Comment on why inflation may restrict the usefulness of the balance sheet as normally presented.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Inflation in an economy affects the balance sheet values of the company,as inflation results in an increase in the fair value of the fixed assets. However, the values in the balance sheet are shown on a historical basis.

Step by step solution

01

Inflation 

Inflation is defined as the progressive increase in the price of the products and services in the economyand a decrease in the purchasing power of the given currency over the period.

02

Balance sheet 

A balance sheet is a major component of the financial statements of the company.It is prepared to show the position of the company’s assets, liabilities and the company’s fund at the end of the reporting period. When there exists inflation, the balance may not represent the true values of its items. As a result, its usefulness gets restricted.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Dr. Zhivàgo Diagnostics Corp.’s income statement for 20X1 is as follows:

Sales\( 2790000
Cost of goods sold1790000
Gross Profits\)1000000
Selling and administrative expenses302000
Operating profits\(698000
Interest Expense54800
Income before taxes\)643200
Taxes30%192960
Income after-tax$ 450240

Compute the profit margin for 20X1.

Inflation can have significant effects on income statements and balance sheets, and therefore on the calculation of ratios. Discuss the possible impact of inflation on the following ratios, and explain the direction of the impact based on your assumptions. (LO3-5)

c. Fixed asset turnover

Sosa Diet Supplements had earnings after taxes of $800,000 in 20X1 with 200,000 shares of stock outstanding. On January 1, 20X2, the firm issued 50,000 new shares. Because of the proceeds from these new shares and other operating improvements, earnings after taxes increased by 30 percent.

a. Compute earnings per share for the year 20X1.

b. Compute earnings per share for the year 20X2.

Using the income statement for Times Mirror and Glass Co., compute the following ratios:

The total assets for this company equal \(80,000. Set up the equation for the Du Pont system of ratio analysis, and compute c, d, and e.

e. Return on assets (investment).

Times mirror and glass company

Sales

\)126,000

Less: Cost of goods sold

93,000

Gross profit

\(33,000

Less: selling and administrative expenses

11,000

Lease Expenses

4,000

Operating profit*

\)18,000

Less: Interest expenses

3,000

Earning before taxes

\(15,000

Less: Taxes (30%)

4,500

Earning after taxes

\)10,500

*equal income before interest and taxes

Baker Oats had an asset turnover of 1.6 times per year.

b. The following year, on the same level of assets, Baker’s assets turnoverdeclined to 1.4 times and its profit margin was 8 percent. How did the returnon total assets change from that of the previous year?

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