Contribution margin analysis is a process used for analysing the performance and policies towards an outcome. Contribution margin analysis helps in investigating the residual margin after deducting expenses from the revenues. This analysis helps in comparing the amount of cash spun off by different products and services so that it can be determined by the management which product needs to be sold and which product needs to be terminated. Contribution margin analysis is considered a useful way of showing the potential of a product for generating profit. This analysis gives the part of the revenue that covers the fixed costs. The amount that is left behind is the profit of the company. In other words, the concept of contribution margin analysis is considered as one of the fundamental keys to the break-even analysis. Contribution margin analysis helps in separating the fixed costs and profit components that are coming from the sale of a product which in turn is used for determining the selling price range of the product.
The purpose of the contribution margin analysis is to estimate how direct and variable costs of a product are creating an effect on the company’s net income. The main aim of contribution margin analysis is to address the issue of identifying simple or overhead costs that are related to the different production projects. This analysis aids the company in evaluating how the single business products and lines are performed by comparing its contribution margin dollars and percentage. The significance of contribution margin analysis is that the profitability of every product is indicated by this analysis and the various components are also understood by it. This analysis also helps in understanding external and internal factors which influence the income of the company and at the same time existing information are also utilized.
Contribution margin analysis is calculated by considering revenue, variable cost, and the number of units sold. Contribution margin analysis is better explained with the help of an example. Let’s consider a company selling 5000 cups for total revenue of $100000 with a cost of goods sold of $35000 and labour cost of $20000. Hence, the contribution margin is calculated as (100000-35000-20000) = $45000 and the contribution margin per unit is calculated as $45000/5000 = $9. It can be explained with the help of another example. Suppose a business has a revenue of $5000 and direct costs of $4200 then the residual amount of $800 generated can be contributed to the payment of the fixed costs. Hence, the amount of $800 is the contribution that is arising from the operations.
A contribution margin analysis is important as it depicts the money available to meet fixed costs such as rent, utilities, etc. which is paid even when the production is zero or when the output is zero. Contribution margin analysis is important when the price of selling a product is determined by the company. Fixed costs are usually high and so the contribution margin should be large so that the costs of operating a business can be covered. Generally, a low contribution margin denotes a product line that might not be profitable so it is recommended not to make continue the product at its current sales price level unless it is a very high-volume product. It is important to assess the contribution margin analysis as the target number of units that needs to sell for the business to attain the break-even point is determined by dividing the fixed costs by the contribution margin per unit. Contribution margin analysis is also important as it helps in making decisions about which products offered by the business will be more profitable and hence it is become easier to produce with limited resources. The products that have a high contribution margin are generally given more preference.
The contribution margin and the profit margin are used for ascertaining the profitability of the business but are much different from each other. The contribution margin is the sales value of the business less the total variable costs where direct expenses include labour, overhead, and material whereas the profit is the sales of the business subtracted from the expenses of product sold. The contribution margin is calculated by using the formula sales –variable cost/sales whereas the profit margin is calculated by using the formula revenue-cost of goods sold/revenue. The contribution margin analysis is used for examining the per product or profit metric whereas the profit margin is used for investigating the total profit metric. In the computation of contribution margin, only variable costs are considered whereas in the computation of profit margin both fixed and variable expenses that are related to the creation of product are considered. The contribution margin analysis is helpful for the length of time investigation or for multiple scenario analysis whereas profit margin is used for historical calculations or projection with explicit sales value. The contribution analysis is used for ascertaining pricing decisions where a negative contribution margin indicates that the product may not provide any benefit whereas the profit margin is used for showing whether the sales are to the point of taking care of expenses of creation. Another difference between contribution margin and profit is that contribution margin ascertains the margin at different stages of production in which only variable costs are associated whereas profit margin ascertains the costs which are associated with the manufacture of the product. The contribution margin helps in examining the profitability of a product or service whereas the profit margin helps in examining the overall profitability of the company. The contribution margin is generally expressed as a percentage whereas the profit margin is expressed as an absolute value. In the contribution margin, every unit produced and sold for operating expenses is included on the other hand in the profit margin operating expenses such as taxes, sales activities, and salaries are not taken into consideration.
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