Equilibrium under Perfect Competition of Market

There is a demand curve under perfect competition:

Equilibrium under perfect competition

This is a horizontal demand of curve. So, the price is given and the firm has to decide the output to be produced according to their cost condition at that price.

Equilibrium Condition or the optimal output level:

The firm which wants to maximize its profit and minimize the loss should produce a output where MR=MC. This condition is applied to all the firms regardless of whether it has the control to set the price or not. But where the firm has no power to decide, the price MR is the going market price (P=MR).

Revenue and cost concept tells that TR-TC is total profit. Similarly, MR-MC is the marginal profit. When both reach at this point that is MR=MC. This formula shows that the firm can make no more profit and therefore should stop there. This is called output level.

We can show the equilibrium condition under perfect competition as:

Equilibrium Condition under Perfect Competition

After this condition there are short run equilibrium with loss and long run equilibrium. The short run equilibrium with loss brings a condition of shut down point. In short run, the firm may continue its production to recover losses in long run.

We assume that all the firms have identical cost condition in the industry. In the short run, the firm will keep on producing even when it is incurring loss. But in the long run, the firm, which is not even getting normal profit, will shut down.

The existing firms will return to normal profits from super profits. So, in long run, under perfect competition the firm incurs normal profit. There are no super normal profit and no huge loss.

This concept brings an understanding about market and competition of market. This curve is applied in all competition of market.

What is the financial leverage? State the uses of financial leverage

Financial leverage as opposed to operating leverage relates to the financing activities of a firm and measures the effect of EBIT on EPS of the company. A company’s sources of funds fall under tow categories – those which carry a fixed financial charge – debentures, bonds and preference share and those which don’t carry any fixed charge – equity shares. Debentures and bonds carry a fixed rate of interest and have to be paid off irrespective of the firm’s revenues. Though dividends are not contractual obligations, dividend on preference shares is a fixed charge and should be paid off before equity shareholders are paid any. The equity holders are entitled to only the residual income of the firm after all prior obligations are met.

Financial leverage refers to the mix of debt and equity in the capital structure of the firm. This results from the presence of fixed financial charges in the company’s income stream. Such expenses have nothing to do with the firm’s performance and earnings and should be paid off regardless of the amount of EBIT. It is the firm’s ability to use fixed financial charges to increase the effects of changes in EBIT on the EPS. It is the use of funds obtained at fixed costs to increase the returns to shareholders. A company earning more by the use of assets funded by fixed sources is said to be having a favorable or positive leverage. Unfavorable leverage occurs when the firm is not earning sufficiently to cover the cost of funds. Financial leverage is also referred to do as “trading equity”.

Use of financial leverage studying DFL of various levels makes financial decision-making on the use of fixed sources of funds for funding activities easy. One can assess the impact of changes in EBIT in EPS.

Like operating leverage, the risks are high at high degrees of financial leverage. High financial costs are associated with high DFL. An increase in financial costs implies higher level in financial costs implies higher level of EBIT to meet the necessary financial commitments. A firm not capable of honoring its financial commitments may be forced to go into liquidation by the lenders of funds. The existence of the firm is shaky under these circumstances. On the one hand trading on equity improves considerably by the use of borrowed funds and on the other hand, the firm has to constantly work towards higher EBIT to stay alive in the business. All these factors should be considered while formulating the firm’s mix of sources of funds. One main goal of financial planning is devise a capital structure in order to provide a high return to equity holders. But at the same time this should not be done with heavy debt financing which drives the company on to the brink of winding up.

Marginal Costing and Break-even Analysis

Do you know that “marginal costing” is the gift of British? OK, with the chapter of we will deal about the marginal costing and break-even analysis.

Objectives:

Meaning of Marginal Cost and Marginal Costing

Concept of Contribution

Break-even Point and Margin of Safety

Break-even Charts

Applications and Limitations of marginal costing

About the definition of Marginal Costing ICMA London has defined as, “The ascertainment of marginal costs and of the effect of profit of changes in volume or type of output by differentiating between fixed costs and variable costs.”

In another word ICMA London define about marginal costs, “the amount at any given volume of output by which the aggregate costs are changed if the volume of output is increased or decreased by one unit.”

Formula of Marginal costs:

Marginal cost = prime cost + total variable overheads

Or

Marginal cost = total variable cost.

Concept of Contribution:

Contribution called when selling price and marginal cost (variable cost) difference comes together.

Formula can be:

Contribution = selling price – variable (marginal) cost
Or Contribution = fixed cost + profit (or-loss)
Or Contribution – fixed cost = profit (or loss)

Thus,

Sales = Variable cost + fixed cost + profit (or – loss)
Sales = Variable cost = fixed cost + profit (or – loss)

In this chapter we have to read about P/V (Profit Volume) ratio also so here is P/V ratio calculation:

P/V = contribution/sales = S/C

Or = [Fixed Costs + Profit/sales] = [F+P/S]

Or = [Sales-Variable Cost/Sales] = [S-V/S]

Now, we will discuss about the Break-even Point:

Break-even Point is the representation position of that volume of sales or production which has no profit no loss. It means total sales are just equal to total cost.

The formula of the calculation of Break-even point is:

Break-even Point (units) = Total fixed costs/Contribution per unit [F/C per unit]

Break-even Sales = Total Fixed Costs x selling price per unit / contribution per unit
[F/C*S]

Fixed Cost/P/V Ratio [F/P/V]

Break-even chart shows the graphical representation of cost and revenue of inter-relation at different volumes of output.

About the advantages of Break-even chart no doubt that it helps to determine the selling price to give a desired volume of profit.

It shows costs and profits and different volumes of productions. But along with there are limitation of break-even chart also. About it people says that it always not shows true chart.

At last we can analysis about break-even and can say that it is the level of operations which is the position of cost and revenue equilibrium.

I think now, it is enough for marginal cost and break-even analysis from financial books. I will elaborate it more deeply with the further discussion where I will put some more examples also from finance and accounting books.

Understanding Cost from Financial Books

To explain about cost we start from the meaning of cost. According to Institute of Cost and management Accounts (ICMA) London in 1982, “the amount of expenditure (actual or national) incurred on, or attributable to a specified thing or activity.” According to the definition it is clear that cost may be the actual expenditure of national chares.

After the definition of cost we will go with the classification of costs:

1. Nature or Elements
2. Functions or Operations
3. Traceability
4. Variability or Behaviour
5. Controllability
6. Normality
7. Managerial Purposes

Now, we will explain about the costs along with graphs:

Fixed Cost graph:

Total Fixed Costs:

Unit Fixed Costs

Variable Costs known as also Linear Variable Costs. Variable costs graph shown as:

Linear Variable Cost

Non-Linear or Curvilinear Variable Costs graph:

Convex – linear Variable Cost

Concave – Linear Variable Cost

Semi-Fixed and Semi-Variable Costs

Semi-fixed Cost

Semi-variable Costs

Now, in the end of the chapter we can say all the things are clear which are in the chapter of costs. Most things are clear with the graph of costs. With the help of above mentioned graph we can conclude some decision in an organization. Cost is a part of CFS also in the financial chapter.