United Snack Company sells 50-pound bags of peanuts to university dormitories for $20 a bag. The fixed costs of this operation are $176,250, while the variable costs of peanuts are $.15 per pound.
a. What is the break-even point in bags?
b. Calculate the profit or loss on 7,000 bags and on 20,000 bags.
c. What is the degree of operating leverage at 19,000 bags and at 24,000 bags? Why does the degree of operating leverage change as the quantity sold increases?
d. If United Snack Company has an annual interest expense of $15,000, calculate the degree of financial leverage at both 19,000 and 24,000 bags.
e. What is the degree of combined leverage at both sales levels?