Financial ratios and break-even conditions: which statement is WRONG for chemical plant performance metrics?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Total cost of production is more than net sales realisation (NSR) at the break-even point.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Key ratios guide financial health checks in process industries. Misinterpreting definitions or break-even conditions can lead to incorrect pricing, budgeting, and investment decisions.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Standard definitions for equity, ROE, and working capital ratios.
  • Break-even point (BEP) implies zero accounting profit.


Concept / Approach:
At BEP, total revenue equals total cost. Therefore, NSR equals the total cost of production. Any statement asserting that total cost exceeds NSR at BEP is incorrect, as that would imply a loss, not break-even.



Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Review BEP: total cost = total revenue, profit = 0.2) Check each statement: (a), (b), and (c) are standard correct definitions.3) Statement (d) claims total cost > NSR at BEP; that would mean negative profit, which contradicts the BEP definition.4) Hence (d) is the wrong statement.


Verification / Alternative check:
Graphical BEP analysis confirms equality of total cost and total revenue at the intersection.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They are correct definitions: equity composition, ROE formula, and working capital turnover are all standard. The added current ratio in option (e) is also correct and widely used.



Common Pitfalls:
Assuming margin at BEP or confusing cash break-even (covering cash costs only) with accounting break-even.



Final Answer:
Total cost of production is more than NSR at the break-even point.

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion