Differential Analysis for a Discontinued Product A condensed income statement by product line for Healthy Beverage Inc. indicated the following for Fruit Cola for the past year: Sales $12,750,000 Cost of goods sold 8,500,000 Gross profit $ 4,250,000 Operating expenses 6,000,000 Loss from operations $ (1,750,000) It is estimated that 25% of the cost of goods sold represents fixed factory overhead costs and that 15% of the operating expenses are fixed. Because Fruit Cola is only one of many products, the fixed costs will not be materially affected if the product is discontinued. a. Prepare a differential analysis dated January 5 to determine whether Fruit Cola should be continued (Alternative 1) or discontinued (Alternative 2). If an amount is zero, enter "0". Use a minus sign to indicate a loss. Differential Analysis Continue Fruit Cola (Alt. 1) or Discontinue Fruit Cola (Alt. 2) January 5 Continue Fruit Cola (Alternative 1) Discontinue Fruit Cola (Alternative 2) Differential Effect on Income (Alternative 2) Revenues $ $ $ Costs: Variable cost of goods sold Variable operating expenses Fixed costs Income (Loss) $ $ $ b. Should Fruit Cola be retained

Healthy Beverage Inc.

a) Differential Analysis

1) Continue Fruit Cola (Alt. 1)

Sales                            $12,750,000

Cost of goods sold         8,500,000

Gross profit                  $4,250,000

Operating expenses      6,000,000

Loss from operations ($1,750,000)

2) Discontinue Fruit Cola (Alt. 2)

Differential Effect on Income (Alternative 2):

Fixed costs:

Cost of goods sold        $2,125,000

Operating expenses          900,000

Income (Loss)               ($3,025,000)

b. Should Fruit Cola be retained ?

The production and sale of the Fruit Cola should be continued.  Discontinuing it would not save the company the incurrence of the fixed cost.

Explanation:

Differential analysis is a managerial accounting technique for analyzing the different costs and benefits that would arise from alternative solutions to a particular problem.

In the above scenario, discontinuing the production and sale of Fruit Cola would not save the company the fixed costs, so the product should be continued.  It is not the product that is causing the net loss but allocated fixed costs.  Fixed cost is a sunk cost that is not relevant in differential analysis type of decision making.

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