As compared with the FIFO method of costing inventories, does the LIFO method result in a larger or smaller net income in a period of rising prices? What is the comparative effect on net income in a period of falling prices?

Short Answer

Expert verified

In case of rising price trend, FIFO is a suitable method, and in case of falling price, trend LIFO is suitable.

Step by step solution

01

FIFO vs. LIFO in case of rising prices

FIFO is based on the historic cost method. So the issued inventories are valued at the earliest cost of acquisition. Thus under the FIFO method, the current price rising to tend does not affect the inventory valuation, and the net income is free from the inflation effect.

On the contrary, under the LIFO method, the current cost is used for valuing inventory. Current cost is affected by the rising price trend reflect the inflation effect.

So, the LIFO method is affected the rising price trend.

02

FIFO vs. LIFO in case of falling prices

In case of falling prices, the FIFO may represent a cost lower higher than the current cost level. So under FIFO, inventory can be overvalued in case of a falling price trend.

On the contrary, the LIFO may represent the lover inventory value in case of falling prices as the valuation is done on the current cost level.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Case 3: The Kroger Company

The Kroger Company reported the following data in its annual report (in millions).

January 31, February 1, February 2,

2015 2014 2013

Net sales \(108,465 \)98,375 $96,619

Cost of sales (using LIFO) 85,512 78,138 76,726

Year-end inventories using FIFO 6,933 6,801 6,244

Year-end inventories using LIFO 5,688 5,651 5,146

Instructions

(a) Compute Kroger’s inventory turnovers for fiscal years ending January 31, 2015, and February 1, 2014, using:

(1) Cost of sales and LIFO inventory.

(2) Cost of sales and FIFO inventory.

(b) Some firms calculate inventory turnover using sales rather than cost of goods sold in the numerator. Calculate Kroger’s fiscal years ending January 31, 2015, and February 1, 2014, turnover, using:

(1) Sales and LIFO inventory.

(2) Sales and FIFO inventory.

(c) State which method you would choose to evaluate Kroger’s performance. Justify your choice.

Question: Fong Sai-Yuk Company sells one product. Presented below is information for January for Fong Sai-Yuk Company.

Jan. 1 Inventory 100 units at \(5 each

4 Sale 80 units at \)8 each

11 Purchase 150 units at \(6 each

13 Sale 120 units at \)8.75 each

20 Purchase 160 units at \(7 each

27 Sale 100 units at \)9 each

Fong Sai-Yuk uses the FIFO cost flow assumption. All purchases and sales are on account.

Instructions

(a) Assume Fong Sai-Yuk uses a periodic system. Prepare all necessary journal entries, including the end-of-month closing entry to record cost of goods sold. A physical count indicates that the ending inventory for January is 110 units.

(b) Compute gross profit using the periodic system.

(c) Assume Fong Sai-Yuk uses a perpetual system. Prepare all necessary journal entries.

(d) Compute gross profit using the perpetual system.

Define “cost” as applied to the valuation of inventories.

Prepare a memorandum containing responses to the following items.

(a) Describe the cost flow assumptions used in average-cost, FIFO, and LIFO methods of inventory valuation.

(b) Distinguish between weighted-average-cost and moving-average-cost for inventory costing purposes.

(c) Identify the effects on both the balance sheet and the income statement of using the LIFO method instead of the FIFOmethod for inventory costing purposes over a substantial time period when purchase prices of inventoriable items arerising. State why these effects take place.

Clay Mattews, an inventory control specialist, is interested in better understanding the accounting for inventories. Although Clay understands the more sophisticated computer inventory control systems, he has littleknowledge of how inventory cost is determined. In studying the records of Strider Enterprises, which sells normal brand-namegoods from its own store and on consignment through Chavez Inc., he asks you to answer the following questions.

Instructions

(a) Should Strider Enterprises include in its inventory normal brand-name goods purchased from its suppliers but not yetreceived if the terms of purchase are f.o.b. shipping point (manufacturer’s plant)? Why?

(b) Should Strider Enterprises include freight-in expenditures as an inventory cost? Why?

(c) If Strider Enterprises purchases its goods on terms 2/10, net 30, should the purchases be recorded gross or net? Why?

(d) What are products on consignment? How should they be reported in the financial statements?

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