current market value of the index (used for P0}is I also known, the major task is to estimate g, the average expected long-term growth rate for the market index. Even here, however, the estimation task is simplified because one can reasonably assume a constant long-term growth rate for a portfolio of mature stocks such as those in the S&P 500.

Financial services companies such as Value Line publish, on a regular basis, a forecast based on DCF methodology for the expected rate of return on the market, kM. One can subtract the current T-bond rate from such a market forecast to obtain an estimate of the current market risk premium, RPM-

Two potential problems arise when we attempt to use data from organizations such as Value Line. First, what we really want is the marginal investor's expectations, not those of a security analyst. However, this is probably not a major problem, since several studies have proved beyond much doubt that investors, on average, form their own expectations on the basis of professional analysts' forecasts. The second problem is that there are a number of securities firms besides Value Line, and, at any given time, different analysts' forecasts of future market returns are somewhat different. This suggests that it would be most appropriate to obtain a number of forecasts of kM and then to use the average value to estimate RPM for use in the SML. Several services (including Zacks and Institutional Brokers Estimate System, or IBES) publish data on the forecasts of essentially all widely followed analysts. Therefore, one can use the Zacks or IBES aggregate growth rate forecast, along with an aggregate dividend yield, to develop a consensus RPM forecast and thus avoid potential bias from the use of only one organization's estimate. However, we have followed the forecasts of several of the larger organizations over a period of several years, and we have rarely found their kM estimates to differ by more than ±0.3 percentage point from one another. Note, though, that ex ante risk premiums are not stable: they vary over time. Therefore, when using the CAPM to estimate the cost of equity, it is best to use a current estimate of the ex ante RPM. In recent years, the forward-looking risk premium has been in the range of 4.5 to 6.5 percent.

Our View on the Market Risk Premium After reading the previous sections, you might well be confused about the correct market risk premium, since the different approaches give different results. Using the historical Ibbotson data over die last 74 years, it appears that the market risk premium is somewhere between 6.2 and 7.8 percent, depending on whether you use an arithmetic average or a geometric average. However, in the past 30 to 40 years, the historical premium has been in the range of 5 to 6 percent. Using the forward-looking approach, it appears that the market risk premium is somewhere in the area of 4.5 to 5.5 percent. To further muddy the waters, the previously cited survey indicates that 37 percent of responding companies use a market risk premium of 5 to 6 percent, 15 percent use a premium provided by their financial advisors (who typically make a recommendation of about 7 percent), and 11 percent use a premium in the range of 4 to 4.5 percent. Moreover, it has been toward the low end of the range when interest rates were high and toward the high end when rates were low.

Here is our opinion. The risk premium is driven primarily by investors' attitudes toward risk, and there are good reasons to believe that investors are less risk averse today than 50 years ago. The advent of pension plans, Social Security, health insurance, and disability insurance means that people today can take more chances with their investments, which should make them less risk averse. Also, many households have dual incomes, which also allows investors to take more chances. Finally, the historical average return on the market as Ibbotson

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measures it is probably too high due to a survivorship bias. Patting it all together, we conclude that the true risk premium in 2001 is almost certainly lower than the long-term historical average of more than 7 percent.

But how much lower is the current premium? In our consulting, we typically use a risk premium of 5 percent; hut we would have a hard time arguing with someone who used a risk premium in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 percent. The bottom line is that there is no way to prove that a particular risk premium is either right or wrong, although we are extremely doubtful that the premium market is less than 4 percent or greater than 6 percent.

Estimating Beta

Recall from Chapter 6 that beta is usually estimated as the slope coefficient in a regression, with the company's stock returns on the y-axis and market returns on the x-axis. The resulting beta is called the historical beta, since it is based on historical data. Although this approach is conceptually straightforward, complications quickly arise in practice. We described these complications in detail in Chapter 7, but it is worthwhile to repeat some of them here.

First, there is no theoretical guidance as to the correct holding period over which to measure returns. The returns for a company can be calculated using daily, weekly, or monthly time periods, and the resulting estimates of beta will differ. Beta is also sensitive to the number of observations used in the regression. With too few observations, the regression loses statistical power, but with too many, the "true" beta may have changed during the sample period. In practice, it is common to use either four to five years of monthly returns or one to two years of weekly returns.

Second, the market return should, theoretically, reflect every asset, even the human capital being built by students. In practice, however, it is common to use only an index of common stocks such as the S&P 500, the NYSE Composite, or the Wilshire 5000. Even though these indexes are highly correlated with one another, using different indexes in the regression will often result in different estimates of beta.

Third, some organizations modify the calculated historical beta in order to produce what they deem to be a more accurate estimate of the "true" beta, where the true beta is the one that reflects the risk perceptions of the marginal investor. One modification, called an adjusted beta, attempts to correct a possible statistical bias by adjusting the historical beta to make it closer to the average beta of 1.0. Another modification, called a fundamental beta, incorporates information about the company, such as changes in its product lines and capital structure.

Fourth, even the best estimates of beta for an individual company are statistically imprecise. The average company has an estimated beta of 1.0, but the 95 percent confidence interval ranges from about 0.6 to 1.4. For example, if your regression produces an estimated beta of 1.0, then you can be 95 percent sure that the true beta is in the range of 0.6 to 1.4.

So, you should always bear in mind that while the estimated beta is useful when calculating the required return on stock, it is not absolutely correct. Therefore, managers and financial analysts must learn to live with some uncertainty when estimating the cost of capital.

An Illustration of the CAPM Approach

To illustrate the CAPM approach for NCC, assume that kRF = 8%, RPM = 6%, and bi = 1.1, indicating that NCC is somewhat riskier than average. Therefore, NCC's cost of equity is 14.6 percent:

It should be noted that although the CAPM approach appears to yield an accurate, precise estimate of kg, there are actually several problems with it. First, if a firm's stockholders are not well diversified, they may be concerned with stand-alone risk in addition to market risk. In that case, the firm's true investment risk would not be measured by its beta, and the CAPM procedure would understate the correct value of kj.. Further, even if the CAPM method is valid, it is hard to know the correct estimates of the inputs required to make it operational because (1) it is hard to estimate the beta that investors expect the company to have in the future, and (2) it is difficult to estimate the market risk premium.

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Dividend – Yield – plus –Growth – Rate, or Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Approach

In Chapter 10, we saw that both the price and the expected rate of return on a share of common stock depends on the dividends expected on the stock:

P0 =

=

Here PQ is the current price of the stock; Dt is the dividend expected to be paid at the end of Year t; and ks is the required rate of return. If dividends are expected to grow at a constant rate, then Equation 11-4 reduces to

P0 =

We can solve for ks to obtain the required rate of return on common equity, which for the marginal investor is also equal to the expected rate of return:

Ks = ks = + Expected g.

Thus, investors expect to receive a dividend yield, Di/P0, plus a capital gain, g, for a total expected return of ks. In equilibrium this expected return is also equal to the required return, ks. This method of estimating the cost of equity is called the discounted cash flow, or DCF, method. Henceforth, we will assume that equilibrium exists, hence ks = ks, so we can use the terms ks and ks interchangeably.

Estimating inputs for the DCF Approach

Three inputs are required to use the DCF approach: the current stock price, the current dividend, and the expected growth in dividends. Of these inputs, the growth rate is by far the most difficult to estimate. The following sections describe the most commonly used approaches for estimating the growth rate: (1) historical growth rates, (2) the retention growth model, and (3) analysts' forecasts.

Historical Growth Rates First, if earnings and dividend growth rates have been relatively stable in the past, and if investors expect these trends to continue, then the past realized growth rate may be used as an estimate of the expected future growth rate.

We illustrate several different methods for estimating historical growth in the file Ch 11 Tool Kit.xls on the textbook's CD-ROM. For NCC, these different methods produce estimates of historical growth ranging from 4.6 percent to 11.0 percent, with most estimates fairly close to 7 percent.

As the Ch 11 Tool Kit.xls shows, one can take a given set of historical data and, depending on the years and the calculation method used, obtain a large number of quite different growth rates. Now recall our purpose in making these calculations: We are seeking the future dividend growth rate that investors expect, and we reasoned that, if past growth rates have been stable, then investors might base future expectations on past trends. This is a reasonable proposition, but, unfortunately, we rarely find much historical stability. Therefore, the use of historical growth rates in a DCF analysis must be applied with judgment, and also be used (if at all) in conjunction with ^-' ~r growth estimation methods as discussed next.

Retention Growth Model Another method for estimating the growth rate is to use the retention growth model;

G = b(r)

Here r is the expected future return on equity (ROE), and b is the fraction or its earnings that a firm is expected to retain (1 — Payout ratio). Equation 11-7 produces a constant growth rate, but when we use it we are, by implication, making four important assumptions: (1) We expect the payout rate, and thus the retention rate, b = 1 -Payout, to remain constant; (2) we expect the return on equity on new investment, r, to equal the firm's current ROE, which implies that we expect the return on equity to remain constant; (3) the firm is not expected

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to issue new common stock, or, if it does, we expect this new stock to be sold at a price equal to its book value; and (4) future projects are expected to have the same degree of risk as the firm's existing assets.

Bond – Yield-plus-Risk –Premium Approach

Some analysts use a subjective, ad hoc procedure to estimate a firm's cost of common equity: they simply add a judgmental risk premium of 3 to 5 percentage points to the interest rate on the firm's own long-term debt. It is logical to think that firms with risky, low-rated, and consequently high-interest-rate debt will also have risky, high-cost equity, and the procedure of basing the cost of equity on a readily observable debt cost utilizes this logic. For example, if an extremely strong firm such as BellSouth had bonds which yielded 8 percent, its cost of equity might be estimated as follows:

ks = Bond yield + Risk premium = 8% 4- 4% - 12%.

The bonds of NCC, a riskier company, have a yield of 10.4 percent, making its estimated cost of equity 14-4 percent:

ks - 10.4% + 4% - 14.4%.

Because the 4 percent risk premium is a judgmental estimate, the estimated value of ks. is also judgmental. Empirical work in recent years suggests that the risk premium over a firm's own bond yield has generally ranged from 3 to 5 percentage points, so this method is not likely to produce a precise cost of equity. However, it can get us "into the right ballpark."

Comparison of the CAPM, DCF, and Bond-Yield-plus –Risk – Premium Methods

We have discussed three methods for estimating the required return on common stock. For NCC, the CAPM estimate is 14.6 percent, the DCF constant growth estimate is 14.5 percent, and the bond-yield-plus-risk-premium is 14.4 percent. The overall average of these three methods is (14.6% + 14.5% + 14.4%)/3 = 14.5%. These results arc unusually consistent, so it would make little difference which one we used. However, if the methods produced widely varied estimates, then a financial analyst would have to use his or her judgment as to the relative merits of each estimate and then choose the estimate that seemed most reasonable under the circumstances.

A 2000 research paper that reported the results of two surveys found that the CAPM approach is by far the most widely used method. Although most firms use more than one method, almost 74 percent of respondents in one survey, and 85 percent in the other, used the CAPM,' This is in sharp contrast to a 1982 survey, which found that only 30 percent of respondents used the CAPM. Approximately 16 percent now use the DCF approach, down from 31 percent in 1982. The bond-yield-plus-risk-premium is used primarily by companies that are not publicly traded.

People experienced in estimating equity capital costs recognize that both careful analysis and sound judgment are required. It would be nice to pretend that judgment is unnecessary and to specify an easy, precise way of determining the exact cost of equity capital. Unfortunately, this is not possible—finance is in large part a matter of judgment, and we simply must face that fact.

Composite, or Weighted Average, Cost of Capital, WACC

As we shall see in Chapters 16 and 17, each firm has an optimal capital structure, defined as that mix of debt, preferred, and common equity that causes its stock price to be maximized. Therefore, a value-maximizing firm will establish a target (optimal) capital structure and then raise new capital in a manner that will keep the actual capital structure on target over time. In this chapter, we assume that the firm has identified its optimal capital structure, that it uses this optimum as the target, and that it finances so as to remain constantly on target. How the target is established will he examined in Chapters 16 and 17.

The target proportions of debt, preferred stock, and common equity, along with the component costs of capital, are used to calculate the firm's-WACC. To illustrate, suppose NCC has a target capital structure calling for 30 percent debt, 10 percent preferred stock, and 60 percent common equity. Its before-tax cost of debt, kd, is 11 percent; its after-tax cost of debt is kd(l - T) = 11%(0.6) - 6.6%; its cost of preferred stock, kps, is 10.3 percent; its cost of common equity, It,, is 14.5 percent; its marginal tax rate is 40 percent; and all of its new equity will come from retained earnings. We can calculate NCC's weighted average cost of capital, WACC, as follows:

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WACC = wdkd(1 - T) + wpskps + wceks

- 0.3(11.0%)(0.6) + 0.1(10.3%) + u.o(14.5%)

- 11.7%.

Here w(], wps, and wce are the weights used for debt, preferred, and common equity, respectively.

Every dollar of new capital that NCC obtains will on average consist of 30 cents of debt with an after-tax cost of 6.6 percent, 10 cents of preferred stock with a cost of 10.3 percent, and 60 cents of common equity with a cost of 14.5 percent. The average cost of each whole dollar, the WACC, is 11.7 percent.

Two points should be noted. First, the WACC is the weighted average cost of each new, or marginal, dollar of capital—it is not the average cost of all dollars raised in the past. We are primarily interested in obtaining a cost of capital for use in capital budgeting, and for this purpose the cost of the new money that will be invested is the relevant cost. On average, each of these new dollars will consist of some debt, some preferred, and some common equity.

Second, the percentages of each capital component, called weights, could be based on (1) accounting values as shown on the balance sheet (book values), (2) current market values of the capital components, or (3) management's target capital structure, which is presumably an estimate of the firm's optimal capital structure. The correct weights are those based on the firm's target capital structure, since this is the best estimate of how the firm will, on average, raise money in the future.

Valuation of firm(s) as a going concern is the base for any merger and acquisition exercise. The determination of the right value of a business firm is crucial for the sustainable long-term success of the acquisition.

There are various approaches and methodologies for valuation of a firm. Some of the common approaches to valuation are the discounted cash flow approach, the comparable firms approach and the adjusted book value approach. The discounted cash flow approach to valuation relates the value of the firm to the present value of the expected future cash flows of the firm. The comparable firms approach estimates the value of a firm in relation to the value of other similar firms based on various parameters like earnings, sales, book value, cash flows, etc. The adjusted book value approach to valuation involves estimation of the market value of the assets and liabilities of the firm as a going concern. Historically the comparable firms method and the adjusted book value method have been the more commonly used approaches to valuation of firms. However, in the recent years, there is a marked shift towards the application of the discounted cash flow method. The reasons for its increasing popularity and acceptance is its conceptual soundness and its strong endorsement by leading investment bankers and consultancy firms.

Value and Pricing

A postulate for sound investing is that an investor does not pay more for an asset than its worth. This statement may seem logical and obvious, but it is forgotten and rediscovered at sometime in every generation and every market. There are those who are disingenuous to argue that the value lies in the eyes of the beholder and that any price can be justified, if there are other investors willing to pay that price. This is patently absurd. Perceptions may be all that matters when the asset is a painting or a sculpture, but investors do not (and should not) buy assets or firms for aesthetic or emotional reasons. They buy them for the cash flows they expect to receive. Consequently, the perceptions of value have to be backed up by reality, which implies that the price paid for any asset should reflect the cash flow it is expected to generate. There are many areas in valuation on which there is room to disagree, including the actual estimates of the true value and the time taken for the prices to adjust to their true value. However, there is one point on which there can be no disagreement: pricing cannot be justified by merely using the argument mat there will be other buyers around willing to pay a higher price in the future. That is equivalent to playing a very expensive game of musical chairs in which, before playing, every investor has to answer the question "Where will I be when the music stops?"

Source: Damodaran on Valuation: Security Analysis for Investment and Corporate Finance by Aswath Damodaran

DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW APPROACH

The discounted cash flow model relates the value of the firm to the present value of its expected future cash flows. The nature of the cash flows will depend upon the asset: dividends for an equity share, coupons and redemption value for bonds and the post-tax cash flows for a project. This approach is based on the time value concept where the value of any asset is the present value of its expected future cash flows.

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The first step in the Discounted Cash Flow approach entails estimating the Free Cash Flow for the explicit forecast period. The free cash flow represents the cash flow available to all the suppliers of capital to the firm. These include the equity holders, the preference investors and the providers of debt to the firm. The free cash flow is used for the following purposes;

• Interest payments (post-tax basis);• Equity and preference dividend;• Repayment of loans ana redemption/amortization of bonds;• Redemption/amortization of preference shares;• Buy-back of equity shares.

The free cash flow of a firm is the sum of its free cash flow from operations and its non-operating cash flows. The free cash flow from operations is the difference between the gross cash flow of the firm and its gross investments.

The Gross Cash Flow of the firm can be computed as follows:

Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT)

Less: Taxes on EBIT

= Net Operating Profit Less Adjusted Taxes (NOPLAT**)

Add: Depreciation Add: Non-Cash Charges Gross Cash Flow

** NOPLAT can also be computed as

EBIT (1 - t) where t is the tax rate of the firm.

The Gross Investment can be computed as follows: Increase in Net Working Capital Add: Capital Expenditure incurred Add: Increase in Other Assets Gross Investments

Non-Operating Cash Flows represent the post-tax cash flows from items other than the regular operations of the firm. For e.g. profit realized on sale of fixed assets.

The explicit forecast period of the firm also needs to be determined. One of the premises of this theory is that the firm is a going concern. The implication of this assumption is that cash flows in perpetuity need be discounted to value the firm. This is, however, impossible in practice. Hence the cash flows are explicitly computed for a finite period of time and the continuing value of the firm at the end of such period is computed. This finite period (say 7 years) for which the free cash flows are computed is called as the explicit forecast period. Normally the explicit forecast period is coterminous with the period during which the company enjoys competitive advantage. The firm is expected to stabilize and reach a steady state at the end of the explicit forecast period. This implies that the ROCE, reinvestment rate and the growth rate remain constant in perpetuity after the explicit forecast period,

It is also important to obtain a historical perspective before forecasting the expected free cash flow of the firm. The principal drivers which affect the free cash flow are the Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and the Reinvestment Rate. The historical analysis involves careful perusal of past financial statements, analysis of the historical ROCE and reinvestement rates and assessing the sustainability of these rates over the explicit forecast period.

The second step in the DCF model involves computation of the cost of capital to the firm. The cost of capital is the rate to be used for discounting the free cash flows to their present values.

The cost of capital is to be computed as the weighted average of the costs of all sources of capital. The weights assigned are based on the market value or each or the components of the capital. Weightages based on market value is considered to be superior to assigning weights based on book value. This is because book values represent the financial legacy rather than a current perspective. On the other hand, weightages based on market value are taken to represent the economic claims of the various providers of capital. Secondly the cost of capital is to be computed on post- tax terms. This is to ensure consistency in the approach, as the free cash flow is computed on post-tax basis.

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The cost of capital is to be computed as follows:

ko = kev + kpv + M1-') v

where,

kQ is the weightage average cost of capital

ke is the cost of equity capital

k_ is the cost of preference capital

kd is the cost of debt

S is the market value of equity capital

P is the market value of preference capital

B is the market value of debt

V is the sum of the market values of the equity capital, preference capital and the debt i.e. S + P + B

t is the tax rate applicable to the firm.

It is to be noted that non-interest bearing debt like sundry creditors and bills payable are to be excluded in the above computation. This is because the cost of extending credit would have been factored in by the seller in pricing of the goods/services. Hence the impact of the same would have been reflected in the free cash flows which would have been understated to that extent.

The third step in the DCF model involves computing the continuing value of the firm. Continuing value is also referred to as the horizon value. The continuing value represents the value of the free cash flows beyond the explicit forecast period. In many cases, the continuing value may be dominant component of the value of the firm. Hence the valuer should be circumspect and realistic in computing the continuing value.

There are a number of methods to compute the continuing value. The most common method is the Free Cash Flow method. The premise of this method is that the free cash flow will grow at a constant rate after the explicit forecast period. The continuing value of the firm may be computed as follows:

where,

CV is the continuing value of the firm at the end of the year n

FCFn+1 is the expected free cash flow for the year n + 1

k is the weighted average cost of capital of the firm

g is the expected perpetual growth rate of the free cash flow.

In addition to the above method, there are a number of non-cash flow based methods. The non-cash flow based methods are the Book Value Method, Price Earnings Multiple (P/E) Method and the Replacement Cost Method.

The Book Value Method values the firm at its book value at the end of the explicit forecast period. Some valuers use a variation of this method and values the firm as a multiple of its book value. The main drawback of this method is that it does not take into account the increase in the book value due to inflation. Another drawback is that the book values are influenced by the accounting policies.

The Price Earnings Multiple Method involves valuing the firm based on its earnings of the first year after the explicit forecast period. The earnings are multiplied by an appropriate multiple (P/E ratio) to determine the continuing value. The advantage of this method is its familiarity as it is extensively used to value equity. The main drawback is that this method uses earnings, which is vulnerable to distortion, due to the high degree of

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subjectivity involved in its computation. Secondly, the valuation process becomes inconsistent due to use of cash flows in valuing the firm in the explicit forecast period and the use of earnings thereafter.

The replacement cost method determines the continuing value based on the replacement cost of its assets. The main drawback of this method is that only certain assets can be replaced. Some non-tangible factors like relationships with customers (e.g. Goldman Sachs relationship with their clients), reputation of the firm for its ethical practices (e.g. Infosys Technology), employee loyalty, etc. cannot be replaced. However, some of these aspects are the principal factors responsible for the success of a firm. Ignoring these factors as non-replaceable grossly understates the value of the firm. Secondly, in some instances, it may be simply uneconomical to replace some of its assets. In such an eventuality, the replacement cost exceeds the value of the firm as a going concern.

The last step in the DCF model involves determination of the value of the firm. The free cash flow projections and the continuing value of the firm should be discounted by the cost of capital to arrive at the present value of the cash flows. The value of non-operating assets like investments should be added to it. The market value of all claims (bonds issued, loans, etc.) on the firm should be deducted to arrive at the ownership value of the firm.

Valuation: A Science or An Art

Valuing a company is neither an art nor a science but an odd combination of both. There is enough science that appraisers are not left to rely solely on experience but there is enough art that without experience and judgments, failure is assured.

Illustration 7.1

Swagat Enterprises is engaged in the construction business. Its current financials are as follows:

Rs. (in crore) Sales 100Operating expenses 40

EBDIT 60Depreciation 10

EBIT 50Tax (@ 40%) 20

The current level of its net fixed assets is Rs.80 crore. The corresponding level of net current assets stands at

Rs.l0 crore.

The sales of the firm are expected to grow at the rate of 10% per year for the next 5 years. During the same

period, the operating expenses are expected to increase at the rate of 8% per annum. Depreciation is to be

charged @ 10% of the net fixed assets at the beginning of the year. To finance this expansion, Swagat

Enterprises will be making the following investments:

Year Investment in fixed assets (Rs. crore)

1 202 0

3 10

4 15

5 0

Throughout the five-year period, the net current assets will remain at 10% of the net fixed assets.

All the investments will be made at the beginning of the respective years.

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The tax rate will continue to be at 40%. The post-tax non-operating cash flows will be as follows:

Year — Non-operating cash flows

(Rs. crore)

1 103 54 20

The post-tax cost of debt is 8% for the firm. The cost of equity is 15%.The market value of debt is Rs.40 crore, and the market value of equity is Rs.ll0 crore.From the sixth year onwards, the free cash flow is expected to grow @ 10% per annum.Calculate the value of Swagat Enterprises.

Solution

Step 1

Calculating the Gross Cash Flow for the explicit forecast period

Year 1 2 3 4 5

Sales 110 121 133 146 161Operating Expenses

43 47 50 54 59

EBDIT 67 74 83 92 102depreciation** 10 9 9 10 9

EBIT 57 65 74 82 94Taxes 23 26 29 33 37NOPLAT 34 39 44 49 56Gross Cash Row 44 48 53 59 65

** Depreciation is calculated as follows:

Year 1 2 3 4 5

Net fixed assets at the end of previous year

80 90 81 82 87

Additions at the beginning of the year

20 0 10 15 0

Total 100 90 91 97 87

Depreciation for the year 10 9 9 10 9

Net fixed assets at the end of the year

90 81 82 87 78

Step 2

Calculating the gross investment

a. Investment in Net Current Assetsb.

Year 1 2 3 4 5Total Net Current Assets 10 9 9 10 9Net current assets at the 10 10 9 9 10end of previous year

Investment in net current 0 -1 0 1 —1assets Investment 20 0 10 15 0

Gross investment 20 —1 10 16 -1

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Step 3

Calculating the Free Cash Flow

Year 1 2 3 4 5 Gross cash flow 44 48 53 59 65 Gross investment 20 -1 10 16 -1 Free cash flow from 24 49 43 43 66 operations Non-operating cash flow 10 0 5 20 0 Free cash flow 34 49 48 63 66

Step 4

Ascertaining the cost of capital Cost of capital = (0.08 x 40/150) + (0.15 x 110/150) 13.13%

Step 5

Determine the present value of the free cash flow

Year Free cash flow

PV factor Present value

1 34 0.8839 30.122 49 0.7813 38.453 48 0.6906 33.264 63 0.6104 38.755 66 0.5396 35.52

Total 176.10

Step 6

Calculating the discounted continuing value

Value of the firm =

Discounted free cash flows+Discounted continuing value

= 176.10 + 2319 = Rs.2,495 cr

Market value of debt = Rs.40 cr

Value of equity = Rs.(2495 - 40) cr

= Rs.2455 cr.

Limitations of DCF Approach

The DCF approach is the ideal model to be used when a firm has positive future cash flows, the expected cash flows can be reliably estimated and there exists a proxy for risk which is required in computation of discount rates. However, in a real life situation, the valuer faces some practical challenges. The limitations of the DCF approach become apparent in the following cases.

1. Asset Rich Firms: DCF valuation reflects the value of all the assets which produce cash flows. The firm may have some assets which do not produce any cash flows. For e.g. surplus land, unutilized floor space in factory buildings, staff quarters, etc. The value of such assets will not be reflected in the DCF valuation. The same limitation also applies, to a lesser extent, to underutilized assets, as their values will be understated in

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the DCF model.

2. Firms in Distress: Firms in financial distress may have negative current and future cash flows. The present value of such firms will be a negative figure under the DCF method. Further such firms have a high probability of going into bankruptcy.

This violates the basic premise of the DCF approach which views a firm as a going concern.

3. Mergers/Takeovers: A key driver in several merger/takeover transactions is the expected synergy between the two firms. The challenge involved in such a valuation exercise is understanding the nature and form of the synergy and estimating its value in financial terms to compute its impact on the expected cash flows. The second challenge involves estimating the effect of the resultant change in management (due to the merger or the takeover) on the discount rates due to the change in the risk profile of the firm. This limitation is more pronounced when the transaction involves a hostile takeover.

4. Cyclical Firms: The cash flows of cyclical firms tend to shadow the performance of the economy. The earnings and cash flows are high during the boom periods and are low during recessionary periods. The valuations can be misleading if the explicit forecast period does not cover the entire economic cycle. However this is an onerous task and the resulting valuation can be highly subjective depending on the valuer's assumptions about the timing and the duration of the phases of the economic cycle.

5. Firms with Product Options: Firms often have unutilized product options which do not generate any current cash flows. For e.g. for companies involved in oil exploration, winning the right to drill oil and gas in a particular region represents a product option. Similarly firms may also have unutilized intellectual property rights like patents and copyrights. If DCF model is applied for such valuations, the firm will be grossly undervalued. Some practitioners have overcome this limitation either by obtaining the market value of such options or by applying the option pricing model for its valuation. The resultant value of the option is added to the value obtained from DCF valuation to arrive at the true value of the firm.

COMPARABLE FIRMS APPROACH

This approach is also called as the relative approach. In this approach, the value of any firm is derived from the value of comparable firms, based on a set of common variables like earnings, sales, cash flows, book value, etc. The most common manifestation of the comparable approach is in the use of the industry average Price-Earnings multiple (P/E ratio) for valuation of equity. Another commonly used tool for valuing equity is the Price-Book Value multiple (P/BV ratio).

The comparable firms model is essentially a top-down approach. The valuation process applying this approach is a four staged exercise.

Analysis of the Firm

The valuer is required to make an indepth analysis of the firm to get rich insights into the financial and operational aspects.

The profitability of the firm may be analyzed by looking at the operating profit margins and the net profit margins. Further analysis may be made by analyzing the return on capital employed and return on net worth. The liquidity position may be analyzed from the current ratio and quick ratio. The interest coverage and the debt service coverage would provide pointers to the solvency position. The efficiency of the operations can be captured from ratios like inventory turnover, fixed assets turnover, debtors turnover, etc. The cash flows of the firm need to be carefully studied and a sensitivity analysis may be conducted. The capital structure of the firm also needs to be analyzed.

The qualitative analysis includes assessing the position of the firm in the industry, market share, competitive advantage (if any) etc. For e.g. Reliance Industries plays a dominant role in the petrochemical industry in India and commands a valuation multiple than IPCL. The managerial evaluation is also important as the competence and integrity of the management have a greater bearing on the valuation. For e.g. one of the factors due to which Infosys Technologies commands high valuation is the market perception of its exemplary corporate governance. The ownership pattern plays its part as historically MNC firms have been given higher valuation vis-a-vis domestic firms as they are considered to be better managed.

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Identification of Comparable Firms

The next stage involves identification of comparable firms. This process begins with a thorough analysis of the industry in which the firm operates. The valuer is to carefully assess the general profile of the industry, competitive structure, demand-supply position, installed capacities, pricing system, availability of inputs, government policies and regulatory framework, long-term trends, etc. The next step involves identification of firms with comparable profile. The parameters used for identification of such firms include product profile, scale of operations, markets served, cost structures, geographical location, technology, etc.

In practice, it is virtually impossible to find truly similar firms, which can match the subject firm on all or even most of the parameters. The identification process generally involves delineating a list of firms which bear some resemblance to the firm being valued. Once a universe of potentially comparable firms is identified, each of the firms is analyzed based on the predetermined parameters. From the universe identified as above three to five specific firms which bear similarity, as close as possible, to the firm being valued, are selected.

Solution

The valuation multiples of the comparable firms are as follows:

Particulars Alpha Beta Gamma Avg.Price/Sales Ratio 1.50 1,25 1.60 1.45Price/Earnings Ratio 10.00 8.33 9.60 9.31

Price/Book Value Ratio 3.00 1.66 2.40 2.35

Applying the above multiples, the value of Sigma is as follows:

Particulars Multiple Parameter (Rs. in cr.)

Value(Rs. in cr.)

Price/Sales 1.45 100 145.00Price/Earnings 9,31 15 139.65Price/Book Value

2.35 60 141.00

The weightages to P/S ratio, P/E ratio and the P/BV ratio are 1, 2 and 1 respectively. Thus the weighted average value will be

= Rs.141.32 cr.

The value of Sigma Ltd., using the comparable firms approach, is Rs.141.32 cr.

ADJUSTED BOOK VALUE APPROACH

The adjusted book value approach to valuation involves estimation of the market value of the assets and liabilities of the firm as a going concern. It is a pointer to the liquidation value of the firm. It is, however, distinct from the conventional book value method. The conventional approach relies on the historical book value of the assets and liabilities as against the valuation of the assets and liabilities at their fair market value in this method.

Valuation of Tangible Assets

The approach begins with valuation of all the assets of the firm. Fixed assets constitute substantial portion of the asset side of the balance sheet in capital intensive companies. Land is valued at its current market price. Buildings are normally valued at replacement cost. However appropriate allowances are to be made for depreciation and deterioration in its conditions. Similarly plant & machinery, capital equipments, furniture, fixtures, etc. are to be valued at fixed costs net of depreciation and allowances for deterioration in conditions. An alternative method of valuing plant & machinery involves estimation of the prevailing market price of similar used (second-hand) machinery and adding the cost of transportation and erection. The other major block on the asset side of the balance sheet is current assets. The principal components of current assets are inventory, debtors and cash. The inventory is valued depending upon its nature; the raw materials are to be valued at the rates of the latest orders; the finished goods at the current realizable sale value after deducting provisions for packing, transportation, selling costs, etc. The work-in-process can be valued either based on the cost i.e. cost

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of materials plus processing costs incurred or based on the sales price i.e. sale price of the finished product less cost incurred to convert the work-in-process into sales. Debtors are generally valued at their book value. However, allowances should be made for any doubtful debts. Valuation of cash (including balances with bank) does not need any great expertise. Miscellaneous current assets like income accrued but not due, prepaid expenses, deposits made etc. are to be taken at their book value. Non-operating assets like investments, surplus land, staff quarters, etc. are generally valued at their fair market value.

Valuation of Intangible Assets

The valuation of intangible assets like brands, goodwill, patents, trademarks & copyrights, distribution channel, etc. is a controversial area of valuation. Several major companies (consumer goods in particular) believe that brands are its most valuable assets. The idea of intangibles as financial assets emerged in the mid-eighties. As intangibles have significant financial value, their absence from the valuation distorts the true financial position of a company. Hence in order to ensure that the valuation of a company is reflective of its true intrinsic worth it has become necessary for companies to determine the values of their brands.

In the late eighties, the Australian group. Goodman Fielder Wattie (GFW) mounted a hostile bid on a British company Ranks Hovis McDougall (RHM). RHM issued a defense document that mentioned that GFW bid significantly undervalued RHM's true worth, since it did not take into account the company's strong brands. It said "These valuable assets are not included in the balance sheet, but they have helped RHM build profits in the past and provide a sound base for future growth". RHM engaged the services of a professional consultancy firm to do a brand valuation. Viewing brands as assets, the consultants valued the business at 900 million Pounds, significantly higher than GFW bid of 600 million Pounds. Once they published that information, it was clear that GFW's bid undervalued the business and the bid finally drifted away.

However, there is a large element of subjectivity in the process of valuation of intangibles. The two popular methods of valuing intangibles are given below.

Earnings Valuation Method: This method of valuation is widely accepted in most markets around the world. The value of an intangible like any other asset is equal to the present value of the future earnings attributable to it. This is a two-staged process involving

• determining the future earnings attributable to the intangible asset;• applying an appropriate multiplier to determine its present value.

The main drawback of this approach is that the future projections of the earnings may be optimistic. Further the process of determining the multiplier is highly subjective. Due care has to be taken for the above factors, failing which the intangible asset may be overvalued. Unscrupulous companies may possibly overvalue the intangibles and use brand values as a tool for window dressing.

Cost Method: This method involves stating the value of the intangible asset at its cost to the company. This is relatively easy when the intangible asset is acquired. The money paid to buy the brands can be directly stated. (For e.g. Coca Cola paid Rs.170 cr to acquire the soft drinks brands of Parle). It is more difficult to value the brand when the intangible asset has been developed in-house by the company. The methodology involves determining the cost incurred in developing the intangible asset. The process of identification of the the costs incurred is characterized by a great degree of subjectivity. This may have a significant impact on the final valuation.

Valuation of Liabilities

The valuation of liabilities is relatively simple. It must be noted that share capital, reserves and surpluses are not included in the valuation. Only liabilities owed to outsiders are to be considered. All long-term debt like loans, bonds, etc. are to be valued at their present value using the standard bond valuation model. This involves computing the present value of the debt servicing (both principal and interest payments) by applying an appropriate discount rate. Current liabilities include amount due to creditors, short-term borrowings, provision for taxes, accrued expenses, advance payment received, etc. Normally such current liabilities and provisions are taken at their book value.

Valuation of the Firm162

The ownership value of a firm is the difference between the value of the assets (both tangible and intangible) and the value of the liabilities. Normally no premium is added for control as assets and liabilities are taken at their economic values. On the other hand, a discount may be necessary to factor in the marketability element. The market for some of the assets may be illiquid or may fetch a slightly lesser price if the buyer does not perceive as much value of the asset to his business. Hence a discount factor may be applied.

CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS IN VALUATION THEORIES

A significant portion of the current research in the area of valuations is devoted to the application of option theory to value firms. This is leading to the emergence of a new model to value firms or businesses called as the contingent claims model. A contingent claim (option) is an asset that pays off under certain contingencies; if the value of the underlying variable exceeds a predetermined amount, then for a call option has a value and if it is less than the predetermined value the put option has a value.

The contingent claims model is based on the premise that equity can be viewed as call option on the firm. The equity in a firm is a residual claim; the equity holders can lay their claims to the cash flows (in the form of dividends) of the firm only after all the claims of other stakeholders (creditors', debt providers, preference shareholders, etc.) have been satisfied. Similarly, if the firm is liquidated, the equity holders receive the entire balance portion after all the financial claims on the firm have been paid off. The principle of limited liability provides immunity to the equity holders if the value of the firm is less than the outstanding financial claims. In other words, the maximum loss to the equity holders cannot exceed the amount of their investment. Thus the pay-off to the equity holders in the event of liquidation is

V - C if V > C

or zero if V < C

where,

V is the value of the firm

C represents all the claims on the firm.

Thus an analogy can be drawn between equity and options wherein the equity shares are treated as call options on the value of the underlying firm, the value of the claims can be taken as the exercise price (strike price), the maturity of the claims measuring the life of the option and the original investment representing the option premium. The principle of limited liability eliminates the downside risk for the equity holders. The contingent claims model values the firm by valuing its equity using the option-pricing models.

While the contingent claim model stands the test of conceptual soundness, the practical application of this model in the real world has not been very significant. Some of the issues which need to be further addressed before this model gets acceptability in the corporate world are as follows:

• One of the basic assumption of the Black-Scholes Model is that the variance in the price of the underlying asset is known and remains constant over the life of the option. In case of the contingent claim model where the underlying variable is the value of the firm, it is impractical to determine the variance in the first place. Secondly, even if such variance were to be measured, it is unlikely that it will remain constant over extended periods.

• Option pricing theory, as in both the Binomial Model and the Black-Scholes Model, is built on the premise that a replicating portfolio can be created using the underlying asset and riskless borrowing and lending. This is a reasonably defensible assumption when the underlying variable is a security, commodity or a currency. However, the business (not the equity share) which is being valued is not traded in the market and the probability of building a replicating portfolio appears remote. Hence no possibility of arbitrage exists, which is the basis of the option pricing models.

• The Black-Scholes Model is built on the assumption that the underlying asset's price process is continuous. The validity of this assumption to the value of the firm is doubtful. Experts opine that a possible solution is to use an option pricing model that explicitly allows for price jumps (discrete instead of continuous price process). However, the inputs required for such models are again difficult to determine. Jump process models are based on poisson distribution and require inputs on the probability of the price jumps, the average magnitude and the variance.

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VALUATION: SOME MISCONCEPTIONS

1. Valuation Models give an exact estimate of value: The appropriateness of the valuation depends upon the quality of the data, correctness of the assumptions and the application of the right valuation model. Most of the data pertaining to projected cash flows is futuristic and is thus characterized by uncertainty. This makes valuation an inexact and imprecise exercise. The valuation process gives us at best a value anchor. A value range may be determined based on the margin of error which in turn is a function of the degree of uncertainty of the cash flows.

2. Valuation is a totally objective exercise: The models used in valuation may be quantitative but the inputs leave plenty of room for subjective judgements. The opinions and the biases of the valuer"get reflected in the valuation. _The_ estimation of the_future cash flows depend -upon the aggressiveness or the conservatism of the assumptions made. Further there is also a certain degree of subjectivity in determination of discounting rates. It is generally observed that in case of takeovers the value of the target firm as estimated by their investment bankers is higher than the valuation estimates by the investment bankers of the predator company.

3. A well-done valuation is a timeless treasure:

Any valuation exercise is time specific and is reflective of the information available to the valuer at that specific point of time. As time passes by, the flow of new information begins. The information may be firm specific, industry specific or pertain to the market as a whole. Thus the valuation done in the past becomes increasingly obsolete and the same needs to be updated to reflect the current information.

4. The value estimated is important; the process does not matter: The valuation exercise depends on the robustness of the valuation process. Hence the focus should not be exclusively on the outcome in the form of a definitive value figure. The valuation process is informative and provides valuable insights about the firm. The process reveals a great deal about the determinants of value and the user should make an effort to understand the valuation process.

5. The market is always wrong: The benchmark for comparison of a valuation exercise is the market valuation of the firm. When the value estimated is significantly different from the market valuation, there can be two conclusions: the valuer is right and the market has substantially undervalued/ overvalued the firm or that the market is right and the valuation is incorrect. It is observed that very often, the instantaneous conclusion drawn is that the market is wrong. In such cases it is prudent to give the benefit of doubt to the market as the collective wisdom of the market as a whole is generally superior to the judgement of the valuer. However, if the valuer is able to convincingly prove the wisdom of his valuation, only then the same may be accepted and not otherwise.

DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY

All other things being constant, an ideal strategy is to move into a diversification program from a base or core of existing capabilities or organizational strengths. The firm should be clear on both its strengths and weaknesses and should clearly define the specific new capabilities it is seeking to obtain. If the firm does not possess a sufficient breadth of capability to use as a basis for moving into other areas, an alternative strategy may be employed.

In recent years, the nature of the firms and the boundaries of industries have become much more dynamic and flexible. This has to be kept in mind even before the carryover of capabilities in pure conglomerate mergers. In this dynamic changing world managements must relate to missions, defined in terms of customer needs, wants, or problems to be solved. Another important dimension of the concept of industries is a range of capabilities. The technological capabilities include all processes from the basic research, product design and development to interrelated manufacturing methods and obtaining feedback from consumers. Managerial capabilities include competence in the generic management functions of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling as well as specific management functions of research, marketing, finance and personnel.

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Characteristics of a Successful Diversification Strategy

Some of the characteristics of a successful diversification strategy are:

PLATFORM OF EXISTING CAPABILITIES

Any diversification strategy should be built on the foundation of existing competencies. This facilitates entry into new markets. A company can have multiple capabilities, but a capability qualifies as a core competence if it fulfills the following criteria:

• It should be applicable across all the product categories.• It should not be open to duplication by competitors.• It should result in significant value addition to the consumer.

CHOICE OF NEW MARKETS

The markets earmarked for expansion should be growth markets with low gestation periods. A small company cannot afford to operate in markets where the 'gestation period is high. The telecom sector, for instance, was opened up in the year 1994. The private operators in most circles are yet to make profits. On the other hand, the software boom saw many companies diversify into the Info Tech arena with substantial rewards. The new markets should also offer room for companies to operate in a niche.

NEW CAPABILITIES

Though the strategy is based on existing capabilities, companies should acquire new ones to augment the existing strengths. They could make an effort to acquire new technologies, distribution channels or adding marketing muscle.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP

Implementation of the strategy will require strong and aggressive management. The owner/manager may have to take swift, decisive measures during the diversification effort, These could be decisions related to investment or downsizing. These decisions may be risky and face resistance from employees. Strong and visionary leadership is required to ensure successful implementation.

EMPLOYEE SKILLS AND PRODUCTIVITY

A skilled and autonomous workforce is a must for the diversification strategy to succeed. Employees are more productive if given autonomy.

LEAN AND TENACIOUS

Companies that can maintain a lean management structure can avoid high overhead margins. The success of the diversification ultimately hinges upon the tenacity of the personnel to see it through.

Diversifying to new markets can be a risky proposition. The risk can be minimized if companies can identify their strengths and evaluate market opportunities accordingly. The key for small companies is to identify markets where their capabilities can be profitably leveraged to create customer value.

The changing environments and the new forms of competition have created new opportunities and threats for business firms. Firms must adjust to new forces of competition from all directions. They have been forced to adopt many forms of restructuring activity. M&As will be considered first, but it should be understood that they represent only one set of the many adjustment and restructuring responses.

INTERNAL Vs. EXTERNAL GROWTH

Internal growth and mergers are not mutually exclusive activities. They are mutually supportive and reinforcing. Successful growing firms use many forms of M&As and restructuring based on opportunities and limitations. The characteristics and competitive structure of an industry will influence the strategies employed.

Growth and diversification can be achieved both internally and externally. Internal development is more advantageous for some activities and for some other external diversification is more beneficial.

The factors which support the external growth and diversification through mergers and acquisitions include the

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following:

Faster achievement of goals and objectives through an external acquisition. Greater cost of building an organization internally, than the cost of an acquisition.

Attainment of feasible market share with less risk, in shorter time and at lower cost.

Inefficiently managed target. Tax advantages. Complementary capabilities.

Internal development is favored when the above given advantages are minimal. When the firms which are available for acquisition do not provide attractive opportunities for achieving the goals that have been set, internal development is more feasible from an economic perspective.

Box 1: Diversification and Growth Through Acquisitions

GE Capital is the product of dozens of acquisitions that have been blended to form one of the world's largest financial services organizations. GE Capital was founded in 1933 as a subsidiary of the General Electric Company to provide consumers with credit to purchase GE appliances. Since then, the company has grown to become a major financial services conglomerate with 27 separate businesses and more than 50,000 employees worldwide. These businesses include private label credit card services to commercial real estate financing to rail car and aircraft leasing. More than half of these businesses have become part of GE Capital through acquisitions.

The acquisitions come in different forms and shapes. Sometimes, the acquisition is a portfolio or asset purchase that adds volume to a particular business without adding people. Sometimes, it is consolidating acquisition in which a company is purchased and then consolidated into an existing GE Capital business like it happened when GE Capital Vendor Financial Services bought Chase Manhattan Bank's leasing business. Sometimes the acquisition moves into a new territory, generate an entirely new GE Capital business, as when GE Capital bought Travelers Corporation's business. Sometimes the acquisition is a hybrid, parts of which fit into one or more existing businesses while the other parts stand alone or become joint ventures.

DIVERSIFICATION PLANNING, MERGERS AND THE CARRY OVER OF MANAGERIAL CAPABILITIES

Growth through mergers and diversification represents a very good alternative to be taken into account in business planning. The external growth contributes to opportunities for effective alignment to the firm's changing environments. The primary reason for acquiring or merging with another business is to produce improved cash flow or to reduce the risk faster or at a lower cost than achieving the same goal internally. Thus, the goal of any acquisition is to create a strategic advantage by paying a price for the target that is lower than the total resources required for internal development of a similar strategic position.

Another reason is the expectation on the part of the diversifying or acquiring firm that it has or will have excess capacity of general managerial capabilities in relation to its existing product market activities. Moreover, there is an expectation that in the process of interacting with the generic management activities, the diversifying firms will develop industry specific managerial experience and firm specific organization capital overtime.

Four factors have contributed to the increased diversification by business firms:

Advances in Managerial Technology

Important changes in the management technology include issues like development in theory and practice of planning, increased role of management functions in the firm's operations, the development and use of formalized decision models, increased recognition of quality and continuity of the firm's management organization as an important economic variable etc. These factors have made it beneficial to spread these abilities over a greater number of activities. Conversely, these management capabilities are not evenly distributed throughout industries giving an opportunity for firms to extend their capabilities to other firms and to new areas in order to increase the returns on investments in both management and physical assets.

Increased Technological Change

The opportunities for diversification have increased along with the demands to change. The expertise of technology is spread unequally among various business firms and industries. The prospects of economic profits from the supply of advanced technological capabilities to industries and firms which need them provide an increased incentive to diversify.Large Fixed Costs and Staff Services

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Fixed cost of business firms have increased due to the need to maintain an affective competitive position in the

world economy and the resultant larger management capabilities. Investments in managerial organizations

have always resulted in economies of scale rather than investment in physical assets. Hence, the economies

derived from spreading the fixed costs for managerial staff functions over a wide range of activities have

increased.

Development of Equity Markets

The trends in the equity markets have strengthened the influence of the above mentioned factors in

encouraging diversification by external diversification. In the equity markets stock which had a potential for

growth in earnings and dividends, were highly valued. Hence, growth stocks had higher P/E ratio. This

increased interest in the growth stimulated mergers in various ways. The search for product markets with

growth opportunities intensified.

In a rapidly changing world, companies are facing unprecedented turmoil in global markets. Severe competition,

rapid technological change, and rising stock market volatility have increased the burden on managers to deliver

superior performance and value for their shareholders.

In response to these pressures, an increasing number of companies around the world are dramatically

restructuring their assets, operations, and contractual relationships with shareholders, creditors, and other

financial stakeholders. Corporate restructuring has facilitated thousands of organizations to re-establish their

competitive advantage and respond more quickly and effectively to new opportunities and unexpected

challenges. Corporate restructuring has had an equally profound impact on the many more thousands of

suppliers, customers, and competitors that do business with restructured firms.

Generally, most of the corporate growth occurs by internal expansion, when a firm's existing divisions grow

through normal capital budgeting activities, Neverthless, if the goals are easily achieved within the firm, it may

mean that the goals are too small. Growth opportunities come in a variety of other forms and a great deal of

energy and resources may be wasted if an entrepreneur does not wait long enough to identify the various

dynamics which are already in place. The most remarkable examples of growth and often the largest increases

in stock prices are a result of mergers and acquisitions. M&As offer tremendous opportunities for companies to

grow and add value to shareholders wealth. M&As is a strategy for growth and expansion. M&As are expected

to increase value and efficiency and thereby increase shareholders' value. M&As is a generic term used to

represent different types of corporate restructuring exercises.

FORMS OF CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING

Business firms in their pursuit of growth, engage in a broad range of restructuring activities. Actions taken to

expand or contract a firm's basic operations or fundamentally change its asset or financial structure are referred

to as corporate restructuring activities. Corporate restructuring is a broad umbrella that covers many things.

One of them is the merger or takeover. From the viewpoint of the buyer, M&A represent expansion and from the

perspective of the seller it represents a change in ownership that may or may not be voluntary. In addition to

mergers, takeovers, and contests for corporate control; there are other types of corporate restructuring like

divestitures, rearrangements, and ownership reformulation.

These corporate restructuring activities can be divided into two broad categories -operational and functional.

Operational restructuring refers to outright or partial purchase or sale of companies or product lines or

downsizing by closing unprofitable, and non-strategic facilities. Financial restructuring refers to the actions

taken by the firm to change its total debt and equity structure.

An overview of all these restructuring activities, is shown in a summarized form in Table 1. The grouping is a bit

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random but indicates the direction of the emphasis in these various practices.

Table 1: Forms of Restructuring Business Firms

Expansion

Mergers and Acquisitions Tender offers Asset acquisition Joint ventures Contraction Spin offs Split offs Divestitures Equity carve outs Assets sale

Corporate Control

Anti takeover defenses Share repurchases Exchange offers Proxy contests Changes in Ownership Structures Leveraged buyout Junk bonds Going private ESOPs and MLPs

Each type of activity mentioned in the above Table is briefly explained below:

Expansion

Expansion is a form of restructuring, which results in an increase in the size of the firm. It can take place in the form of a merger, acquisition, tender offer, asset acquisition or a joint venture,

MERGER

Merger is defined as a combination of two or more companies into a single company. A merger can take place either as an amalgamation or absorption.

Amalgamation

This type of merger involves fusion of two or more companies. After the amalgamation, the two companies lose their individual identity and a new company comes into existence. A new firm that is hitherto, not in existence comes into being. This form is generally applied to combinations of firms of equal size.

Example: The merger of Brooke Bond India Ltd with Lipton India Ltd resulted in the formation of a new company Brooke Bond Lipton India Ltd.

Absorption

This type of merger involves fusion of a small company with a large company. After the merger the smaller company ceases to exist.

Example: The recent merger of Oriental Bank of Commerce with Global Trust Bank. After the merger, GTB ceased to exist while the Oriental Bank of Commerce expanded and continued.

TENDER OFFER

Tender offer involves making a public offer for acquiring the shares of the target company with a view to acquire management control in that company.

Example: (1) Flextronics International giving an open market offer at Rs.548 for 20% of paid-up capital in Hughes Software Systems.

(2) AstraZenca Pharmaceuticals AB, a Swedish firm, announced an open offer to acquire 8.4% stake in Astra Zenca Pharma India at a floor price of Rs.825 per share.

ASSET ACQUISITION

Asset acquisitions involve buying the assets of another company. These assets may be tangible assets like a manufacturing unit or intangible assets like brands. In such acquisitions, the acquirer company can limit its acquisitions to those parts of the firm that coincide with the acquirer's needs.

Example: The acquisition of the cement division of Tata Steel by Laffarge of France. Laffarge acquired only the 1.7 million tonne cement plant and its related assets from Tata Steel.

The asset being purchased may also be intangible in nature. For example, Coca-Cola paid Rs. 170 crore to

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Parle to acquire its soft drinks brands like Thums Up, Limca, Gold Spot, etc.

The business world has changed drastically. Markets, instruments, financing and relationships have transformed to become exceedingly complex. The economic environment has shifted dramatically and in order to prosper or even to survive in such an environment, the strategy formulation has become very important. It is no longer possible to take a simple, idealistic view of what should be done and how it should be done.

The pursuit of growth and the need to access new markets are driving companies all over the world to undertake mergers, and acquisitions. This phenomenon is becoming part of the strategic planning of many corporate bodies seeking not only to exploit existing core competencies but also to build new ones for the future. While the motives or influences leading to mergers are multiple, varied and complex, the potential for concentration of economic power is inherent in the phenomenon of mergers.

When two businesses combine their activities, the combination may take the form of acquisition (takeover) or a merger (amalgamation). The distinction between a merger and an acquisition is not very clear. The methods used for mergers are often the same as the methods used to make takeovers. However, theoretically there can be a subtle difference between the two, as can be interpreted from the following definitions:

Acquisition or Takeover: The purchase of a controlling interest by a company in the voting share capita! of another company, usually by buying the majority of the voting shares is called an acquisition or a takeover. Idea Cellular acquiring Escotel is an example of an acquisition.

Merger: A business combination that results in the creation of a new reporting entity formed from the combining parties, in which the shareholders of the combining entities come together in a partnership for the mutual sharing of the risks and the benefits of the combined entity, and in which no party to the combination obtains control over the other. An example of a merger is Daimler-Benz and Chrysler.

The main reason for any business organization to combine is to increase the shareholder wealth. This increase usually comes from the effects of synergy. In this chapter we shall discuss in detail the various types of mergers and the process undergone by firms to accomplish a merger or an acquisition.

TYPES OF MERGERS

Merger or acquisition depends upon the purpose for which the target company is acquired. A company will seek to acquire the other company only when it has arrived at its own developmental plan to expand its operations after a thorough analysis of its own internal strength. It has to aim at a suitable combination where it could have opportunities to supplement its funds; secure additional financial facilities, eliminate competition and strengthen its market position. Based on the reason why firms combine, mergers can be divided into three categories: (i) Horizontal mergers (ii) Vertical mergers, and (iii) Conglomerate mergers.

Horizontal Merger

A horizontal merger involves a merger between two firms operating and competing in the same kind of business activity. The main purpose of such mergers is to obtain economies of scale of production. The economies of scale is obtained by the elimination of duplication of facilities and operations and broadening the product line, reduction in investment in working capital, elimination of competition in a product, reduction in advertising costs, increase in market share, exercise of better control on market, etc.

Horizontal mergers result in decrease in the number of firms in an industry and hence such type of mergers make it easier for the industry members to join together for monopoly profits. Horizontal mergers also have a potential to create monopoly power on the part of the combined firm enabling it to engage in anticompetitive practices. Hence, in many countries, restrictive business practices legislation enforce strict regulations on the integration of competitors. Horizontal mergers of even small enterprises may create conditions triggering concentration of economic power and oligopoly.

The alliance between Birla, AT&T and Tata (BATATA) in Idea Cellular Ltd., is an example of a horizontal merger.

Vertical Mergers

A vertical merger involves merger between firms that are in different stages of production or value chain. They are combination of companies that usually have buyer-seller relationships. A company involved in a vertical merger usually seeks to merge with another company or would like to takeover another company mainly to expand its operations by backward or forward integration. The acquiring company through merger of another

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unit attempts to reduce inventories of raw material and finished goods, implements its production plans as per objectives and economizes on working capital investments. In other words, in vertical combination, the merging company would be either a supplier or a buyer using its product as an intermediary material for final production.

Firms integrate vertically between various stages due to reasons like technological economies, elimination of transaction costs, improved planning for inventory and production, reconciliation of divergent interests of parties to a transaction, etc. Anticompetitive effects have also been observed as both the motivation and the result of these mergers.

Examples: Nirma's bid for Gujarat Heavy Chemical (backward integration) or Hindalco bidding for Pennar Aluminium (forward integration).

Conglomerate Mergers

Conglomerate mergers involve merger between firms engaged in unrelated types of business activity. The basic purpose of such combination is utilization of financial resources. Such type of merger enhances the overall stability of the acquirer company and creates balance in the company's total portfolio of diverse products and production processes and thereby reduces the risk of instability in the firm's cash flows.

Conglomerate mergers can be distinguished into three types: product extension mergers, geographic market extension mergers and pure conglomerate mergers.

Product extension mergers are mergers between firms in related business activities and may also be called concentric mergers. These mergers broaden the product lines of the firms.

Geographic market extension mergers involve a merger between two firms operating in two different geographic areas.

Pure conglomerate mergers involve merger between two firms with unrelated business activities. They do not come under product extension or market extension mergers. Within the broader category of conglomerate mergers two types of conglomerate firms can be distinguished.

Financial Conglomerates: Financial conglomerates provide a flow of funds to each segment of their operations, exercise control and are the final financial risk takers. They undertake strategic planning but do not participate in operating decisions.

Managerial Conglomerates: Managerial conglomerates transmit the attributes of financial conglomerates still further. They not only assume financial responsibility and control, but also play a role in operating decisions and provide staff expertise and staff services to the operating entities. By providing managerial guidance and interactions on decisions, managerial conglomerates increase the potential for improving performance.

THE MERGER AND ACQUISITION PROCESS

The acquisition process can be divided into a planning stage and an implementation stage. The planning stage consists of the development of the business and the acquisition plans. The implementation stage consists of the search, screening, contacting the target, negotiation, integration and the evaluation activities. In short, the process of acquisition can be summarized in the following steps:

i. Develop a strategic plan for the business (Business plan).ii. Develop an acquisition plan related to the strategic plan (Acquisition plan).iii. Search companies for acquisitions (Search).iv. Screen and prioritize potential companies (Screen).v. Initiate contact with the target (First contact).vi. Refine valuation, structure the deal, perform due diligence, and develop financing plan (Negotiation).vii. Develop plan for integrating the acquired business (Integration plan).viii. Obtain all the necessary approvals, resolve post-closing issues and implement closing (Closing).ix. Implement post-closing integration (Integration).x. Conduct the post-closing evaluation of acquisition (Evaluation).

Developing the Business Plan

As discussed earlier, a merger or an acquisition decision is a strategic choice. The acquisition strategy should fit the company's strategic goals of increasing the net cash flows and reduce risk.

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A business plan communicates a mission or vision for the firm and a strategy for achieving that mission. A well-structured business plan consists of the following activities:

i. Determining where to compete i.e., the industry or the market in which the firm desires to compete.ii. Determining how to compete. An external industry or the market analysis can be made to determine how

the firm can most effectively compete in its chosen market(s).iii. Self-assessment of the firm by conducting an internal analysis of the firm's strengths and, weaknesses

relative to the competition.iv. Defining the mission statement by summarizing where and how the firm has chosen to compete and the

basic operating beliefs of the management.v. Setting objectives by developing quantitative measures of performance.vi. Selecting the strategy most likely to achieve the objectives within a reasonable time period subject to

constraints identified in the self-assessment.

The strategic planning process identifies the company's competitive position and sets objectives to exploit its relative strengths while minimizing the effects of its weaknesses. The firm's Mergers and Acquisitions strategy should complement this process, targeting only those industries and companies that improve the acquirer's strengths or lessen the weaknesses,

Building the Acquisition Plan

After a proper analysis of the various available options if it is determined that a merger or an acquisition process is appropriate to implement the business strategy then an acquisition plan is prepared. This plan focuses on the tactical rather than the strategic issues. The acquisition plan defines the key management objectives for the takeover, resource constraints, appropriate tactics for implementing the proposed transactions and the schedule or a time table for completing the acquisition. It furnishes a proper guidance to those responsible for successfully completing the transaction by providing valuable inputs to all the later phases of the acquisition process.

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

Management objectives are both financial and non-financial. The financial objectives include a minimum rate of return or operating profit, revenue and cash flow targets to be achieved within a specified time period. Non-financial objectives address the motivations for making the acquisition that support the achievement of the financial returns predetermined in the business plan.

RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

The assessment of the resources involves the determination of the maximum amount of resources available to assign to the merger or acquisition. This information is useful in the selection of the right candidate for the merger or the acquisition. The resources available generally include the financial resources like the internal cash flows in excess of the normal operating requirements plus funds from equity and the debt markets. If the target is identified, resources should also include funds which the combined firm can raise by issuing equity or by increasing leverage. It is the management's perception about the likely risks that it would be exposed to by virtue of acquisition that determines the financial implications. These risks may be:

Operating Risk

It refers to the ability of the acquirer to manage the acquired company. The risk is higher in conglomerate mergers. The limited understanding of the business operations of the newly acquired firm may negatively impact the integration effort and the ongoing management of the combined companies.

Financial Risk

It refers to the acquirer's willingness and the ability to leverage a transaction as well as the willingness of shareholders to accept near-term earnings per share dilution. The acquiring company tries to maintain certain level of financial ratios such as the debt to equity and interest coverage ratio to retain a specific credit rating. The incremental debt capacity of the firm can be estimated by comparing the relevant financial ratios to those of

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comparable firms in the industry. The difference represents the amount of money that the firm can borrow without making the current credit rating vulnerable.

Overpayment Risk

It refers to the possibility of dilution in the earnings per share or reduction in the growth of the firm because of paying more than the economic value of the acquired firm.

TIME TABLE

A time table or a schedule that recognizes all the key events that should take place in the acquisition process is the final component of a properly structured acquisition plan. It should be both realistic and aggressive to motivate all the participants in the process to work as fast as possible to achieve the management objectives established in the acquisition plan. The schedule should also include the names of the individuals who will be responsible for ensuring that the set objectives are achieved.

The Search Process

After the firm has developed a viable business plan that requires an acquisition to realize the firm's strategic direction and an acquisition plan the search for the right candidate for acquisition begins. The search for a potential acquisition candidate generally takes place in two stages.

The first stage of the search process involves establishing a primary screening process. The primary criteria based on which the search process is based include factors like the industry, size of the transaction and the geographic location. The size of the transaction is best defined in terms of the maximum purchase price a firm is willing to pay. It can be expressed as the maximum purchase price to earnings, book, cash flow or revenue ratio or a maximum purchase price stated in terms of rupees.

The second stage involves developing the search strategy. Such strategies generally involve using computerized database and directory services to identify the prospective candidates. Law, banking and accounting firms also form valuable sources from which information can be obtained. Investment banks, brokers, and leveraged buyout firms are also useful sources although they are likely to require an advisory fee.

The Screening Process

The screening process starts with the reduction of the initial list of potential candidates identified by using the primary criteria such as the size and the type of the industry. In addition to the primary criteria employed, secondary selection criteria include a specific market segment within the industry or a specific product line within the market segment. Other measures like the firm's profitability, degree of leverage and the market share are also used in the screening process.

First Contact

The contact phase of the process involves meeting the acquisition candidate and putting forward the proposal of acquisition. It could run through several distinctively identifiable phases that need a little more elaboration.

ALTERNATIVE APPROACH STRATEGIES

The approach employed for contacting the target depends on the size of the company and whether it is publicly or privately held. For small companies in which the buyer has no direct contacts, a letter expressing interest in a joint venture or marketing alliance is enough. Thorough preparation before the first contact is essential for that alone enables the acquirer to identify the company's strengths and weaknesses and be able to explain the benefit of the proposal to the client convincingly. A face to face meeting is then arranged when the target is willing to entertain the idea of an acquisition. Contact is made through an intermediary for a medium sized company. The intermediaries might include members of the acquirer's board of directors, accounting firm, lender or an investment banker. For a large sized company contact is made through an intermediary but it is important that the contact is made with the highest level of the management of the target firm.

DISCUSSING VALUE

Valuation of the target company is the most critical part of a deal. A conservative valuation can result in collapse of the deal while an aggressive valuation may create perpetual problems for the acquiring company. The commonly used valuation methods are:i. Discounted Cash Flow Method: In this method, valuation represents the present value of the expected

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stream of future cash flow discounted for time and risk. This is the most valid methodology from the theoretical standpoint. However, it is very subjective due to the need to make several assumptions during the computations.

ii. Comparable Companies Method: This method is based on the premise that companies in the same industry provide benchmark for valuation. In this method, the target company is valued vis-a-vis its competitors on several parameters.

iii. Book Value Method: This method attempts to discover the worth of the target company based on its Net Asset Value.

iv. Market Value Method: This method is used to value listed companies. The stock market quotations provide the basis to estimate the market capitalization of the company.

EXPLANATION AND RATIONALE FOR GAINS TO SELL OFFS

Some of the main reasons why firms are forced to divest are; efficiency gains and refocus, information effects, wealth transfers, and tax reasons.

Efficiency Gains and Refocus

While Mergers and Acquisitions lead to synergy, divestures can result in reverse synergy. A particular business may be more valuable to someone for generating cash flows and that someone will be paying a higher price for the business than its present value. Divestiture is also taken to enable a company to make certain strategic changes.

The competitive advantage that a company has may change over time due to changing market conditions, and as a result, a company may have to divest a particular business. In some cases, the past diversification programs of a company may have lost value, making it necessary for the company to refocus its core competencies. A divestiture helps a company to refocus on its core competencies.

Information Effects

The information that a divestiture conveys to investors is another reason for divestiture. If the information given by management is not known to investors, the announcement of divestiture can be seen as a change in investment strategy or in operating efficiency. This may be taken in a positive sense and boost share price. However, if the divestiture announcement is perceived as the firms' attempt to dispose off a marketable subsidiary to deal with adversities in other businesses, it will send a wrong signal to investors. Whether the divestiture is seen as a good or a bad signal depends on the circumstances.

Wealth Transfers

Divestiture results in the transfer of wealth from debtholders to stockholders. This transfer takes place when a company divests a particular division and distributes the resulting proceeds of the sale among, stockholders. As a result of this transaction there is less likelihood of repayment and it will have lesser value. If the total value of the firm remains unchanged, its equity value is expected to rise.

Tax Reasons

As in the case of mergers, divestitures also provide a considerable tax advantage. When a company is losing money and is unable to use a tax-loss carry forward, it is better to divest wholly or in part to realize a tax benefit. When there is increased leverage due to restructuring, a firm can have a tax shield advantage due to interest payments being tax deductible.

TYPES OF SELL OFFS

Divestitures Definition

A divestiture is the sale of portion of the firm to an outside party generally resulting in cash infusion to the parent. They are generally the least complex of the exit restructuring activities to understand. Most of the sell offs are simply divestitures. The most common form of divestiture involves sale of a division of the parent company to another firm. The process is a form of contraction for the selling company and a means of expansion for the purchasing corporation.

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SPIN OFFS

It is a transaction in which a company distributes to its own shareholders on a pro rata basis all of the shares it owns in a subsidiary. Hence a spin-off results in the creation of a new public company with the same proportional equity ownership as the parent company.

Spin off has emerged as a popular form of corporate downsizing in the nineties. A new legal entity is created to takeover the operations of a particular division or unit of the company. The shares of the new unit are distributed on a pro rata basis among the existing shareholders. In other words, the shareholding in the new company at the time of spin-off will reflect the shareholding pattern of the parent company. The shares of the new company are listed and traded separately on the stock exchanges, thus providing an exit route for the investors. Spin-off does not result in cash inflow to the parent company.

Spin-offs are often tax-free to the parent company and to the shareholders receiving stock in the spin-off. In addition, a spin-off can be an effective method for minimizing the execution risk of a divestiture, whether due to third-party negotiations or to market conditions. Spin-offs also have smaller underwriting discounts and fees than transactions such as carve-outs. Moreover, the shareholders of the parent company receive a direct benefit by obtaining the stock of the spun-off subsidiary, as opposed to the less direct benefits of the parent company receiving the proceeds of a negotiated sale.

In the US spin-offs have become increasingly popular in the last decade, with firms seeking to divest a part of their businesses. Most of these spin-offs involve a pro rata distribution of shares in a wholly owned subsidiary to the shareholders of the firm, in the form of a dividend. After the distribution, both the parent and the subsidiary initially share the same shareholder base, even though the operations and management of the two entities are now separate and independent of each other. Another important feature of a spin-off that sets it apart from other types of corporate divestitures is that it does not provide the parent with any cash infusion.

Recently, there has been a noticeable trend towards two-step spin off transactions, where parent firms first sell up to 20% of the shares in the subsidiary in an initial public offering, followed shortly by a distribution of the remaining shares to its shareholders. The 20% limit is usually observed in the first step in order to preserve the tax-free status of the transaction. Why firms choose to pursue a two-step spin-off instead of a 100% pure spin-off is unclear. Previous research generally focuses on pure spin-offs, so this question has yet to be addressed. A possible reason for a two-step spin-off is to avoid the dip in the stock price that the spun-off subsidiary usually experiences in the first few months following the distribution. This initial stock price decline is usually associated with the portfolio rebalancing activities of large institutional investors who may not wish to hold the shares of the subsidiary given away by the parent in a spin-off transaction.

For example, the manager of an index fund may be required to sell the shares of the spun-off subsidiary if that subsidiary does not form part of the index. In a two-step spin-off, the minority carve-out enables the parent firm to create an orderly market for the new issue, so as to avoid flooding the market with a large number of shares, as in the case of a pure spin-off (Lament and Thaler, 2000). Also, since the carve-out takes the form of an IPO, investment banks are often committed to help support and market the new issue - a feature that is also conspicuously absent in a pure spin-off transaction. When the second step of the spin-off takes place, the market is then better positioned to support the portfolio rebalancing activities highlighted above.

There is a wealth of research on the effects of spin-offs on both parent and subsidiary firms. Early research efforts focused mainly on the changes in parent company share prices at the time of the spin-off announcement. In a study of 6 major spin-offs in the 1970s, Kudla and Mclnish (1983) showed a positive market reaction in the parents' stock 15 to 40 weeks before the distribution took place - an indication that the market correctly predicted the spin-off well ahead of the actual event. This result has been supported by many other studies for periods that date back as early as 1963 to 1981.

Cusatis, Miles and Woolridge (1993) were among the first researchers to focus on the performance of the subsidiary post-spin-off. They examined 815 spin-offs from 1965 to 1988 and found significantly positive abnormal returns for the spun-off subsidiary, the parent and the spin-off-parent combination for a period of up to three years after the spin-off announcement date. They also found that the abnormal returns were attributable to increased takeover activity, which was not folly anticipated by the market at the time of the spin-off announcement. Hence, they concluded that earlier event studies underestimated the value created by spin-offs.

A 1997 study done by J P Morgan provided evidence that the positive stockholder wealth effects continued well into the 1990s. Also, it was found that smaller spin-offs (with an initial market capitalization of less than $200 million) significantly outperformed their larger counterparts. J P Morgan attributed this to underpricing by the market, which was in turn due to the lack of knowledge on the part of investors.

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An interesting phenomenon reflected in the graphs showing the post-distribution stock returns of the spun-off subsidiary, but not investigated by J P Morgan, is the initial decline in returns experienced by the spin-offs in approximately the first 30 trading days after the distribution. Thereafter, the downward trend is reversed and returns become positive three months after the spin-off date. This pricing anomaly, however, had already been picked up by the press and documented by other researchers such as Brown and Brooke (1993) and Abarbanell, Bushee and Raedy (1998). Brown and Brooke reported price declines of approximately 4% in spun-off subsidiaries that coincided with substantial reductions in institutional holdings in these firms, and concluded that the sudden and substantial sell-off of subsidiary shares by institutional investors as part of their portfolio rebalancing activities explained the downward pressures on price and consequently returns.

Likewise, Abarbanell et al. found empirical evidence supporting the initial decline in the stock returns of the spun-off subsidiary. In a study of 179 spin-offs between 1980 and 1996, they noted that the overall returns to subsidiaries were significantly negative within 10 trading days of the distribution date, and this was consistent with a decrease in mean level of institutional ownership. In fact, a negative abnormal return of- 4.12% was observed for a 35-day trading period (similar to the finding by Brown and Brooke) and it took another 25 trading days for this trend to completely reverse. However, Abarbanell et al. did not find any reliable evidence that led them to conclude that this decline was associated with institutional sell-offs.

Tax Consideration

Spin offs consist of multiple spin offs not taxable to shareholders. To avoid ordinary income taxes the parent and the subsidiary must have been engaged in business for 5 years prior to the spin-off. The subsidiary should be at least 80% owned by the parent. And parent has to distribute the shares in the subsidiary without a prearranged plan for these securities to be resold.

Treatment of Warrants and Convertibles Securities

When the parent company has issued the warrants and the securities the conversion ratio may have to be adjusted. The spin-off may cause the common stock in the parent company to be less valuable if the deal is structured for the gain through the distribution of the proceeds in the form of special dividend. Warrant and security holders may not participate in this gain. The stock price of the parent company may fall because it will be less likely that the price will rise high to enable the securities to be converted. If this is the case, the conversion prices may not need to be adjusted as part of the terms of the deal.

Employee Stock Option Plans

Employee's shares are held under an employee stock option plan. The number of the shares obtained also need to be adjusted after the spin-off. The adjustment is designed to leave the market value of the shares that could be obtained after the spin-off at the same level. The main goal is to maintain the market value of the shares that may be obtained through the conversion of the employee stock options.

It has grown its popularity since 1992. Its growth was partly fueled by investors' preferences to release the internal values in the company's stock prices.

Disadvantages of Spin-offs

• There will be considerable selling pressure from institutions and index funds immediately after the spin-off. This will have a downward pressure on the stock price in the short-term.

• As shares are distributed primarily to existing shareholders, spin-off lack liquidity.• From the disposition proceeds the parent does not get anything.• The parent company does not gain monetarily through the spin off.• A spin off is often perceived as a method for getting rid of a sub-par asset by the parent.• The new company formed by the spin off has to incur expenses for issuing new shares.• Servicing the shareholders will lead to duplication of the activities in parent and the spun off company.

EQUITY CARVE-OUTS

An Equity Carve-out (ECO) is a partial public offering of a wholly owned subsidiary. Unlike spin-offs, ECOs generate a capital infusion because the parent offers shares in the subsidiary to the public through an IPO, although it usually retains a controlling interest in the subsidiary. Like spin-offs, ECOs have become increasingly popular in the last several years.

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An equity carve-out involves conversion of an existing division or unit into a wholly owned subsidiary. A part of the stake in this subsidiary is sold to outsiders. The parent company may or may not retain controlling stake in the new entity. The shares of the subsidiary are listed and traded separately on the stock exchange. Equity carve-outs result in a positive cash flow to the parent company. An equity carve-out is different from a spin-off because of the induction of outsiders as new shareholders in the firm. Secondly equity carve-outs require higher levels of disclosure and are more expensive to implement.

The potential benefits of equity carve-out include:

"Pure play" Investment Opportunity: Pure plays have been in much demand by investors in recent years. An ECO, especially for a subsidiary that is not involved in the parent's primary business or industry, increases the subsidiary's visibility as well as analyst and investor awareness. This enhances its overall value. Investors also like ECO pure plays because separating the parent and subsidiary minimizes cross-subsidies and other potentially inefficient uses of capital.

Management Scorecard and Rewards: Management is evaluated on a daily basis through the company's stock price. This immediate, visible scorecard can boost performance by spurring managers to make timely strategic decisions and concentrate on the factors that contribute to better shareholder value. Correspondingly, managers are also more likely to be rewarded for improved results.

Capital Market Access: An ECO typically improves access to capital markets for both the parent and the subsidiary.

Process of Equity Carve-out

A typical carve-out scenario in the US begins with the parent publicly announcing its intention to offer securities in a subsidiary or division through an ECO. Since an ECO is a type of IPO, companies must file an S-l registration statement with the SEC. Registration requires three years of audited income statements, two years of audited balance sheets, and five years of selected historic financial data. The ensuing process — including the preparation of financial and registration statements, SEC review, responses, and amendments, and offering marketing — normally takes up to six months. Once the SEC reviews and declares it effective, the parent can sell the offering, either listing the spin-off on an exchange or providing for trading over the counter.

Either the parent or the carve-out (or both) can receive the IPO proceeds. If the subsidiary sells the shares, the IPO represents a primary offering. Over 70 percent of the companies in the researchers' sample reported handling the ECO in this manner. If the parent sells the shares (known as secondary shares), it must recognize the difference between the IPO proceeds and its basis as a gain or loss for tax purposes. If the subsidiary sells the shares in the IPO, neither the parent nor the carve-out incurs a tax liability. When the ECO sells the shares, it often uses some of the proceeds to repay loans to the parent or pay a special dividend. A relatively small number of ECOs are handled as joint offerings of the parent and subsidiary.

A study has found that 50 percent of the ECOs used for the proceedings of primary offerings to repay loans to the parent, 30 percent to be retained, and 20 percent pay to creditors. In secondary offerings, 50 percent of the parents ECOs retain the proceeds, while 50 percent pay to creditors. The research indicates that the initial stock market reaction to an ECO announcement is more favorable if the subsidiary retains the funds.

After the IPO, all transactions between the parent and the subsidiary must be conducted on an arm's-length basis and disclosed in the registration statement. The parent typically continues to perform certain corporate services, such as investor relations, legal and tax services, human resources, data processing, and banking services, on a contractual basis.

Characteristics of ECO candidate

Strong potential ECO candidates have some or all of the following characteristics.

Strong Growth Prospects: If the subsidiary is in an industry with better growth prospects than the parent, it will likely sell at a higher price/earnings multiple once it has been partially carved out of the parent.

Independent Borrowing Capacity: A subsidiary that has achieved the size, asset base, earnings and growth potential, and identity of an independent company will be able to generate additional financing sources and borrowing capacity after the carve-out.

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Unique Corporate Culture: Subsidiaries whose corporate culture differs from that of the parent may be good ECO candidates because the carve-out can offer management the freedom to run the company as an independent entity. Companies that require entrepreneurial cultures for success can especially benefit from this transaction.

Special Industry Characteristics: Subsidiaries with unusual characteristics are often better suited to decentralized management decision-making, which may allow management to respond more quickly to changes in technology, competition, and regulation.

Management Performance, Retention, and Rewards: Subsidiaries that compete in industries where management retention is an issue and targeted reward systems are required can benefit from an ECO.

After the Equity Carve-Out

While analyzing a sample of ECOs, researchers found important increases in sales, operating income before depreciation, total assets, and capital expenditures. However, they believe these improvements owe less to newly gained efficiencies than to the carve-out's growth after going public. This is because the relative growth rates were not positive or statistically significant.

Note that ECOs, like spin-offs, are subject to a great deal of takeover activity. In the sample, 50% of the ECOs were acquired within three years. An analysis of returns for these companies suggests that ECOs that are taken over perform better than average, while those that are not perform worse than average. Nonetheless, even the latter outperform, on average, in other types of firms. Overall, it is clear that ECOs earn significantly positive abnormal stock returns for up to three years after the carve-out. Parents, on the other hand, earn negative stock returns.

As with spin-offs, these higher-than-normal stock returns are associated with better operating performance and corporate restructuring activity. As a restructuring device, ECOs clearly seem to lead to better operating performance (on average) and greater increases in shareholder value.

In a study of equity carve-outs by J P Morgan, it was found that carve-out firms in which the parent firm announced that a spin-off would follow at a later date, outperformed the market by 11% for a period of 18 months after the initial public offering, while carve-out firms without spin-off announcements under performed the market by 3%. Equity carve outs involve the sale of an equity interest in a subsidiary to outsiders. This sale may not necessarily leave the parent in control of the subsidiary. Post carve-out, the partially divested subsidiary is operated and managed as a separate firm.

Disadvantages of Equity Carve-Outs

The biggest disadvantage of carve-outs is the scope for conflict between the two companies as operation level conflict occurs because of the creation of a new group of financial stakeholders by the mangers of the carved-out company. The requirements of these stakeholders differ from those of the original stakeholders. This conflict can hinder the performance of both firms. The stock performance of a company that has carved out 70 to 100 percent is better than that of a company that has carved-out less than 70 percent. This indicates that lack of separation between the two entities prevents the carved-out entity from reaching its potential.

Split-Off

In a split-off, a new company is created to takeover the operations of an existing division or unit. A portion of the shares of the parent company are exchanged for the shares of the new company. In other words, a section of the shareholders will be allotted shares in the new company by redeeming their existing shares. The logic of split-off is that the equity base of the parent company should be reduced reflecting the downsizing of the firm. Hence the shareholding of the new entity does not reflect the shareholding of the parent firm. Just .as in spin-off, a split-off does not result in any cash inflow to the parent company.

Split-Up

Split-up results in the complete break up of a company into two or more new companies. All the division or units are converted into separate companies and the parent firm ceases to exist. The shares of the new companies are distributed among the existing shareholders of the firm.

The term "split-up" is defined as the division of a company into two or more publicly traded comparatively substantial entities through one or more transactions.

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Chapter 8Financial Engineering

ACTIVITY BASED COSTING

Applying overhead costs to each product or service based on the extent to which that product or service causes overhead cost to be incurred is the primary objective of accounting for overhead costs. In many production processes, overhead is applied to products using a single predetermined overhead rate based on a single activity measure. With Activity-Based Costing (ABC), multiple activities are identified in the production process that are associated with costs. The events within these activities that cause work (costs) are called cost drivers. Examples of overhead cost drivers are machine set-ups, material-handling operations, and the number of steps in a manufacturing process. Examples of cost drivers in non-manufacturing organizations are hospital beds occupied, the number of take-offs and landing for an airline, and the number of rooms occupied in a hotel. The cost drivers are used to apply overhead to products and services when using ABC.

The following five steps are used to apply costs to products under an ABC system.

1. Choose appropriate activities2. Trace costs to activities3. Determine cost drivers for each activity4. Estimate the application rate for each cost driver5. Apply costs to products.

These steps are discussed in more detail below.

Choose Appropriate Activities

The first step of ABC is to choose the activities that result in incurring of overhead costs. These activities do not necessarily coincide with existing departments but rather represent a group of transactions that support the production process. Typical activities used in ABC are designing, ordering, scheduling, moving materials, controlling inventory, and controlling quality.

Each of these activities is composed of transactions that result in costs. More than one cost pool can be established for each activity. A cost pool is an account to record the costs of an activity with a specific cost driver.

Trace Costs to Activities

Once the activities have been chosen, costs must be traced to the cost pools for different activities. To facilitate this tracing, cost drivers are chosen to act as vehicles for distributing costs. These cost drivers are often called resource drivers. A predetermined rate is estimated for each resource driver. Consumption of the resource driver in combination with the predetermined rate determines the distribution of the resource costs to the activities.

Determine Cost Drivers for Activities

Cost drivers for activities are sometimes called activity drivers. Activity drivers represent the event that causes costs within an activity. For example, activity drivers for the purchasing activity include negotiations with vendors, ordering materials, scheduling their arrival, and perhaps inspection. Each of these activity drivers represents costly procedures that are performed in the purchasing activity. An activity driver is chosen for each cost pool. If two cost pools use the same cost driver, then the cost pools could be combined for product-costing purposes.

Cooper has developed several criteria for choosing activity drivers. First, the data on the cost driver must be easy to obtain. Second, the consumption of the activity implied by the activity driver should be highly correlated with the actual consumption of the activity. The third criterion to consider is the behavioral effects induced by the choice of the activity driver. Activity drivers determine the application of costs, which in turn can affect individual performance measures.

The judicious use of more activity drivers increase the accuracy of product costs. Ostrenga concludes that there is a preferred sequence for accurate product costs.

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Direct costs are the most accurate in applying costs to products. The application of overhead costs through cost drivers is the next most accurate process. Any remaining overhead costs must be allocated in a somewhat arbitrary manner, which is less accurate.

Estimate Application Rates for each Activity Driver

An application rate must be estimated for each activity driver. A predetermined rate is estimated by dividing the cost pool by the estimated level of activity of the activity driver. Alternatively, an actual rate is determined by dividing the actual costs of the cost pool by the actual level of activity of the activity driver. Standard costs, could also be used to calculate a predetermined rate.

Applying Costs to Products

The application of costs to products is calculated by multiplying the application rate times the usage of the activity driver in manufacturing a product or providing a service.

Examples of Activity Based Costing

Alpha Motors Inc. produces electric motors. The company makes a standard electric-starter motor for a major auto manufacturer and also produces electric motors that are specially ordered. The company has four essential activities: design, ordering, machinery, and marketing. Alpha Motors incurs the following costs during the month of January:

Traditional cost accounting would apply the overhead costs based on a single measure of activity. If direct labor was used, then the overhead rate would be Rs.60,00,000/(Rs. 10,00,000 + Rs.2,00,000), or 500% of direct labor. Hence:

Overhead to standard motors ~ 500% of Rs.10,00,000 of direct labor

Standard Motors

Special Order Motors

Direct labor Rs.10,00,000 Rs.2,00,000 Direct materials 30,00,000 10,00,000 Overhead: Indirect labor Rs.35,00,000

Depreciation of building 2,00,000 Depreciation of equipment 10,00,000

Maintenance 3,00,000 Utilities 10,00,000

60,00,000

=Rs.50,00,000

Overhead to special-order motors

= 500% of Rs.2,00,000 of direct labor

= Rs.10,00,000

With ABC, activities are chosen and the overhead costs are distributed to cost pools within these activities through resource drivers. The costs of activities are then applied to products through activity drivers. Alpha Motors performs the following activities: designing, ordering, machining, and marketing. Each activity has one cost pool. The overhead costs are distributed to the cost pools of the activities using the following resource drivers:

Overhead Account Resource Driver Indirect labor Labor hours Depreciation of building Area of building Depreciation of equipment Machine time Maintenance Area of building Utilities Amps used

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The usages of the resource drivers by activity are:

Designing Ordering Machining Marketing TotalsLabor hours 1,00,000 20,000 1,00,000 1,30,000 3,50,000 Sq. ft. of building 50,000 30,000 1,00,000 20,000 20,00,000 Machine time 0 0 10,00,000 0 10,00,000 Amps 2,00,000 1,00,000 16,00,000 1,00,000 20,00,000

The resource driver application rates are calculated by dividing overhead costs by total resource driver usage:

Overhead Account Resource Driver

Cost of Overhead

Total Driver Usage

Application Rate

Indirect labor - Labour hours Rs. 3,50,000 Rs. 10/Labor 35,00,000 labour-hours hour Depreciation of Area of 2,00,000 2,00,000 sp.ft. Re. 1/sq.ft. Building building Depreciation of Machine 10,00,000 50,000 hrs. Rs. 20/hr. Machinery time Maintenance Area of 3,00,000 2,00,000 sq.ft. Rs.l.SO/sq.ft building Utilities Amps used 10,00,000 20,00,000 amps 0.50/amps

By multiplying the application rate times the resource usage of each activity, overhead costs can be allocated to the different activities. For example, the cost of the indirect labor allocated to the designing activity is Rs.l0/labor hour i.e. Rs. 10,00,000.

Designing Rs.

Ordering Rs.

Machining Rs.

Marketing Rs.

Totals Rs.

Indirect labor 10,00,000 2,00,000 10,00,000 13,00,000 35,00,000 Depreciation of building 50,000 30,000 1,00,000 20,000 2,00,000 Depreciation of equipment 10,00,000 10,00,000

Maintenance 75,000 45,000 1,50,000 30,000 3,00,000 Utilities 1,00,000 50,000 8,00,000 50,000 10,00,000 Totals 12,25,000 3,25,000 30,50,000 14,00,000 60,00,000

Once the overhead costs have been distributed to the activity cost pools, activity drivers must be chosen to apply the costs to the products. Suppose the following activity drivers are chosen:

Activity Activity Driver Designing Design changes Ordering Number of orders Machining Machine time Marketing Number of contracts with customer

Alpha Motors uses actual costs and activity levels to determine the application rates shown below:

Activity Driver Costs ofActivity

Total Driver Usage

Application Rate

Design changes Rs.12,25,000 12,250 changes Rs.l00/change Number of orders 3,25,000 6,500 orders Rs.50/orders

Machine time 30,50,000 152.5 hours Rs.2000/hours

Number of contracts 14,00,000 7,000 contracts Rs.200/contract

The application rates are then multiplied by the cost driver usage for each product to determine-the costs applied.

The ABC method applied a much higher amount of the overhead cost to the special-order electric motors than when all overhead was applied by direct-labor basis. The reason for the greater overhead application to the special-order electric motors is the greater usage of the activities that enhance the manufacturing of the electric

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motors during their production. Use of direct-labor hours to allocate overhead does not recognize the extra overhead requirements of the special-order electric motors. Misapplication of overhead could lead to inappropriate product line decisions. The greater the diversity of requirements of products on over head-related services and other overhead costs, the greater the need for an ABC system.

Other Benefits of Activity Based Costing

ABC is" valuable for planning, because the establishment of an ABC system requires a careful study of the total manufacturing or service process of an organization. ABC highlights the causes of costs. An analysis of these causes can identify activities that do not add to the value of the product. These activities include moving materials and accounting for transactions. Although these activities cannot be completely eliminated, they may be reduced. A recognition of how various activities affect costs can lead to modifications in the planning of factory layouts and increased efforts in the design process stage to reduce future manufacturing costs.

An analysis of activities can also lead to better performance measurement. Workers on the line often understand activities better than costs and can be evaluated accordingly. At higher management levels, the activities can be aggregated to be in line with responsibility centers. Managers would be responsible for the costs of the activities associated with their responsibility centers.

Weaknesses of Activity Based Costing

First, ABC is based on historical costs. For planning decisions, future costs are generally the relevant costs. Second, ABC does not partition variable and fixed costs. For many short run decisions, it is important to identify variable costs. Third, ABC is only as accurate as the quality of the cost drivers. The distribution and application of costs becomes an arbitrary allocation process when the cost drivers are not associated with the factors that are causing costs. And finally, ABC tends to be more expensive than the more traditional methods of applying costs to products.

Organizational Base Costing – It is a traditional costing that considers the cost of a product to be its direct costs for materials and labor, plus some allocated portion of manufacturing overhead. In OBC, overhead rates are allocated to products using a plant-wide or departmental overhead rates, i.e. cost assignment follows the organization chart.

Product Costing Continuum

Organizational-Based Costing (OBC) Activity-Based Costing (ABC)*Plant-Wide Departmental Two-Stage Models Multiple Stage ModelsOverhead Overhead Rate Methods

*Also varies in number of cost drivers at each level

Deciding the number of cost drivers

• To decide on the number of cost drivers, the following factors can be considered:– Purpose of the system

• The objectives of the system will determine how many cost drivers are needed• The greater the number of cost drivers, the greater will be the cost of designing and maintaining the

system– Resources availability

• Cost benefit analysis can be applied, companies should always ask the question as to whether the incremental benefit is justifiable in terms of the incremental cost incurred. The ultimate question is whether the company can afford the best system available given its requirements.– Company complexity

• Product as the cost object:– Number of production processes– Total indirect costs– Product diversity

• Customer as the cost object:– Number of distribution channels– Steps in distribution system– Variety in items– Customer diversity

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ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED (EVA)

Economic Value Added or EVA is the economic profit generated after the cost of invested capital. EVA incorporates the opportunity cost of invested capital that is not realized by traditional accounting measures. Numerous studies have shown EVA to have a higher correlation to stock valuation than accounting based measures.

EVA = Net Operating Profit after Tax - (Invested Capital x Cost of Capital)

There are two steps required to convert GAAP net income to EVA. First, calculate net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) by adjusting net income. Common adjustments include extraordinary gains and losses, securities gains and losses, provision expenses and preferred stock dividends. Second, calculate invested capital and apply cost of capital. Invested capital includes book value of common and preferred equity, after-tax allowance for loan losses, and certain adjustments for cumulative non-operating gains and losses. Cost of capital equals the minimum required rate of return for investors {e.g. 15%). Whenever EVA is positive, shareholders have received a total economic return on their investment in excess of their required rate of return. .

CASH FLOW RETURNS ON INVESTMENT (CFROI)

CFROI is defined as the return on investment expected over the average life of the firm's existing assets. CFROI is nothing but another form of IRR measure. The key difference between the IRR and CFROI is that cash flows and investment are stated in constant monetary units in CFROI which overcome deficiencies of the traditional return on investment methods.

LEVERAGE- Leverage in the general sense means influence of power i.e., utilizing the existing resources to attain something else. Leverage in terms of financial analysis is the influence which an independent financial variable has over a dependent/related financial variable. When leverage is measured between two financial variables it explains how the dependent variable responds to a particular change in the independent variable. To explain further, let X be an independent financial variable and Y its dependent variable, then the leverage which Y has with X can be assessed by the percentage change in Y to a percentage change in X.

where

LY/LX measure of the leverage which dependent Y has with independent X AX change in XAY change in YA X/X - percentage change in X AY/Y percentage change in Y

Measures of Leverage

To better understand the importance of leverage in financial analysis, it is imperative to understand the three measures of leverage.• Operating Leverage• Financial Leverage• Combined/ Total Leverage.

These three measures of leverage depend to a large extent on the various income statement items and the relationship that exists between them. Given below is the Income Statement of XYZ Company Ltd. and the relationship that exits between the various items of the statement:

Income Statement of XYZ Company Ltd.

Item Amount (Rs.)Total Revenue 25,00,000 Less: Variable Expenses (V) 10,00,000 Fixed Expenses (F) 9,00,000 Earnings Before Interest & Tax (EBIT) 6,00,000

Less; Interest on Debt (I) 75,000 Profit Before Tax (PBT) 5,25,000 Less:Tax @ 50% (T) 2,62,500

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Profit After Tax (PAT) 2,62,500 Less: Preference dividend (Dp) 50,000

Equity Earnings 2,12,500

Total Revenue = Quantity Sold (Q) x Selling Price (S)

Hence,

EBIT = QxS-QxV-F = Q(S-V)-F ...(i)EPS = r(EBIT-I)(l-T)-DJ/N ...(ii)

...(iii)

where N = No. of Equity Shareholders

The above three equations [(i), (ii) and (iii)] which establish the relationship between the various items of the Income Statement form the base for the measurement of the different leverages.

OPERATING LEVERAGE

Operating leverage examines the effect of the change in the quantity produced on the EBIT of the company and is measured by calculating the Degree of Operating Leverage (DOL).

DOL = Percentage change in EBJT/Percentage change in Output

From Eq(i) EBIT = Q(S - V) - F Substituting for EBIT, we get

DOL = [Q(S-V)]/[Q(S-V)-F] ....(iv)

Illustration 8.1

Calculate the DOL for XYZ Company Ltd. given the following additional information:

Quantity produced 5,000Variable cost per unit Rs,200Selling price per unit Rs.500Fixed asset Rs.9,00,000

DOL of XYZ Company Ltd.

= [5,000(500 - 200)]/[5,000(500 - 200) - 9,00,000] = 2.50

Application and Utility of the Operating Leverage

It is important to know how the operating leverage is measured, but equally essential is to understand its application and utility in financial analysis. To understand the application of DOL one has to understand the behavior of DOL visa-vis the changes in the output by calculating the DOL at the various levels of Q.

Following are the different DOL for the various levels of Q for XYZ Company Ltd.:

Quantity Produced

Degree of Operating Leverage

1000 -0.52000 -2.03000 004000 4.05000 2.5

When the value of Q is 3000 the EBIT of the company is zero and this is the operating break-even point. Thus,

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at operating break-even point, where the EBIT is zero, the quantity produced can be calculated as follows:

Q = F/(S - V)

For XYZ Company Ltd.: Q - 9,00,0007(500 - 200) = 3,000

After measuring the DOL for a particular company at varying levels of output the following observations can be made:

• Each level of output has a distinct DOL.

• DOL is undefined at the operating break-even point.

• If Q is less than the operating break-even point, then DOL will be negative (which does not imply that an increase in Q leads to a decrease in EBIT).

• If Q is greater than the operating break-even point, then the DOL will be positive. However, the DOL will start to decline as the level of output increases and will reach a limit of 1.

IMPLICATIONS

Determining Behavior of EBIT

DOL helps in ascertaining change in operating income for a given change in output (quantity produced and sold). If the DOL of a firm is say, 2, then a 10% increase in the level of output will increase operating income by 20%. A large DOL indicates that small fluctuations in the level of output will produce large fluctuations in the level of operating income.

In Table 8.1, two firms with different cost structures are compared.

Table 8.1 Cost and Profit Schedules for Bell Metal Works and Fibre Glass Ltd.

Bell Metal Works Fibre Glass LimitedUnits

Produced & Sold

SalesTotal

Operating Cost

EBITUnits

Produced & Sold

SalesTotal Operating

CostEBIT

Q PQ Q PQ(In Rupees) (In Rupees}

10.000 1,00,000 1,60,000 (60,000) 10,000 1,00,000 2,40,000 (1,40,000)20,000 2.00,000 2,30,000 (30,000) 20,000 2,00,000 2,90,000 (90,000)30,000 3,00,000 3,00,000 0 30,000 3,00,000 3,40,000 (40,000)40,000 4,00,000 3,70,000' 30,000 40.000 4,00,000 3,90,000 10,00050,000 5,00.000 4,40,000 60,000 50,000 5,00,000 4,40,000 60,00060,000 6,00,000 5,10,000 90,000 60,000 6,00,000 4,90,000 .1,10,00070,000 7,00,000 5,80,000 1,20,000 70.000 7,00,000 5,40,000 1,60,00080,000 8,00,000 6,50,000 1,50,000 80,000 8,00,000 5,90,000 2,10,000

Unit Selling Price (P) = Rs.10 Unit Selling Price (P) = Rs.10 . Operating Fixed Costs (F) = Rs.90,000 Operating Fixed Costs (F) = Rs.1. 90,000 Unit Variable Operating Cost (V) = Rs.7 Unit Variable Operating Cost (V) = Rs,5 EBIT Break-even Point = 30,000 units EBIT Break-even Point = 38,000 units

From table 8.1, we can see that Bell Metal Works has lower fixed costs and higher variable cost per unit when compared to Fibre Glass Limited. The selling price per unit (P) of both firms is the same, viz., Rs.10. An interesting point we notice is that at an output of 50,000 units both firms have the same profit i.e., Rs.60,000. However, as sales fluctuate, the EBIT of Bell Metal Works fluctuates for less than the EBIT of Fibre Glass Limited. This brings us to the conclusion that the DOL of Fibre Glass Limited is greater than the DOL of Bell Metal Works. Let us compute the DOL of these two firms at an output of 50,000 units. For Bell Metal Works: DOL = [50,000 (10 - 7)] / [50,000 (10 - 7) - 90,000]

= 2.5 For Fibre Glass Limited:

DOL = [50,000 (10 - 5)] / [50,000(10 - 5) - 1,90,000]

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= 4.17

The figures prove our conclusion to be right.

• Measurement of Business Risk: We know that the greater the DOL, the more sensitive is EBIT to a given change in unit sales, i.e. the greater is the risk of exceptional losses if sales become depressed. DOL is therefore a measure of the firm's business risk. Business risk refers to the uncertainty or variability of the firm's EBIT. So, every thing else being equal, a higher DOL means higher business risk and vice-versa.

• Production Planning: DOL is also important in production planning. For instance, the firm may have the opportunity to change its cost structure by introducing labor-saving machinery, thereby reducing variable labor overhead while increasing the fixed costs, Such a situation will increase DOL. Any method of production which increases DOL is justified only if it is highly probable that sales will be high so that the firm can enjoy the increased earnings of increased DOL.

FINANCIAL LEVERAGE

While operating leverage measures the change in the EB1T of a company to a particular change in the output, the financial leverage measures the effect of the change in EBIT on the EPS of the company. Financial leverage also refers to the mix of debt and equity in the capital structure of the company. The measure of financial leverage is the Degree of Financial Leverage (DFL) and it can be calculated as follows:

DFL = (percentage change in EPS)/ (percentage change in EBIT)

DFL = (AEPS/EPS)/(AEBTT/EBIT)

Substituting Eq (ii) for EPS we get,

Taking the example of XYZ Company Ltd., which has an EBIT of Rs.6,00,000 at 5,000 level of production, the capital structure of the company is as follows:

Capital Structure Amount (Rs.)

Authorized Issued and Paid-up Capital 500000 Equity Shares @ Rs. 10 each 50,00,000

15% Debentures 5,00,000 10% Preference Shares 5000 Preference Shares @ Rs.100 5,00,000

Total 60,00,000

Let us now calculate the DFL of XYZ Company Ltd. Earnings Before Interest and Tax (ERIT)

= Rs.6,00,000

Interest on Long-term Debt (I) = Rs.75,000 Preference Dividend (Dp) = Rs.50,000 Corporate Tax (T) = 50%

6,00,000 DFL 50,000

6,00,000-75,000 1-0.5

Application and Utility of the Financial Leverage

Financial leverage when measured for various levels of EBIT will aid in understanding the behavior of DFL and also explain its utility in financial decision making. Consider the case of XYZ Company Ltd. to measure DFL for varying levels of EBIT.

EBIT (Rs.) DFL

50,000 -0.40

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1,00,000 -1.33

1,75,000 00

6,00,000 1.41

7,00,000 1.33

7,50,000 1.30

The DFL at EBIT level of 175000 is undefined and this point is the Financial Break-even Point. It can be defined as:

EBIT = I + Dp/(l-T)

The following observations can also be made from studying the behavior of DFL.

• Each level of EBIT has a distinct DFL.• DFL is undefined at the financial Break-even Point.• DFL will be negative when the EBTT level goes below the Financial Break-even Point• DFL will be positive for all values of EBIT that are above the Financial Break-even Point. This will however

start to decline as EBIT increases and will reach a limit of 1.

By assessing the DFL one can understand the impact of a change in EBLT on the EPS of the company. In addition to this it also helps in assessing the financial risk of the firm, Impact of Financial Leverage on Investor's Rate of Return

Let us see with the help of a very simple example, how financial leverage affects return on equity. A company needs a capital of Rs. 10,000 to operate. This money may be brought in by the shareholders of the company. Alternatively, a part of this money may also be brought in through debt financing. If the management raises Rs. 10,000 from shareholders, the company is not financially leveraged and would have the following balance sheet.

The use of debt in the company's capital structure has caused the net profit to decline from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,000. But has the return on owner's capital declined? Return on Equity now works out to 30%, as. the owners have invested only Rs.3,333 now which earned them Rs.1,000. What were the factors which contributed to this additional return? We can trace out two sources of this additional return:

• though the company has to pay interest at 15% on borrowed capital, the company's operations have been able to generate more than 15% which is being transferred to the owners.

• the reduction in PBT has brought about a reduction in the amount of tax paid, as interest is a tax deductible expense, to the extent of interest (1 - tax rate) i.e., Rs.500. The greater the tax rate, the more is the tax shield available to a company which is financially leveraged.

As was seen in the above example, a company may increase the return on equity by the use of debt i.e., the use of financial leverage. By increasing the proportion of debt in the pattern of financing i.e., by increasing the debt-equity ratio, the company should be able to increase the return on equity.

Financial Leverage and Risk

If increased financial leverage leads to increased return on equity, why do companies not resort to ever increasing amounts of debt financing? Why do financial and other term lending institutions insist on norms for Debt-Equity Ratio? The answer is that as the company becomes more financially leveraged, it becomes riskier, i.e., increased use of debt financing will lead to increased financial risk which leads to:

• Increased fluctuations in the return on equity.• Increase in the interest rate on debts,

Increased Fluctuations in Returns

In the previous example, let us assume that sales decline by 10% (from Rs. 10,000 to Rs.9,000), expenses remaining the same, What happens to return on equity? The income statements for the financially unleveraged and leveraged firms will appear as follows:

Unleveraged Firm

(zero Debt)

Leveraged Finn(Debt-Equity Ratio

2 : 1)186

Sales 9,000 9,000 Expenses 7,000 7,000 EBIT 2,000 2,000 Interest Charges - 1,000

(6667x0.15) PBTTax @5Q%

2,000 1,000

1,000 500

Net Profit 1,000 500 Net Profit at Sales of Rs, 10,000 1,500 1000 ROE at Sales of Rs. 10,000 15% 30% ROE at Sales of Rs.9,000 10% 15%

We see that a 10% decline in sales produces substantial declines in earnings and the rates of return on owner's

equity in both cases. But the decline is greater for the financially leveraged firm than for the financially

unleveraged firm. Why is this so? The reason can be traced to the fact that once a firm borrows capital, interest

payments become obligatory and hence fixed in nature. The same interest payment which was the cause for

increase in owner's equity when sales were Rs. 10,000 is now the cause for its more than proportional decline

with a decline in sales. Hence, the greater the use of financial leverage, the greater the potential fluctuation in

return on equity.

INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES

Firms that are highly financially leveraged are perceived by lenders of debt as risky. Creditors may refuse to

lend to a highly leveraged firm or may do so only at higher rates of interest or more stringent loan conditions. As

the interest rate increases, the return on equity decreases. However, even though the rate of return diminishes,

it might still exceed the rate of return obtained when no debt was used, in which case financial leverage would

still be favorable.

IMPLICATIONS

Let us again refer to our earlier example. In the first situation, the company was unleveraged, in the second

situation the debt-equity ratio was 2:1. The balance sheet and income statements are reproduced below;

Balance Sheets

Unleveraged Leveraged Liabilities Assets [Liabilities Assets Equity Capital

10,000 Cash 10,000 Equity Capital Debt Debt

3,333 Cash 10,000

6,667 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000

Income Statements

Unleveraged Leveraged

Sales 10,000 10,000 Expenses 7,000 7,000

EBIT 3,000 3,000

Interest - 1,000

PBT 3,000 2,000

Tax @ 50% 1,500 1,000

Net Profit 1,500 1,000

The Degree of Financial Leverage (DFL) in each case is calculated as:

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What do these figures imply? They imply that if EBIT is changed by 1%, EPS will also change by 1%, the company uses no debt. However, EPS changes by 1,5% when it uses debt in the ratio of 2:1 (66.67% of total capital). This is proof of what we have stated earlier: The greater the leverage, the wider are fluctuations in the return on equity and the greater is the financial risk the company is exposed to. Through an EBIT-EPS analysis, we can evaluate various financing plans or degrees of financial leverage with respect to their effect on EPS.

TOTAL LEVERAGE

A combination of the operating and financial leverages is the total or combined leverage. Thus, the degree of total leverage (DTL) is the measure of the output and EPS of the company. DTL is the product of DOL and DFL and can be calculated as follows;

DTL = % change in EPS / % change in output = (AEPS/EPS)/(AQ/Q)

DTL = DOL x DFL

= {[Q(S-V)]/[Q(S-V)-F]}X

{[Q(S - V) - F]/Q(S - V) - F - I - [Dp/1 - T)]}

Calculating the DTL for XYZ Co. Ltd. given the following information:

Equity Earnings = Rs.1,62,500 Quantity Produced (Q) 5000 Units

Variable Cost per unit (V) = Rs.200

Selling Price per unit (S) = Rs.500

Number of Equity Shareholders (N) 5,00,000

Fixed Expenses (F) = Rs.9,00,000

Interest (I) = Rs.75,000

Preference Dividend (Dp) Rs.50,000

Corporate Tax (T) = 50%

= 3.53 DTL = DOL x DFL

- 2.5x1.41 -3.53

Thus, when the output is 5,000 units, a one percent change in Q will result in 3.5% change in EPS.

Applications and Utility of Total Leverage

Before understanding what application the total leverage has in the financial analysis of a company, let us make 188

a few more observations by studying its behavior. Let us calculate the overall break-even point and the DTL for the various levels of Q, given the following information:

F = Rs.8,00,000

I = Rs.80,000

Dp = Rs.60,000

S = Rs. 1,000

V = Rs.600

The overall break-even point is that level of output at which the DTL will be undefined and EPS is equal to zero. This level of output can be calculated as follows:

= [8,00,000 + 80,000 + 60,0007(1- 0.5)]/ (1,000 - 600)

= 2,500.

Thus, the overall break-even point is at 2500 units. Calculating DTL for various levels of output with the given information:

Q DTL1000 -0.672000 -4.002500 QO3000 6.005000 2.00

The following observations can be made from the above calculations:

• There is a unique DTL for every level of output.• At the overall break-even point of output the DTL is undefined.• If the level of output is less than the overall break-even point, then the DTL will be negative.• If the level of output is greater than the overall break-even point, then the DTL will be positive, DTL

decreases as Q increases and reaches a limit of 1.

Further, the DTL has the following applications in analyzing the financial performance of a company:

1. Measures changes in EPS: DTL measures the changes in EPS to a percentage change in Q. Thus, the percentage change in EPS can be easily assessed as the product of DTL and the percentage change in Q. For example, if DTL for Q of 3000 units is 6 and there is a 10% increase in Q, the affect on EPS is 60%.

Percentage change in EPS = DTL (Q = 3,000) x Percent change in Q = 6x10% = 60%

2. Measures Total Risk: DTL measures the total risk of the company since it is a measure of both operating risk and total risk. Thus, by measuring total risk, it measures the variability of EPS for a given error in forecasting Q.

APPRAISAL CRITERIA

Having defined the costs and the benefits associated with a project, we are now ready to examine whether the project is financially desirable or not. A number of criteria have been evolved for evaluating the financial desirability of a project. These criteria can be classified as follows:

Figure 8.2

189

Payback Period

The payback period measures the length of time required to recover the initial outlay in the project. For example, if a project with a life of 5 years involves an initial outlay of Rs.20 lakh and is expected to generate a constant annual inflow of Rs.8 lakh, the payback period of the project = 20/8 = 2.5 years. On the other hand if the project is expected to generate annual inflows of, say Rs.4 lakh, Rs.6 lakh, Rs.10 lakh, Rs.12 lakh and Rs.14 lakh over the 5 year period the payback period will be equal to 3 years because the sum of the cash inflows over the first three years is equal to the initial outlay.

In order to use the payback period as a decision rule for accepting or rejecting the projects, the firm has to decide upon an appropriate cut-off period. Projects with payback periods less than or equal to the cut-off period will be accepted and others will be rejected. The payback period is a widely used investment appraisal criterion for the following reasons:

• It is simple in both concept and application;

• It helps in weeding out risky projects by favoring only those projects which generate substantial inflows in earlier years.

The payback period criterion however suffers from the following serious shortcomings:

It fails to consider the time value of money, the importance of which has already been discussed at length.

• The cut-off period is chosen rather arbitrarily and applied uniformly for evaluating projects regardless of their life spans. Consequently the firm may accept too many short-lived projects and too few long-lived ones.

• Since the application of the payback criterion leads to discrimination against projects which generate substantial cash inflows in later years, the criterion cannot be considered as a measure of profitability.

To incorporate the time value of money in the calculation of payback period some firms compute what is called the "discounted payback period". In other words, these firms discount the cash flows before they compute the payback period. For instance if a project involves an initial outlay of Rs.10 lakh, and is expected to generate a net annual inflow of Rs.4 lakh for the next 4 years, the discounted pay back will be that value of 'n' for which

4xPVIFA(12,n)-10 ......(1)

Assuming the cost of funds to be 12 percent.

Equation (1) can be re-written as

PVIFA(12, n) = 2.5

From PVIFA Tables, we find that

PV1FA (32,3) = 2.402

PVIFA (12,4) = 3.037

Therefore, 'n' lies between 3 and 4 years and is approximately equal to 3.15 years. We find the discounted pay back period is longer than the undiscounted pay back period which will be 2.5 years in this case.

Evaluating the discounted pay back period as an appraisal criterion, we find it to be a whisker better than the

190

undiscounted pay back period. It considers the time value of money and thereby does not give an equal weight to all flows before the cut-off date. But it still suffers from the other shortcomings of the pay back period. This criterion also depends on the choice of an arbitrary cut-off date and ignores all cash flows after that date. In practice, companies do not give much importance to the payback period as an appraisal criteria.

Accounting Rate of Return

Trie accounting rate of return or the book rate of return is typically defined as follows:

Accounting Rate of Return (ARR) = Average Profit After Tax/Average book value of the investment.

To use it as an appraisal criterion, the ARR of a project is compared with the ARR of the firm as a whole or against some external yard-stick like the average rate of return for the industry as a whole. To illustrate the computation of ARR consider a project with the following data:

(Amount in Rs.)

Year 0 1 2 3Investment Sales Revenue (90000) 120000 100000 80000Operating expenses (excluding depreciation)

60000 50000 40000

depreciation 30000 30000 30000Annual Income 30000 20000 10000

The firm will accept the project if its target average rate of return is lower than 44 percent.

As an investment appraisal criterion, ARR has the following merits:

• Like payback criterion, ARR is simple both in concept and application. It appeals to businessmen who find the concept of rate of return familiar and easy to work with rather than absolute quantities.

• It considers the returns over the entire life of the project and therefore serves as a measure of profitability (unlike the payback period which is only a measure of capital recovery).

This criterion, however, suffers from several serious defects. First, this criterion ignores the time value of money. Put differently, it gives no allowance for the fact that immediate receipts are more valuable than the distant flows and results giving too much weight to the more distant flows. Second, the ARR depends on accounting income and not on the cash flows. Since cash flows and accounting income are often different and investment appraisal emphasizes cash flows, a profitability measure based on accounting income cannot be used as a reliable investment appraisal criterion. Finally, the firm using ARR as an appraisal criterion must decide on a yard-stick for judging a project and this decision is often arbitrary. Often firms use their current book-return as the yard-stick for comparison. In such cases if the current book return of a firm tends to be unusually high or low, then the firm can end up rejecting good projects or accepting bad projects.

Net Present Value (NPV)

We have already discussed the concept of present value and the method of computing the present value in the chapter on time value of money. The net present value is equal to the present value of future cash flows and any immediate cash outflow. In the case of a project, the immediate cash flow will be investment (cash outflow) and the net present value will be therefore equal to the present value of future cash inflows minus the initial investment. The following illustration illustrates this point.

Illustration 8.2

191

Consider the project described in illustration 8.3. Compute the net present value of the project, if the cost of funds to the firm is 12 percent.

Solution

The net cash flows of the project and their present values are as follows:

Year 1 2 3 4Net cash flow (Rs.) 5100 5100 5100 7100

PVIF@k-12% 0.893 0.797 0.712 0.636Present value (Rs.) 4554 4065 3631 4516

Net present value

- (-12,500) + (4,554 + 4,065 + 3,631 f 4,516) = Rs. (-12,500+ 16,766) = Rs.4,266

The decision rule based on the NPV criterion is obvious. A project will be accepted if its NPV is positive and rejected if its NPV is negative. Rarely in real life situations, we encounter a project with NPV exactly equal to zero. If it happens, theoretically speaking, the decision-maker is supposed to be either indifferent in accepting or rejecting the project. But in practice, NPV in the neighborhood of zero, calls for a close review of the projections made in respect of such parameters that are critical to the viability of the project because even minor adverse variations can mar the viability of such marginally viable projects.

The NPV is a conceptually sound criterion of investment appraisal because it takes into account the time value of money and considers the cash flow stream in its entirety. Since net present value represents the contribution to the wealth of the shareholders, maximizing NPV is congruent with the objective of investment decision making viz., maximization of shareholders' wealth. The only problem in applying this criterion appears to be the difficulty in comprehending the concept per se. Most non-financial executives and businessmen find 'Return on Capital Employed' or 'Average Rate of Return' easy to interpret compared to absolute values like the NPV.

Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR)

The benefit-cost ratio (or the Profitability Index) is defined as follows:

where

BCR = Benefit Cost Ratio

PV = Present Value of Future Cash Flows

and = Initial Investment

A variant of the benefit-cost ratio is the net benefit-cost ratio (NBCR) which is defined as:

The BCR and NBCR for the project described in illustration 18.4 will be: BCR -16,766/12,500 =1.34 NBCR = 4,266/12,500 = 0.34

The decision-rules based on the BCR (or alternatively the NBCR) criterion will be as follows:

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If Decision Rule

BCR > 1 (NBCR > 0) Accept the project BCR < 1 (NBCR < 0) Reject the project

Since the BCR measures the present value per rupee of outlay, it is considered to be a useful criterion for ranking a set of projects in the order of decreasingly efficient use of capital. But there are two serious limitations inhibiting the use of this criterion. First, it provides no means for aggregating several smaller projects into a package that can be compared with a large project. Second, when the investment outlay is spread over more than one period, this criterion cannot be used. The following illustration illustrates the first limitation.

Illustration 8.3

Zeta Limited is considering 4 projects - A, B, C, and D with the following characteristics:

Initial Investment Annual Net Cash

(Year 0) Flow (Years 1 to 5)

A (20) 7.5

B (4.5) 1 S 1.3

C (7) 2.5

D (8) 3.5

The funds available for investment are limited to Rs.20 lakh and the cost of funds to the firm is 14 percent. Rank the 4 projects in terms of the NPV and BCR criteria. Which project(s) will you recommend given the limited supply of funds?

Solution

The NPVs of the 4 projects are:

Project NPV(Rs, in lakh) Rank

A 7.5xPVIFA(I4,5) -20 =(7.5x3.433) -20 = 5.75 I

B (1,5x3.433) -4.5 = 0,65 IVC (2,5x3.433)- 7 = 1.58 IIID (3,5x3.433)- 8 -4.02 II

The BCR of the 4 projects are:

Project BCR Rank

A 25.75/20 = 1.27 IIB 5.15/4.5 = 1.14 IVC 8.58/7 = 1.23 IIID 12.02/8 = 1.50 I

Based on the NPV and BCR criteria, all 4 projects are acceptable because NPV is positive and BCR is greater

than one for each project. But all 4 projects cannot be taken by the firm because of the limited availability of

funds. Either Zeta has to accept project A or a package consisting of projects, B, C and D but not both. The

decision will depend upon which option maximizes the shareholders' wealth. In this sort of a decision-making

situation, the BCR becomes inapplicable because there is no way by which we can aggregate the BCRs of

projects B, C and D. On the other hand NPVs of projects B, C, and D can be aggregated and compared with the

NPV of project A to arrive at a decision.

NPV (B + C + D) = NPV (B) + NPV (C) + NPV (D) =0.65 + 1.58 + 4.02-6.25 which is more than NPV (A).

Therefore the package comprising projects B, C and D must be accepted.

Internal Rate of Return

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The internal rate of return is that rate of interest at which the net present value of a project is equal to zero, or in other words, it is the rate which equates the present value of the cash inflows to the present value of the cash outflows. While under NPV method the rate of discounting is known (the firm's cost of capital), under IRR this rate which makes NPV zero has to be found out. To illustrate this concept, let us consider the following illustration.

Illustration 8.4

A project has the following pattern of cash flows:

Year Cash flow (Rs. in lakh)

0 (10)

1 52 53 3.084 1.20

What is the IRR of this project?

Solution

To determine the IRR, we have to compute the NPV of the project for different rales of interest until we find that rale of interest at which the NPV of the project is equal to zero or sufficiently close to zero. To reduce the number of iterations involved in this trial and error process, we can use the following short-cut procedure:

Step 1

Find the average annual net cash flow based on the given future net cash flows. In our illustration, the average annual net cash flow will be equal to:

(5 + 5 + 3.08 + 1.20)74 = 3.57

Step 2

Divide the initial outlay by the average annual net cash flow i.e., 10/3.57 = 2.801

Step 3

From the PVIFA table find that interest rate at which the present value of an annuity of Re.l will be nearly equal to 2.801 in 4 years i.e., the duration of the project. In our case, this rate of interest will be equal to 15%.

We use 15% as the initial value for starting the trial and error process and keep trying at successively higher rates of interest until we get an interest rate at which the NPV is marginally above zero and an interest rate at which the NPV is marginally below zero. Now we know that IRR. lies between the two rates of interest and using a linear approximation, we can determine the approximate value of the IRR. In the case of our project,

the NPV at r - 15% will be equal to:

-10 + (5 x 0.870) + (5 x 0.756) + (3.08x0.658)+ (1.2x0.572) -0.84 NPV at r - 16% will be equal to:

-10 + (5 x 0.862) + (5 x 0.743) + (3.08 x 0.641) + (1.2x0.552)-0.66 NPV at r = 18% will be equal to:

-10 + (5+9/ x 0.848) + (5 x 0.719) + (3.08 x 0.609) + (1.20 x 0.516) -0.33

NPV at r - 20% will be equal to: -10 + (5 x 0,833) + (5 x 0.694) + (3.08 x 0.579) '+(1.20 x 0.482)-0

We find that at r - 20%, the NPV is zero and therefore the IRR of the project is 20%.

To use IRR as an appraisal criterion, we require information on the cost of capital or funds employed in the project. If we define IRR as 'r' and cost of funds employed as 'k', then the decision rule based on IRR will be: Accept the project if 'r1 is greater than k and reject the project if r is less than k. (If r = k, it is a matter of indifference).

194

IRR is a popular method of investment appraisal and has a number of merits like:

• It takes into account the time value of money.

• It considers the cash flow stream over the entire investment horizon.

• Like ARR, it makes sense to businessmen who prefer to think in terms of rate of return on capital employed.

This criterion however suffers from the following limitations:

IRR is uniquely defined only for a project whose cash flow pattern is characterized by cash outflow(s) followed by cash inflows (such projects are called simple investments). If the cash flow stream has one or more cash outflows interspersed with cash inflows, there can be multiple internal rates of return. This point can be clarified with the help of the following table no; 8.1 where four projects with different patterns of cash flows are given:

Table: 8.1

(Rs. in lakh)

Project Cash Flow Stream (Rs.)

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year3 Year 4A -20 5 10 15 15 B -10 -10 15 15 15 C -10 5 -10 20 20 D -10 15 10 -5 20

• Projects A and B are simple investments and therefore will have unique IKK values. But projects C and D can have multiple internal rates of return because their cash inflows and outflows are interspersed. For such projects, IRR cannot be a meaningful criterion of appraisal.

• The IRR criterion can be misleading when the decision-maker has to choose between mutually exclusive projects that differ significantly in terms of outlays.

In spite of these defects, IRR is still the best criterion today to appraise a project financially. Financial Institutions insist that projects having substantial outlay specially in the medium and large scale sectors must show the computation of IRR in the Detailed Project Report, which they appraise before sanctioning financial assistance.

Annual Capital Charge

This appraisal criterion is used for evaluating mutually exclusive projects or alternatives which provide similar service but have differing patterns of costs and often unequal life spans, e.g., choosing between fork-lift transportation and conveyor-belt transportation.

The steps involved in computing the annual capital charge are as follows:

Step 1

Determine the present value of the initial investment and operating costs using the cost of capital (k) as the discount rate.

Step 2

Divide the present value by PVIFA (k,n) where n represents the life span of the project. The quotient is defined as the annual capital charge or the equivalent annual cost. Once the annual capital charge for the various alternatives are defined, the alternative which has the minimum annual capital charge is selected.

Illustration 8.5

195

Hindustan Forge Limited is evaluating two alternative systems: A and B, for internal transportation. While the two systems serve the same purpose, system A has a life of 7 years and system B has a life of 5 years. The initial outlay and operating costs (in Rs.) associated with these systems are:

Year A B0 10,00,000 8,00,0001 1,00,000 75,0002 1,25,000 1,00,0003 1,50,000 1,20,0004 1,75,000 1,40,0005 2,00,000 1,00,0006 2,25,0007 2,00,000

Calculate the annual capital charge associated with these two systems, if the cost of capital is 12 percent. (You can assume that the net salvage values of the two systems at the end of their economic lives will be zero.)

Solution

Present value of costs associated with system A

- Rs.10,00,000 + (1,00,000 x 0.893) + (1,25,000 x 0.797) (1,50,000 x 0.712) + (1,75,000 x 0.636) + (2,00,000 x 0.567) + (2,25,000 x 0.507) + (2,00,000 x 0.452) = Rs.17,24,900

Annual capital charge associated with system A

Present value of costs associated with system B

= Rs.8,00,000 + (75,000 x 0.893) + (1,00,000 x 0.797) + (1,20,000 x 0.712) + (1,40,000 x 0.636) + (1,00,000 x 0.567) = Rs.l 1,77,855

Annual capital charge associated with system B

= Rs.3,26,728

Since the annual capital charge associated with system B is lower than that of system A, system B is preferred to system A.

A wide variety of measures are used in practice for appraising investments. But whatever method is used, the appraisal must be carried out in explicit, well-defined, preferably standardized terms and should be based on sound economic logic.

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Chapter 9Financial Ethics

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Is the goal of maximizing stock prices consistent or inconsistent with high standards of ethical behavior and social responsibility? It is most definitely consistent. Many socially responsible firms have created enormous value for their owners, and many unethical firms now are bankrupt.

Business Ethics

The word ethics is defined in Webster's dictionary as "standards of conduct or moral behavior." Business ethics can be thought of as a company's attitude and conduct to-1 ward its employees, customers, community, and stockholders. High standards of ethical behavior demand that a firm treat each party that it deals with in a fair and honest manner. A firm's commitment to business ethics can be measured by the tendency of the firm and its employees to adhere to laws and regulations relating to such factors as ! product safety and quality, fair employment practices, fair marketing and selling practices, the use of confidential information for personal gain, community involvement, bribery, and illegal payments to obtain business.

There are many instances of firms engaging in unethical behavior. For example, in recent years the employees of several prominent Wall Street investment banking houses have been sentenced to prison for illegally using insider information on pro-posed mergers for their own personal gain, and E. E Hutton, a large brokerage firm, lost its independence through a forced merger after it was convicted of cheating its banks out of millions of dollars in a check kiting scheme. Drexel Burnham Lambert, once the most profitable investment banking firm, went bankrupt, and its "junk bond king," Michael Milken, who had earned $550 million in just one year, was sentenced to ten years in prison plus charged a huge fine for securities-law violations. Another investment bank, Salomon Brothers, was implicated in a Treasury bond scandal that resulted in the firing of its chairman and other top officers.

These cases received a lot of notoriety, and they made people wonder about the ethics of business in general. However, the results of a recent study indicate that the executives of most major firms in the United States do try to maintain high ethical standards in all of their business dealings. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between ethics and long-run profitability. For example, Chase Bank suggested that ethical behavior has increased its profitability because such behavior helped it (1) avoid fines and legal expenses, (2) build public trust, (3) attract business from customers who appreciate and support its policies, (4) attract and keep employees of the highest caliber, and (5) support the economic viability of the communities in which it operates.

Most firms today have in place strong codes of ethical behavior, and they also conduct training programs designed to ensure that employees understand the correct behavior in different business situations. However, it is imperative that top management—the chairman, president, and vice-presidents—be openly committed to ethical behavior, and that they communicate this commitment through their own personal actions as well as through company policies, directives, and punishment/reward systems.

When conflicts arise between profits and ethics, sometimes the ethical considerations are so strong that they clearly dominate. However, in many cases the choice between ethics and profits is not clear cut. For example, suppose Norfolk Southern's managers know that its trains are polluting the air along its routes, but the amount of pollution is within, legal limits and preventive actions would be costly. Axe the managers ethically bound to reduce pollution? Similarly, suppose a medical products company's own research indicates that one of its new products may cause problems. However, the evidence is relatively weak, other evidence regarding benefits to patients is strong, and independent government tests show no adverse effects. Should the company make the potential problem known to the public? If it does release the negative (but questionable) information, this will hurt sales and profits, and possibly keep some patients who would benefit from the new product from using it. There are no obvious answers to questions such as these, but companies must deal with them on a regular basis, and a failure to handle the situation properly can lead to huge product liability suits and even to bankruptcy.

Social Responsibility

Another issue that deserves consideration is social responsibility: Should businesses operate strictly in their stockholders' best interests, or are firms also responsible for the welfare of their employees, customers, and the communities in which they operate? Certainly firms have an ethical responsibility to provide a safe working environment, to avoid polluting the air or water, and to produce safe products. However, socially responsible

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actions have costs, and not ail businesses would voluntarily incur all such costs. If some firms act in a socially responsible manner while others do not, then the socially responsible firms will be at a disadvantage in attracting capital. To illustrate, suppose all firms in a given industry have close to "normal" profits and rates of return on investment, that is, close to the average for all firms and just sufficient to attract capital. If one company attempts to exercise social responsibility, it will have to raise prices to cover the added costs. If other firms in its industry do not follow suit their costs and prices will be lower. The socially responsible firm will not be able to compete, and it will be forced to abandon its efforts. Thus, any voluntary socially re sponsible acts that raise costs will be difficult, if not impossible, in industries that are subject to keen competition.

What about oligopolistic firms with profits above normal levels—cannot such firms devote resources to social projects? Undoubtedly they can, and many large, sue cessful firms do engage in community projects, employee benefit programs, and the like to a greater degree than would appear to be called for by pure profit or weal™ maximization goals.4 Furthermore, many such firms contribute large sums to chari-ties. Still, publicly owned firms are constrained by capital market forces.

RATIO ANALYSIS

Ratios are well-known and most widely used tools of financial analysis. A ratio gives the mathematical relationship between one variable and another. Though the computation of a ratio involves only a simple arithmetic operation, its interpretation is a difficult exercise. The analysis of a ratio can disclose relationships as well as bases of comparison that reveal conditions and trends that cannot be detected by going through the individual components of the ratio. The usefulness of ratios ultimately depends on their intelligent and skillful interpretation.

Ratios are used by different people for various purposes. Ratio analysis mainly helps in valuing the firm in quantitative terms. If two groups of people are interested in the valuation of the firm and they are creditors and shareholders, creditors are again divided into short-term creditors and long-term creditors.

Short-term creditors hold obligations that will soon mature and they are concerned with the firm's ability to pay its bills promptly. In the short run, the amount of liquid assets determines the ability to clear off current liabilities. These persons are interested in liquidity. Long-term creditors hold bonds or mortgages against the firm and are interested in current payments of interest and eventual repayment of principal. The firm must be sufficiently liquid in the short-term and have adequate profits for the long-term. These persons examine liquidity and profitability.

In addition to liquidity and profitability, the owners of the firm (shareholders) are concerned about the policies of the firm that affect the market price of the firm's stock. Without liquidity, the firm cannot pay cash dividends. Without profits, the firm would not be able to declare dividends. With poor policies, the common stock would trade at low prices in the market.

Considering the above category of users financial ratios fall into three groups:

• Liquidity ratios• Profitability or efficiency ratios• Ownership ratios

Earnings ratio Dividend ratios - Leverage ratios

• Capital structure ratios• Coverage ratios

LIQUIDITY RATIOS

Liquidity implies a firm's ability to pay its debts in the short run. This ability can be measured by the use of liquidity ratios. Short-term liquidity involves the relationship between current assets and current liabilities. If a firm has sufficient net working capital (excess of current assets over current liabilities) it is assumed to have enough liquidity. The current ratio and the quick ratio are the two ratios, which directly measure liquidity. The ratios like receivables turnover ratios and inventory turnover ratios indirectly measure the liquidity.

Current Ratio

The liquidity ratio is denned as;

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Current assets include cash, marketable securities, debtors, inventories, loans and advances, and pre-paid expenses. Current liabilities include loans and advances taken, trade creditors, accrued expenses, and provisions.

From the balance sheet data given in table 6.1 for the year 5, the current ratio for the year 5 can be calculated as:

Current ratio =

= 121.1

36.6

As the current ratio measures the ability of the enterprise to meet its current obligations, a current ratio of 3.31: 1 implies that the firm has current assets which are 3.31 times the current liabilities. A current ratio of 3.31 is considered to be healthy by normal standards which is 2:1.

In the operating cycle of the firm current assets are converted into cash to provide funds for the payment of current liabilities. So higher the current ratio, higher the short-term liquidity. But in interpreting the current ratio care should be taken in looking into the composition of current assets. A firm which has a large amount of cash and accounts receivable is more liquid than a firm with a high amount of inventories in its current assets, though both the firms may have the same current ratio. To overcome this a more stringent form of liquidity ratio referred to as quick ratio can be calculated.

Quick Ratio

Quick-test (also known as acid-test ratio) is defined as:

Quick Assets Current Liabilities

Current Assets - Inventotries Current Liabilities

The quick ratio is a more stringent measure of liquidity because inventories, which are least liquid of current assets, are excluded from the ratio. Inventories have to go through a two-step process of first being sold and converted into receivables and secondly collected. The quick test is so named because it gives the abilities of the firm to pay its liabilities without relying on the sale and recovery of its inventories.

Quick ratio of Rainbow-chem Industries for the year 5 is calculated as:

From the above figures, we can infer that as the proportion of inventories in total current assets is 3S.23%, and the liquidity ratio of the firm decreased from 3.31 to 2.04. Though there is no standard with which the ratio can be compared, normally ratios are compared with the industry figures in the absence of predetermined standards. In the above case, the quick ratio for the industry (dyes and pigments) is 2.26. As the quick ratio is below the industry average, we can conclude that the liquidity position is below average though the current ratio gives a different picture.

Limitations of the Current and Quick Ratios

The current ratio is a static or stock concept of what resources are available at a given moment in time to meet the obligations at that moment. The ratio has limitations in the following aspects:1. Measuring and predicting the future fund flows.2. Measuring the adequacy of future fund inflows in relation to outflows.

The existing pool of net funds does not have a logical or causative relationship to the future funds that will flow through it. Yet it is the future flows that are the subject of our greatest interest in the assessment of liquidity. These flows depend importantly on elements not included in the ratio, such as sales, cash costs and expenses, profits, and changes in business conditions. This concept will be clear when the study of funds flow analysis is done.

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Bank Finance to Working Capital Gap Ratio

Where working capital gap is equal to current assets less current liabilities other than bank borrowings.

This ratio shows us the degree of the firm's reliance on short-term bank finance for financing the working capital gap.

Turnover Ratios

Receivables turnover ratios and inventory turnover ratios measure the liquidity of a firm in an indirect way. Here the measure of liquidity is concerned with the speed with which inventory is converted into sales and accounts receivables converted into cash. The turnover ratios give the speed of conversion of current assets (liquidity) into cash as shown above,

Two ratios are used to measure the liquidity of a firm's account receivables. They are:

a. Accounts receivable turnover ratiob. Average collection period

Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio

The average accounts receivable is obtained by adding the beginning receivables of the period and the ending receivable, and dividing the sum by two. The sales figure in the numerator is only credit sales, because firm cash sales don't give any receivables. As the publicly available information on the firm, may not disclose the credit sales details, the analyst in the external environment has to assume that cash sales are insignificant. Normally the receivables ratios are useful for internal analysis.

Higher the receivables turnover ratio, greater the liquidity of the firm. However, care should be taken to see that to project higher receivables turnover ratio, the firm does follow a strict credit policy.

The accounts receivables position of the Rainbow-chem Industries for two years is as follows:

Sundry debtors more than 6 months

Year 5 Year 404.19 01.31

Other debtors 45.66 35.99

Prov. for doubtful debts. Total Debtors

00.00 00.00

49.85 37.30

Average accounts receivables (49.85 + 37.30)72

43.58 Average receivables turnover 261/43.58

5.99(6Approx.)

Turnover ratio gives, how many times on an average the receivables are generated and collected during the year. In our case, the average receivables turnover ratios of 6 indicates that on an average receivables are revolved 6 times during the year. When we compare this with the industry of 5.16 times, we can say that the firm's liquidity of accounts receivables is on average 16.28% more than the industry.

Average Collection Period

One can get a sense of the speed of collections from receivables turnover ratio and it is valuable for comparison purposes, but we cannot directly compare it with the terms of trade usually given by the firm. For example, the firm may be having a policy of giving certain percent of discount if the debtor pays in certain period of time. Such comparison is best made by converting the turnover into days of sales tied up in

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receivables.

The ratio that gives the above comparison is average collection period, which is defined as the number of days it takes to collect accounts receivable. It can be obtained by dividing 360 by the average receivables turnover ratio calculated above. That is,

For Rainbow-chem Industries, assuming that there is only one sundry debtor the average collection period is equal to 60 days (360/6). If the firm is having a credit policy of giving substantial discounts if the receivables are collected within 30 days, the debtor will not be able to avail the discounts. If we compare the above with the industry figure (i.e. 360/5.16 = 69.76 days), the firm is having above average collection period.

Evaluation

Accounts receivable turnover rates or collection periods can be compared to industry averages or to the credit terms granted by the firm to find out whether customers are paying on time. If the terms, for example say the average collection period is 30 days and the realized average collection period is 60 days, it could reflect the following:

1. Collection job is poor.2. In spite of careful collection efforts difficulty in obtaining prompt payments.3. Customers facing financial problems.

The first conclusion requires remedial managerial action, while the second and third conclusions convey the quality and liquidity of the accounts receivables.

Inventory Turnover

The liquidity of a firm's inventory may be calculated by dividing the cost of goods sold by the firm's inventory. The inventory turnover, or stock turnover, measures how fast the inventory is moving through the firm and generating sales. Inventory turnover can be defined as:

Higher the ratio, greater the efficiency of inventory management. The importance of inventory turnover can also be looked from a different point of view i.e. it helps the analyst measure the adequacy of goods available to sell in comparison to the actual sales orders.

In this regard, the presence of inventory involves two risks:

1. Running out of stock due to low inventory (high turnover) which may indicate future shortages.2. Excessive carrying charges, because of high inventory (low turnover).

One has to manage carefully between running out of goods to sell and investing in excessive inventory otherwise it will result in either a high or low ratio, which may be an indication of poor management. The analyst should keep in mind that high and low turnovers are relative in nature. The current turnover must be compared to previous periods or to some industry norms before it is designated as high, low, or normal. The nature of the business should also be considered in analyzing the appropriateness of the size and turnover of the inventory. For example, a manufacturing firm which has to import its key raw materials is justified in keeping high inventory of raw materials if it finds out that its base currency has been depreciating against the exporting country's currency consistently. In this case, high inventory is kept if the cost of imported raw materials because of depreciation is more than the cost of storage.

In the case of Rainbow-chem Industries the inventory turnover could be calculated as follows. First for getting the cost of goods sold, we have to add all the expenses in the profit and loss account including depreciation charges and excluding interest expenses. Average inventory can be obtained by adding the closing inventory (Year 5) and the opening inventory (Year 4) and dividing them by two.

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The average industry inventory turnover is 4.3. A meaningful conclusion about the inventory turnover can be arrived after studying its composition, its change over the years and comparing the turnover trends with the industry.

Table 9.1 Trend Analysis of Inventory Composition

Inventory composition

Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1

Raw materials 13.99 (30.22) 12.28 (30.34) 6.18(17.73) 11.28(31.75) 13.83 (33.57)

Work-in-progress 14.42 (31.14) 14.87 (36.73) 12.37(35.47) 12.22(34.39) 12.79(31.04)Finished goods Total 17.89 (38.64) 13.33(32.93) 1632 (46,80) 12.03 (33.86) 14.58 (35.39)

46,30 (100) 40.48 (100) 34.87 (100) 35.53 (100) 41.2(100)

Table 9.2

Inventory turnover ratio Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2

Rainbow-chem Industries Ltd. 5.63 5.25 4.69 3.10

Dyes & Pgrrt. Industry 4.31 4.40 4.28 3.87

Table 9.3 Growth Rates

Items Year 5 Year 4 Year 3

Sales (Rainbow-chera) 21.72 18.26 16.52

Inventory (Rainbow-chem) 14.37 16.08 -9.80

Sales (Industry) 21.42 12.63 17.42

Inventory (Industry) 23.65 7.67 6.14

Table 9.3 Overall Liquidity Position

Ratios Definition Rainbow-chem Ltd.

Dyes & Pigm Ind.

Liquidity or Current Ratio Current Assets 3.31 3.53

Current Liabilities

Quick Ratio Current Assets - Inventory 2,04 2.26

Current Liabilities

Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio

Net Credit Sales 5.99 5.16 Average Accounts

Receviable Average Collection Period 360 60 70

Accounts Receivables /Turnover

Inventory Turnover Cost of Goods Sold 5,63 4.31

Average Inventory

From the above table, it can be noticed that the Rainbow-chem's current and quick ratios are just below the average industry figures, and receivables turnover ratios are above the industry averages to an extent. Inventory turnover is in a better position compared to the industry which is concluded in the overall analysis of inventory turnover in the respective section.

In conclusion, the liquidity position of the Rainbow-chem Industries Ltd. can be said to be above average.

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PROFITABILITY OR EFFICIENCY RATIOS

These measure the efficiency of the firm's activities and its ability to generate profits. There are two types of profitability ratios.

1. Profits in Relation to Sales: It is important from the profit standpoint that the firm be able to generate adequate profit on each unit of sales. If sales lack a sufficient margin of profit, it is difficult for the firm to cover its fixed charges on debt and to earn a profit for shareholders. Two popular ratios in this category are gross profit margin ratio, and net profit margin ratio.

2. Pro/its in Relation to Assets: It is also important that profit be compared to the capital invested by owners and creditors. If the firm cannot produce a satisfactory profit on its asset base, it might be misusing its assets. They are also referred to as rate of return ratios and some of them are asset turnover ratio, earning power and return on equity.

Gross Profit Margin Ratio

The gross profit margin ratio (GPM) is defined as:

where net sales = Sales - Excise duty

This ratio shows the profits relative to sales after the direct production costs are deducted. It may be used as an indicator of the efficiency of the production operation and the relation between production costs and selling price. GPM for Rainbow-chem Industries is calculated as:

GPM for industry is 10.60% which is less than GPM of Rainbow-chem Industries.

Net Profit Margin Ratio

The net profit margin ratio is defined as:

This ratio shows the earnings left for shareholders (both equity and preference) as a percentage of net sales. It measures the overall efficiency of production, administration, selling, financing, pricing, and tax management. Jointly considered, the gross and net profit margin ratios provide the analyst available tool to identify the sources of business efficiency/inefficiency.

- 6.92% NPM for industry = 6.39%

In comparison with the industry net profit, margin ratio is just above the average percentage figure. Had this been below the industry average, it would have indicated some mismanagement in the areas excluding production (as GPM is in line with the industry). Specific area could have been investigated by taking all the aspects and analyzing respectively.

Asset Turnover

It highlights the amount of assets that the firm used to generate its total sales. The ability to generate a large volume of sales on a small asset base is an important part of the firm's profit picture. Idle or improperly used assets increase the firm's need tor costly financing and the expenses for maintenance and upkeep. By achieving a high asset turnover, a firm reduces costs and increases the eventual profit to its owners.

Asset turnover ratio is defined as:203

Average assets is calculated by adding the opening stock of assets (previous year's closing stock of assets) and closing stock of assets of the present year.

Asset turnover for Rainbow-chem

Industry asset turnover is 1.15. An asset turnover ratio of 1.49 indicates the firm with an asset base of 1 unit could produce 1.49 units of sales. This is a healthy both in absolute terms and also in comparison with the industry as the turnover of the industry is only 1.15.

Earning Power

Earning power is a measure of operating profitability and it is defined as:

The earning power is a measure of the operating business performance which is not effected by interest charges and tax payments. As it does not consider the effects of financial structure and tax rate it is well suited for inter-firm comparisons.

Rambow-chem s earning power =

1758 - 17.58 % Inter-firm comparisons earning power percentages

Company Year 5 Earning power Rainbow-chem Industries 17.58%Atul Products 13.76%Indian Dyestuff 16.18%Mardia Chem 17.34%Sudarshan Chem 13,33%Industry (dyes & pigm (large)) 16.29%

From the table, we can conclude that Rainbow-chem tops the industry with a percentage of 17.58%, whereas the average is only 16.29%. Rainbow-chem is operationally very efficient in comparison to all the players in the industry.

Return on Equity

The return on equity (ROE) is an important profit indicator to shareholders of the firm. It is calculated by the formula:

Net income denotes profit after tax (PAT) and average equity is obtained by taking the average equities of year 5 and year 4. The return on equity measures the profitability of equity funds invested in the firm. It is regarded as a very important measure because it reflects the productivity of capital employed in the firm. It is influenced by several factors: earning power, debt-equity ratio, average cost of debt funds, and tax rate.

Return on equity for the industry is 13.18%. The firm s healthiness in this respect also can be easily seen from

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the differences in returns of equity. Rainbow-chem is giving 20.68% return to the equity holders, whereas the industry is giving only 13.18%.'Thus, we can conclude that Rainbow-chem has employed it resources productively.

Overall Profitability (Efficiency) Analysis

Rainbow-chem's profitability ratios are summarized in the following table against the industry.

Ratios Rainbow-chem Ltd. Dyes & Pigm Ind.Gross Profit Margin 22.69% 10.60% Net Profit Margin 6.92% 6.39% Asset Turnover 1 ,49% 1.25% Return on Equity 20.68% 13.80% Earning Power 17.58% 34.12%

As mentioned in the beginning of this section, profitability is analyzed in two respects. That is in relation to sales and in relation to assets. The above table conveys that, Rainbow-chem Industries is able to generate profits in relation to sales on an average scale, but in respect of efficient application of assets it performs well above the average. This indicates that some remedial measures have to be taken from the sales' point of view.

OWNERSHIP RATIOS

Ownership ratios will help the stockholder to analyze his present and future investment in a firm. Stockholders (owners) are interested to know how the value of their holdings are affected by certain variables. Ownership ratios compare the investment value with factors such as debt, earnings, dividends and the stock's market price. By understanding the liquidity and profitability ratios, one can gain insights into the soundness of the firm's business activities, whereas by analyzing the ownership ratios, the analyst is able to assess the likely future value of the market.

Ownership ratios are divided into three main groups. They are;

1. Earnings Ratios2. Leverage Ratios

- Capital Structure Ratios- Coverage Ratios

3. Dividend Ratios.

1. Earnings Ratios

The earnings ratios are earnings per share (EPS), price-earnings ratio (P/E ratio), and capitalization ratio. From earnings ratios we can get information on earnings of the firm and their effect on price of common stock. In the following paragraphs we will discuss the above ratios in detail.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Shareholders are concerned about the earnings of the firm in two ways. One is availability of funds with the firm to pay their dividends and the other to expand their interest in the firm with the retained earnings. These earnings are expressed on a per share basis which is in short called EPS, EPS is calculated by dividing the net income by the number of shares outstanding. Mathematically, it is calculated as follows:

Earning per share (EPS)

A cross-sectional and year-to-year analysis (will be discussed in later sections in detail) can be very informative to the analyst. As an example let us take two firms Atul Products and Rainbow-chem Industries in the Dyes & Pigm. (large) industries. Assuming the market price of each stock as Rs.50 per share, the earnings trend for the two firms is as follows:

Firm Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Atul Products (EPS) 5.97 8.18 5,15 7.96 12.16

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Rainbow-chem (EPS) 13.68 12.81 8.98 6.70 5.24

From the above table, it can be easily understood that the Rainbow-chem Industries began at a low EPS of Rs.5.24 per share but steadily progressed and nearly tripled its EPS in 5 years. Whereas, Atul Products started at a high EPS of Rs.12.16 per share but in 5 years declined up to Rs.5.97 per share. The trends of the two earnings streams appear to forecast a brighter future for Rainbow-chem Industries than for Atul Products. If we go further into the reasons behind this performance of Atul Products, we can find that over the years, the share capital of Atul products has increased without proportionate increase in the net income. We will get an even more clear picture if we compare all the players in the industry.

PRICE-EARNINGS RATIO

The price-earnings ratio (also P/E multiple) is calculated by taking the market price of the stock and dividing it by earnings per share.

This ratio gives the relationship between the market price of the stock and its earnings by revealing how earnings affect the market price of the firm's stock. If a stock has a low P/E multiple, for example 3/1, it may be considered as an undervalued stock. If the ratio is 80/1, it may be viewed as overvalued. It is the most popular financial ratio in the stock market for secondary market investors. The P/E ratio method is useful as long as the firm is a viable business entity, and its real value is reflected in its profits.

The P/E multiples for Rainbow-chem Industries is calculated as follows:

Table 9.4

Year5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1

Share price 425 450 130 240 80

EPS 13.68 12.81 8.98 6.70 5.24

P/E 31.06 35.12 14.47 35.82 15.26

The main use of P/E ratio is it helps to determine the expected market value of a stock. For example, one firm A may be having a P/E of 5/1 and another firm B of 9/1. If we assume the average industry P/E and EPS as 7/1, Rs.3 respectively and earning per shares of both the firms as Rs.3, we will get the following results.

Market value of industry =7x3=21 Market value of firm A =5x3 = 15 Market value of firm B =9x3=27

THE CAPITALIZATION RATE

The P/E ratio also may be used to calculate the rate of return investors expect before they purchase a stock. The reciprocal of the P/E ratio, i.e. (market price/EPS) gives this return. For example, if a stock has Rs.12 EPS and sells for Rs.100, the marketplace expects a return of 12/100, i.e. 12 percent. This is called the stock's capitalization rate. A 12 percent capitalization implies that the firm is required to earn 12 percent on the common stock value. If the investors require less than 12% return they will pay more for the stock and capitalization rate would drop.

Capitalization rate

Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1

0.032 0.028 0.069 0.0279 0.0655

For Rainbow-chem Industries, rates are very low because of very high prices in comparison to earning per shares.2. Leverage Ratios

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When we extend the analysis to the long-term solvency of a firm we have two types of leverage ratios. They are structural ratios and coverage ratios. Structural ratios are based on the proportions of debt and equity in the capital structure of the firm, whereas coverage ratios are derived from the relationships between debt servicing commitments and sources of funds for meeting these obligations.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE RATIOS

Various capital structure ratios are: Debt-equity ratio. Debt-assets ratio.

Debt-equity Ratio

The debt-equity ratio which indicates the relative contributions of creditors and owners can be defined as:

Depending on the type of the business and the patterns of cash flows the components in debt to equity ratio will vary. Normally the debt component includes all liabilities including current. And the equity component consists of net worth and preference capital. It includes only the preference shares not redeemable in one year. The ratio of long-term debt (total debt-current liabilities) to equity could also be used, but what is important is that consistency is followed when comparisons are made.

For Rainbow-chem Industries the debt-equity ratio is

In the above case the debt-equity ratio stood as 1.33, which implies that the debt portion is more than equity. The debt-equity ratio of the dyes & pigments industry on average is 1.424. In the manufacturing industry a debt-equity ratio of 1.5:1 is considered to be healthy. By normal standards and also the industry's the debt-equity ratio is within the limits. In the heavy engineering industries, petroleum industries, infrastructure industries like railways, airways the ratio may even go more than 3:1 as the capital outlays required are in very huge sums.

In general, the lower the debt-equity ratio, the higher the degree of protection felt by the lenders. One of the limitations of the above ratio is that the computation of the ratios is based on book value, as it is sometimes useful to calculate these ratios using market values. At the time of mergers and acquisitions or rehabilitation operations the valuation of the equity and debt will be affected by the basis of computation. For example, a sick company whose equity is initially valued at book values may be a healthy one if its assets are valued at market prices if it has large land property in its books.

The debt-equity ratio indicates the relative proportions of capital contribution by creditors and shareholders. It is used as a screening device in the financial analysis. While analyzing the financial condition of a firm, when the debt-equity ratio is less than 0.50, the analyst can go to other critical areas of analysis. But an analysis reveals that debt is a significant amount in the total capitalization if further investigation is undertaken which will throw light on firm's financial condition, results of operations and future prospects. This way, analysis of debt-equity ratio has a very important position in the financial analysis of any firm.

Debt-Asset Ratio

The above ratio measures the extent to which borrowed funds support the firm's assets. It is defined as:

The composition of debt portion is same as in the debt-equity ratio.

The denominator in the ratio is total of all assets as indicated in the balance sheet. The type of assets an organization employs in its operations should determine to some extent the sources of funds used to finance them. It is usually held that fixed and other long-term assets should not be financed by means of short-term loans. In fact, the most appropriate source of funds for investment in such kind of assets is equity capital, though financially very sound organization may go for debt finance.

Rainbow-chem's debt-asset ratio for the year 5 is:

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= 0.57

A debt-asset ratio of 0.57 implies that 57% of the total assets are financed from debt sources. When we compare this with the industry average debt-asset ratio of (0.69), we find that the firm is having a lower leverage compared to the industry.

There are two major uses of capital structure ratios:

1. To Measure Financial Risk: One measure of the degree of risk resulting from debt financing is provided by these ratios. If the firm has been increasing the percentage of debt in its capital structure over a period of time, this may indicate an increase in risk for its long-term finance providers. As the debt content increases most of firm's income will go for servicing the debt and net income will be reduced. This will affect the long-term earnings prospects of the company as less funds are reemployed because of increased debt servicing burden.

2. To Identify Sources of Funds: The firm finances all its requirements either from debt or equity sources. Depending on the risk of different types the amount of requirements from each source is shown by these ratios.

3. To Forecast Borrowing Prospects: If the firm is considering expansion and needs to raise additional money, the capital structure ratios offer an indication of whether debt funds could be used. If the ratios are too high, the firm may not be able to borrow,

Ratios

Coverage ratios give the relationship between the financial charges of a firm and its ability to service them. Important coverage ratios are interest coverage ratio, fixed charges coverage ratio and debt-service coverage ratio.

Funds available to meet an obligation Amount of that obligation

COVERAGE RATIOS Interest Coveragerage Ratio

One measure of a firm's ability to handle financial burdens is the interest coverage ratio, also referred to as the times interest-coverage ratio. This ratio tells us how many times the firm can cover or meet the interest payments associated with debt.

For Rainbow-chem Industries it is equal to

The greater the interest coverage ratio, the higher the ability of the firm to pay its interest expense. An interest coverage ratio of 4 means that the firm's earnings before interest and taxes are four times greater than its interest payments.

FIXED CHARGES COVERAGE RATIO

Interest coverage ratio considers the coverage of interest of pure debt only. Fixed charges coverage ratio measures debt servicing ability comprehensively because it considers all the interest, principal repayment obligations, lease payments and preference dividends. This ratio shows how many times the pre-tax operating income covers all fixed financing charges.

It is defined as:

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Fixed charges that are not tax deductible must be tax adjusted. This is done by increasing them by an amount equivalent to the sum that would be required to obtain an after-tax income sufficient to cover such fixed charges. In the above ratio, preference-stock dividend requirement is one example of such non-tax deductible fixed charges. To get the gross amount of preference dividends, it has to be divided by the factor (1 - tax rate). For Rainbow-chem Industries the fixed charges coverage ratio is calculated for the year 5 as follows:

For Rainbow-chem there are no lease rental payments and preference dividend payments. The loan repayment has been assumed to be Rs.7.37 crore. The fixed charges coverage ratio of 1.92 indicates that its pre-tax operating income is 1.92 times all fixed financial obligations,

DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE RATIO

Normally used by term-lending financial institutions in India, the debt service coverage ratio, which is a post-tax coverage is defined as:

For Rainbow-chem Industries the debt service coverage ratio for the year 1995-96 is:

A DSCR of 1.89 indicates the firm has post-tax earnings which are 1.89 times the total obligations (interest and loan repayment) in the particular year to the financial institution.

3. Dividend Ratios

The common stockholder is very much concerned about the firm's policy regarding the payment of cash dividends. If the firm is not paying enough dividends the stock may not be attractive to those who are interested in current income from their investment in the company. If the firm is paying excessive dividends, it may not be retaining adequate funds to finance future growth. So depending on the shareholder's aspirations a firm must formulate its dividend policy in a balanced way.

The firm must be liquid and profitable to pay consistent and adequate dividends. Without profits, the firm will not have sufficient resources to give dividends, without liquidity the firm cannot get cash to pay the dividends. In the above respects, two dividend ratios are important. They are dividend pay-out ratio and dividend yield ratio.

3. DIVIDEND PAY-OUT RATIO

This is the ratio of dividend per share (DPS) to earnings per share (EPS). It indicates what percentage of total earnings are paid to shareholders. The percentage of the earnings that is not paid out (1 - dividend pay-out) is retained for the firm's future needs. There is no guideline as to what percentage of earnings should be declared as dividends and it varies according to firm's fund requirements to support its operations. If the firm is in need of funds, then it may cut the dividends in relation to earnings and on the other hand if the firm finds that it lacks opportunities to use the firms generated, it might increase the dividends. But in both the cases, consistency of dividend payment is important to the shareholders.

DIVIDEND YIELD

This is the ratio of dividends per share (DPS) to market price of the share.

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This ratio gives current return on his investment. This is mainly of interest to the investors who are desirous of getting income from dividends. No dividend yield exists for firms which do not declare dividends.

Financial Ethics

Ethical conduct lies at the core of all businesses. Cases of wrong doing in business are not confined to particular industries and occur almost across the board. However, companies are entrusted with an extraordinary responsibility: managing other people's money. This basic fiduciary duty required is that the financial managers on behalf of the company serve the interests of the clients not as a by-product, but as an end in itself. And, the satisfaction of their self-interest is obtained as a by-product of a proper discharge of that responsibility.

Ethical codes of conduct come into picture where regulations end. Because regulations are often specific to events and activities, gaps exist. Ethics fill in the gaps where a specific regulation may not exist. In other words, ethical behavior seeks to achieve compliance, not just to the letter of law, but also to the spirit of law. This is particularly important for those activities that fall under the "grey areas" of regulations. While regulations might aim at avoiding any actual unscrupulous activity or conflicts of interests, ethical conduct ensures avoidance of even apparent or perceived conflicts of interests.

For the managers, being perceived as trustworthy is essential because transactions involve the exchange of significant volumes of assets, often without a face-to-face meeting or the traditional handshake. Investors base their trust on a firm's reputation for financial performance and ethical soundness. When an firm's ethical stance comes into question, or its commitment to the honest conduct of business is in doubt, trust is extremely difficult to rebuild, damaging the firm's reputation and ability to compete. To be engaged in questionable financial dealings is not merely a breach of ethics and the law it is poor business. And it will surely imperil many client relationships, and along with them the future profitability of the firm.

The high-voltage, high-velocity financial environment that has emerged in the recent years as a result of globalization, convergence, consolidation, and e-business applications not only poses a particular threat to investment banks that manage ethics as a strategic element rather than a core business principle but also challenge even the most ethically vigilant and conservative firms. Managers thus need to be ever more diligent to balance their entrepreneurial impulses with their fiduciary responsibilities and adhere to strong standards of professionalism that require that the interest of clients be placed ahead of self-interest at all times.

CONCEPT OF ETHICS

Business ethics can he defined as an attempt to ascertain the responsibilities and ethical obligations of the business professionals. It is based on broad principles of integrity and fairness and focuses in issues that a company or an individual can actually influence. Some of these include honesty in financial transactions, respect for company property, avoidance of conflicts of interest, honoring of contractual obligations, and respect for the law. The focus here is on the individuals rather than on the issues, and the primary question deals with how individuals conduct themselves in fulfilling these ethical requirements.

Being ethical would broadly include trying to be a good corporate citizen, trying as an organization to adhere to certain ethical values like honesty, integrity, fairness, responsible citizenship and accountability, and trying to do the right thing. While being ethical may in simple words imply choosing the good over the bad, the right over the wrong and the fair over the unfair in an increasingly competitive business where the choice is not always the simple one between what is right and what is wrong. It is more often between what is right and what is less right - in other words between shades of grey. The key challenge therefore lies in making ethics a core value and making values, not rules, the driver of a company's culture.

MANAGERIAL ETHICS

The ethical dilemma faced by the management centers on the continual conflict, or on the continual potential of that conflict, that exists between the economic and social performance of an organization. The economic function demands that the firms have to operate profitably in order to survive over the long-term while the social function stresses the obligations of the firm towards its employees, customers, clients, stockholders and the general public.

The management confronts an ethical dilemma when the improvements in economic performance namely, the increase in profits or decrease in costs - can be made only at the expense of one or more of the groups to

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whom the firm has some form of obligation. The question for the management therefore lies in finding a balance between social performance and economic performance when faced by an ethical dilemma. Managerial decisions have extended consequences impacting both the organization and the customers. Managers confront many ethical dilemmas while making the decisions because many of the times someone to whom the firm has some form of obligation is going to be hurt or harmed in some manner, while the company is going to profit. Managers face ethical dilemmas while taking decisions on aspects like downsizing, marketing policies, or mergers and acquisitions.

DOWNSIZING

One of the most common ethical dilemmas faced by the management is layoffs or downsizing in the event of a market downturn or increasing competitive pressures. Sluggish pace of activities in the capital markets that include decline in both equity and debt markets, decline in the stock prices prompt the investment banks to layoffs in different business segments. For say, as the wave of consolidation, mergers and acquisitions sweeps through the financial services industry downsizing in order to avoid duplication of efforts has become a common practice. Similarly shutting down a business segment that has not been profitable also leads to job cuts.

The employees who are forced to leave their jobs feel betrayed and the organization and its leadership may be thought to be impatient, premature and lacking integrity. The surviving employees will often share perceptions about ethics of this decision with those who are being forced to leave. They also feel tremendous pressure when asked to do more work or learn new tasks. The management must therefore demonstrate empathy for all of those affected by this decision. While being fired is always traumatic, companies can cause extra pain to employees by bumbling their way through the process. The management must try to soften the blow as much as possible. When companies are forced to downsize because of economic considerations, it is crucial to keep in mind the human impact. By granting generous packages to the fired employees, or helping the employees find new jobs firms can reduce the emotional impact of the downsizing.

MARKETING STRATEGIES

Marketing strategies is another area where the increasing competitive pressures prompt the corporations to engage in activities at the expense of consumer education about their products and services in order to generate sales. While most of the commercial advertising is regulated there continue to be instances where the corporations stretch the truth, engage in subtle forms of deception, or make claims about their services that are exaggerations or worse. Instances of such practices have been seen in the online brokerage industry where the advertising practices and the advertising content of the online brokers could color the expectations of the online investors.

Types of Management Ethics

Archie B. Carroll, an eminent researcher in the field of corporate social responsibility, broadly divided the managements into three types: (i) Moral management (ii) Amoral management (iii) Immoral management.

Moral management strives to follow ethical principles and precepts. Even while fighting it tough for business success, it never sacrifices the sense of fairness, justice and ethics. It does attach due weight to profits and financial results, but within the purview of legal and moral compliance.

Amoral management is a middle path between moral and immoral. Basically, it does not have a stance on issues relating, to morality or ethical considerations, nor do they seem to bother about them does it. When the management is intentionally amoral, it thinks that general ethical standards are not applicable to business. Therefore, it excludes ethical issues from the decision-making process. It does care about the letter of law, if not the spirit of it. An amoral management intervenes in the matters when the actions of the employees lead to external pressures. Immoral management is synonymous with the "unethical practices" in business. Such a management not only ignores ethical consideration in business operations, but also actively opposes ethical behavior. It supports extreme pragmatism and displays short-term tendencies.

ROLE OF LAW IN ETHICS

It is generally agreed that law cannot substitute either ethical standards or corporate governance. However, law can support the cause by specifying the basic minimum standards to be followed. Over and above the compliance, strictly confined to the letter of the law, it is left to the firm to follow judicious and ethical practices.

In this context, it is worthy to note the following: "The law states minimum standards of conduct. But it does not and cannot embody the whole duty of man, and mere compliance with the law does not necessarily make a good citizen or a good company."

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Given the limitations of law in enforcing high ethical standards, it still attempts to legally govern a few aspects of business and corporate functioning. The following are the areas that can be subjected to the purview of law with effective supervision:

i. Disclosure practicesii. Transparency of operationsiii. Maintaining confidentiality of client information

The company law in any country can also govern the conduct and behavior of the management and accountability, to the others within and outside the company. Regulations pertaining to conduct of meetings address the issue of management participation and also pave the way for shareholder activism. The limit on the maximum number of directorships attempts to define a span of attention and devotion for an individual. Misrepresentations in prospectuses are dealt with under both civil and criminal laws.

TRANSPARENCY OF OPERATIONS

There is a major difference in terms of transparency of operations, between corporates and partnership firms. This aspect is peculiar due to their historical adherence to the partnership form of business organization. Visionary and ethical managements resorted to corporatization as a means of communicating their commitment to greater transparency, responsibility and accountability. Investment banks also allowed the market to value them.

The evolution of technology has provided greater access to information to the companies. Information technology has enabled the exchanges to broadcast the trade and quotation information to all the market participants. This allows all the market participants to have equal access to the same market information and removes the disparity of information between the clients and brokers to a certain extent. The compensation policies in the industry are peculiar and highly subjected to multiple counting of transaction value that can be credited to each employee. It is important to design a compensation determination policy that would instill a sense of confidence and fair play among the employees. Ethical practices mean "justice should not only be done, but also seem to be done."

ENFORCING ETHICS

Companies face the daunting task of promoting ethical behavior among all the employees and ethics programs seek to promote awareness of legal and ethical concerns and to encourage ethical behavior among the employees. The key challenge for every financial managers lies in making ethics the core value and making values, not rules the drivers of a company's culture. This is because in a purely rule-driven culture, people may conclude, "what is not forbidden, is permitted" which is a dangerous assumption.

Tools for Ethical Management

Though there can be no hard and fast rules on the tools that would bring in ethical business practices, there can be a set of guidelines acting as general tools and techniques to create an ethical climate. According to Theodore Parcell and James Weber, the management can incorporate ethical practices techniques in three steps: establish appropriate company policy or code of ethical conduct, appoint a formal ethical committee and, impart education on ethics during management development programs. The tools for enforcing ethics seek to promote awareness of legal and ethical concerns and to encourage ethical behavior among employees at work. The tools include:

1. Top management commitment: Managers can prove their commitment and dedication to work by employing the other tools that would inject a sense of ethics in the staff.

2. Code of Ethics: This is a formal document that states an organization's primary values and the ethical rules it expects employees to follow.

3. Ethics Committees: Codifying the ethical practices would alone not suffice if it is not supplemented by an exclusive body for monitoring and steering the operations. An ethics committee needs to be constituted with both the internal and external directors. This way, the firm can try to institutionalize ethical behavior. The role of the committee becomes significant when the firm faces situations of dilemma regarding policy matters. The ethics committee organizes regular meetings to discuss ethical issues, communicate the code to all members of the organization, identifies possible violations of the code, enforces the code, rewards ethical behavior and punishes those who violate corporate ethics, reviews and update the code of ethics and reports activities of the committee to me board of directors.

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4. Ethics Audits: This involves scrutiny and assessment of activities and their conformance with the predetermined ethical guidelines. Audits attempt to identify and correct any deviations from the standards set.

5. Ethics Training: The goal of ethics training is to encourage ethical behavior. This can be conducted both during the induction of the employee as well as during the periodic employee/management development programs.

6. Ethics Hotline: Ethics Hotline enables employees to deviate from the normal chain of command and reach the top management with their observations, experiences, problems and opinions, relating to the ethical validity of any of the firm's activity. For example, a country head may resort to unethical practices by manipulating the equities market (underlying) to suit the derivatives operations of the firm. An employee who comes to know of it can contact the region-head or the global corporate headquarters and complain about the matter. Such a whistle-blower might even go public with the information, if he perceives that no remedial action might be available inside the firm. The hotline helps in gathering the information from the whistle-blower, thereby controlling the damage that adverse publicity can cause to the firm.

While a commitment to ethics is among the most valuable assets a firm can possess, it is also among the most difficult of assets to acquire and maintain, as well as among the easiest to lose. Even a company with a long tradition of being committed to ethics has no assurance that it will remain so committed. This requires the managers to develop a strong ethical culture that imbibes and reflects the values, attitudes and beliefs, which have the single greatest influence on how the investment bank works'. The future growth and success of any company depends on its commitment to these values, attitudes and beliefs and its ability to instill them in its employees.

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