Answer:
Lereve Company
Segmented Income Statement for the fourth quarter:
Total Company Western Division Eastern Division
Sales revenues $200,000 $80,000 $120,000
Variable cost of sales 60,000 30,000 30,000
Contribution $140,000 $50,000 $90,000
Fixed costs:
Common $100,000 $25,000 $75,000
Traceable 50,000 20,000 30,000
Net Income (Loss) ($10,000) $5,000 ($15,000)
The results show that the Eastern Division made a net loss of $15,000 and the Western Division raked in a net income of $5,000, which resulted in the company-wide net loss of $10,000. This loss could be traced to the allocated common fixed costs of the division, because its contribution to fixed costs was substantial and better than the Western Division's.
Explanation:
When the results of the operations of a divisional company like Lereve Company are prepared in segmental form, the performance pictures become clearer. Management is enabled to focus on the segments or the factors that are generating the loss to the company. Perhaps, as in this case, the problem may not be with the division, but the allocation of fixed costs to the divisions. It can still be traced to the company as a whole, since it is generating much more fixed costs than it could afford from its revenue.
