COST-VOLUME-PROFIT ANALYSIS AND

BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

 Meaning of Cost-volume-profit analysis

 Objectives of Cost-volume-profit analysis
 Assumptions of Cost-volume-profit analysis
 Techniques or elements of Cost-volume-profit analysis.
 Advantages and limitations of cost-volume-profit analysis.
MEANING OF COST-VOLUME-PROFIT
(CVP) ANALYSIS

 Cost-Volume-Profit analysis is a technique for studying the relationship between cost,

volume and profit.
 Profits of an undertaking depend upon a large number of factors. But the most important
of these factors are the cost of manufacture, volume of sales and the selling prices of the
products.
 In the words of Herman C. Heiser, “the most significant single factor in profit planning of
the average business is the relationship between the volume of business, costs and
profits”. The CVP relationship is an important tool used for the profit planning of a
business.
OBJECTIVES OF COST-VOLUME-PROFIT ANALYSIS

 The CVP analysis may be used in determining the break-even-point.

 Fixation of selling prices.
 Selecting the suitable product/sales mix.
 Profit planning and maintaining a desired level of profit.
 Determining the optimum level of activity.
 Evaluating the performance.
 Taking many other decisions involving alternative choices such as make or buy
decision, accept or reject decisions etc.
ASSUMPTIONS OF CVP ANALYSIS

 All elements of cost can be segregated into fixed and variable components.
 Variable cost remains constant per unit of output irrespective of the level of output and thus
fluctuates directly in proportion to changes in the volume of output.
 Fixed costs remain unchanged or constant for the entire volume of production.
 Productivity and efficiency of operations remain constant at various levels of operation.
 The selling price per unit remains unchanged or constant at all levels of activity.
 The volume of production or output is the only factor which influences the costs.
 There is no change in the quantity of opening and closing inventories. It is assumed that the
number of units produced equal the number of units sold.
 The sales mix remains constant at all levels of activity in case of multi product firms.
 Total costs and total revenues are linear functions of output.
TECHNIQUES OR ELEMENTS OF
COST-VOLUME-PROFIT ANALYSIS

CONTRIBUTION MARGIN
MARGINAL COST EQUATION
CONCEPT

PROFIT-VOLUME (P/V OR C/S)

BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS
RATIO
CONTRIBUTION MARGIN CONCEPT

Contribution is the difference between sales and variable cost or marginal cost of sales. It may also be
defined as the excess of selling price over variable cost per unit. Contribution is also known as
Contribution Margin or Gross Margin. Contribution being the excess of sales over variable cost is the
amount that is contributed towards fixed expenses and profit.

Contribution can be represented as :

Contribution = Sales – Variable (Marginal) Cost

or Contribution (per unit) = Selling Price–Variable (or marginal) cost per unit

or Contribution = Fixed Costs + Profit (—Loss)

ADVANTAGES OF CONTRIBUTION

It helps the management in the fixation of selling prices.

It assists in determining the break-even point.

It helps management in the selection of a suitable product mix for profit maximisation.

It helps in choosing from among alternative methods of production ; the method which gives
highest contribution per limiting factor is adopted.

It helps the management in deciding whether to purchase or manufacture a product or a

component.

It helps in taking a decision as regards to adding a new product in the market.

 Marginal Cost Equation

For the sake of convenience, a marginal cost equation can be derived as follows :
Sales – Variable cost = Contribution
or, Sales = Variable cost + Contribution
or, Sales = Variable cost + Fixed Cost ± Profit/Loss
or, Sales–Variable cost = Fixed cost ± Profit/Loss
or, S–V=F±P
where ‘S’ stands for Sales
‘V’ stands for Variable cost
‘F’ stands for Fixed cost
‘P’ stands for Profit/Loss
The marginal cost equation is very useful in the sense that if any three factors out of the four are known, the fourth can
easily be found out.
PROFIT/VOLUME RATIO (P/V RATIO
OR C/S RATIO)

on profit of changes in the volume.

BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS

The study of cost-volume profit analysis is often referred to as ‘break-even analysis’ and the two
terms are used interchangeably by many. This is so, because break-even analysis is the most
widely known form of cost-volume-profit analysis. The term “break-even analysis” is used in
two senses—narrow sense and broad sense. In its broad sense, break-even analysis refers to the
study of relationship between costs, volume and profit at different levels of sales or production.
In its narrow sense, it refers to a technique of determining that level of operations where total
revenues equal total expenses, i.e.,the point of no profit, no loss.
ASSUMPTIONS OF BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS

 All elements of cost, i.e., production, administration and selling and distribution can be segregated
into fixed and variable components.
 Variable cost remains constant per unit of output irrespective of the level of output and thus
fluctuates directly in proportion to changes in the volume of output.
 Fixed cost remains constant at all volumes of output.
 Selling price per unit remains unchanged or constant at all levels of output.
 Volume of production is the only factor that influences cost.
 There will be no change in the general price-level.
 There is only one product or in case of multi-products, the sales mix remains unchanged.
 There is synchronisation between production and sales.
BREAK EVEN POINT

The break-even point may be defined as that point of sales volume at which total revenue is equal to total cost.

It is a point of no profit, no loss. A business is said to break-even when its total sales are equal to its total

costs. The break-even point refers to that level of output which evenly breaks the costs and revenues and

hence the name. At this point, contribution, i.e., sales minus marginal cost, equals the fixed costs and hence

this point is often called as ‘Critical Point’ or ‘Equilibrium Point’ or ‘Balancing Point’ or no profit, no loss.

If production/sales is increased beyond this level, there shall be profit to the organisation and if it is decrease

from this level, there shall be loss to the organisation.

Break-even point can be stated in the form of an equation :

Sales revenue at break-even point = Fixed Costs + Variable Costs.

COMPUTATION OF THE BREAK-EVEN POINT

The break-even point can be computed by the following methods :

 The Algebraic Formula Method
 Graphic or Chart Method.
ALGEBRAIC FORMULA METHOD FOR COMPUTING THE BREAK-EVEN POINT
The break-even point can be computed in terms of :
 Units of sales volume.
 Budget total or in terms of money value.
 As a percentage of estimated capacity.
 (a) Break-Even Point in Units
As the break-even point is the point of no profit no loss, it is that level of output at which
the total contribution equals the total fixed costs, It can be calculated with the help of following
formula :

(b) Break-even Point in terms of budget-total or money value

At break-even point :
Total Sales = Total Fixed Cost + Total Variable Cost
or S = F + V
(where S = Sales, F = Fixed Cost and V = Variable cost)
or S – V = F
S V F
or =
S V S V
(Dividing both sides by S – V)
F
or 1=
S V
F ×S
or S  1 = (Multiplying both sides by S)
S V
Fixed Cost Fixed Cost
Hence, break–even sales =  Sales =  Sales
Sales  Variable Cost Con tribu tion
Fixed Cost  Con tribu tion 
With the use of P/V Ratio, B.E.P. =  As, = P/ V ratio 
P/ V ratio  Sales 
 (c) Break-even Point as a percentage of estimated capacity
Break-even point can also be computed as a percentage of the estimated sales or capacity by
dividing the break-even sales by the capacity sales. For example, if a firm has an estimated
capacity of 1,00,000 units of products and its break-even point is reached at 50,000 units,
then the break-even point is at 50% of capacity (1,00,000/50,000). If information as to total
contribution at full capacity is available, the break-even point as a percentage of estimated
capacity can be found as
CASH BREAK-EVEN POINT

In the present competitive world of business, it may be difficult for new industrial units to achieve the break-
even point in the initial years. Thus, the concept of cash break-even point has emerged. The cash break-even
point may be defined as that point of sales volume at which total revenue is equal to total cash cost. At this
point, cash contribution (which is calculated after making adjustment for variable portion of depreciation, etc.)
equals the cash fixed cost, i.e., fixed cost excluding depreciation and deferred expenses. This point enables the
management to determine the level of activity below which the liquidity position of the firm would be
adversely affected.
Thus, cash break-even point may be calculated as:
COMPOSITE BREAK-EVEN POINT
(MULTIPRODUCT SITUATION)

So far we have dealt with break-even point of firms producing single product. We can also
calculate the composite break-even point for a firm producing several products, as below :
 OPERATING LEVERAGE AND RISK

Operating leverage results from the presence of fixed costs that help in magnifying net operating income
fluctuations flowing from small variations in revenue. The fixed cost is treated as fulcrum of a leverage.
The changes in sales are related to changes in revenue. The fixed costs do not change with the change in
sales. Any increase in sales, fixed costs remaining the same, will magnify the operating revenue. The
operating leverage occurs when a firm has fixed costs which must be recovered irrespective of sales
volume. The fixed costs remaining same, the percentage change in operating revenue will be more than
the percentage change is sales. The occurrence is known as operating leverage. The degree of operating
leverage depends upon the amount of fixed elements in the cost structure. Operating leverage can be
determined by means of a break even or cost volume profit analysis.
The degree of leverage will be calculated as :
Contribution = Sales – Variable cost

Operating Profit = Sales – Variable Cost – Fixed cost

or O.P. = Contribution – Fixed Cost

The break even point can be calculated by dividing the fixed cost by percentage of
contribution to sales or P/V Ratio.
Fixed Cost
Break Even Point =
P/V Ratio
Contribution
P/V Ratio =
Sales
When production and sales move above the break even point, the firm enters highly
profitable range of activities. At break even point the fixed costs are fully recovered, any
increase in sales beyond this level will increase profits equal to contribution. A firm operating
with a high degree of leverage and above break even point earns good amount of profits.

If a firm does not have fixed costs then there will be no operating leverage. The percentage
change in sales will be equal to the percentage change in profit. When fixed costs are there,
the percentage change in profits will be more than the percentage in sales volume.

Thus, degree of operating leverage can be computed as below :

ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING BREAK-
EVEN CHARTS

 All costs can be separated into fixed and variable costs.

 Fixed costs remain constant at all levels of activity.
 Variable cost fluctuates directly in proportion to changes in the volume of output.
 Selling prices per unit remain constant at all levels of activity.
 There is no opening or closing stock.
 There will be no change in operating efficiency.
 Product mix remains unchanged or there is only one product.
 The volume of output or production is the only factor which influences the cost.
ADVANTAGES OR USES OF BREAK-EVEN CHARTS

 Information provided by the break-even chart is in a simple form and is clearly understandable even to a
layman. The whole idea of the problem is presented at a glance.
 The break-even chart is very useful to the management for taking managerial decisions because the chart
studies the relationship of cost, volume and profit at various levels of output. The effects of changes in fixed
costs and variables costs at various levels of output and that of changes in the selling price on the profits can
be depicted very clearly by way of break-even charts.
 The break-even charts help in knowing and analysing the profitability of different products under various
circumstances.
 A break-even chart is very useful for forecasting (the costs and profits), planning and growth.
 The break-even chart is a managerial tool for control of costs as it shows the relative importance of fixed
cost in the total cost of a product.
 Besides determining the break-even point, profits at various levels of output can also be determined with the
help of break-even charts.
LIMITATIONS OF BREAK-EVEN CHARTS

A break-even chart is based upon a number of assumptions, which

may not hold good under all circumstances.

A break-even chart provides only a limited information.

Break-even charts present only cost-volume profit relationships but

ignore other important considerations such as the amount of capital
investment, marketing problems and government policies, etc.
A break-even chart does not suggest any action or remedies to the
management as a tool of management decisions.

More often, a break-even chart presents only a static view of the

problem under consideration.
 MARGIN OF SAFETY

The excess of actual or budgeted sales over the break-even sales is known as the margin of safety. It is the
difference between actual sales minus the sales at break-even point.Margin of Safety = Total Sales – Sales at
Break-Even Point.
Margin of safety calculated in percentage is also known as Margin of Safety Ratio and
can be expressed as :
M.S.
M.S. Ratio =  100
Sales
Actu al Sales  Sales at B. E. P .
=  100
Sales
Margin of safety can also be calculated with the help of the following formula :

Profit
Margin of Safety (M/S) =
P/ V Ratio
 PROFIT-VOLUME GRAPH

Profit-volume graph is a pictorial representation of the profit-volume relationship. This graph shows profit and loss at
different volumes of sales. It is said to be a simplified form of break-even chart as it clearly represents the relationship of
profit to volume of sales.
The construction of a profit-volume graph involves the following steps :
 Sales line (in volume or value) is drawn on horizontal or x-axis.
 Profits and losses are given on vertical or y-axis.
 The area above the horizontal of x-axis is called the profit area and the area below the horizontal axis is the loss
area.
 Profits and losses at different levels of activity are plotted against corresponding sales and then these points are
joined and extended. This line is called profit line. In case of more than one products, a separate profit line for
each product should be drawn.
 The point where profit line intersects with the sales line is the break-even point.
ADVANTAGES OF MARGINAL COSTING
AND CVP ANALYSIS

1. Simple to operate and easy to understand

2. Removes complexities of under-absorption of overheads
3. Helps management in Production Planning.
4. No possibility of fictitious profits by over-valuing stocks
5. Facilitates calculation of important factors like B.E.P.
6. Valuable aid to management for Decision-Making
7. Facilitates study of relative profitability
8. Complimentary to Standard Costing and Budgetary control
9. Helps in Cost Control
10. Profit Planning
11. Management Reporting
LIMITATIONS/DISADVANTAGES OF
MARGINAL COSTING & CVP ANALYSIS
 The technique of marginal costing is based upon a number of assumptions which may not hold
good under all circumstances.
 All costs are not divisible into fixed and variable. There are certain costs which are semi-variable in
nature. it is very difficult and arbitrary to classify these costs into fixed and variable elements.
 Variable costs do not always remain constant and do not always vary in direct proportion
to volume of output because of the laws of diminishing and increasing returns.
 Selling prices do not remain constant for ever and for all levels of output due to competition,
discounts for bulk orders, changes in the general price level, etc.
 Fixed costs do not remain constant after a certain level of activity. Further, marginal costing ignores
the fact that fixed costs are also controllable.
 The exclusion of fixed costs from the stocks of finished goods and work-in-progress is illogical since
fixed costs are also incurred on the manufacture of products. Stocks valued on marginal costing are
undervalued and the profit and loss account cannot reveal true profits. Similarly, as the stock are
undervalued, the balance sheet does not give a true picture.
 Although the technique of marginal costing overcomes the problem of under or over-absorption of
fixed overheads, the problem still exists in regard to under or over-absorption of variable overheads.
 Marginal costing completely ignores the ‘time factor’. Thus, if two jobs give equal contribution but one takes
longer time to complete, the one which takes longer time should be regarded as costlier than the other. But
this fact is ignored altogether under marginal costing.
 The technique of marginal costing cannot be applied in contract or ship-building industry because
in such cases, normally the value of work-in-progress is very high and the exlusion of fixed overheads may
result into losses every year and huge profit in the year of completion of the job.
 Cost control can be better be achieved with the help of other techniques, viz., standard costing and budgetary
control than by marginal costing technique.
 Fixation of selling prices in the long run cannot be done without considering fixed costs. Thus, pricing
decisions cannot be based on marginal cost alone.
 In CVP analysis, it is assumed that productivity and efficiency will remain constant at various levels of
operation. This assumption may not hold good in real situations.
 It is difficult to establish cost-volume-profit relationship when there is a change in the quantum of opening and
closing inventories.
 It is difficult to use the cost-volume-profit analysis for a multi-product firm or situation.
 In the present days of automation, the proportion of fixed costs in relation to variable costs is very high and
hence managerial decisions based upon only the marginal cost ignoring equally important element of fixed
cost may not be correct.
 Although, the technique of marginal costing suffers from the above mentioned
limitations, it is a very useful tool in the hands of the management and is extensively used for cost control,
decision-making and profit