Lemon Auto Wholesalers had sales of \(1,000,000 last year, and cost of goods sold represented 78 percent of sales. Selling and administrative expenses were 12 percent of sales. Depreciation expense was \)11,000 and interest expense for the year was \(8,000. The firm’s tax rate is 30 percent.
a. Compute earnings after taxes.
b. Assume the firm hires Ms. Carr, an efficiency expert, as a consultant. She suggests that by increasing selling and administrative expenses to 14 percent of sales, sales can be increased to \)1,050,900. The extra sales effort will also reduce cost of goods sold to 74 percent of sales. (There will be a larger markup in prices as a result of more aggressive selling.) Depreciation expense will remain at \(11,000. However, more automobiles will have to be carried in inventory to satisfy customers, and interest expense will go up to \)15,800. The firm’s tax rate will remain at 30 percent. Compute revised earnings after taxes based on Ms. Carr’s suggestions for Lemon Auto Wholesalers. Will her ideas increase or decrease profitability?
