What is a 'Break-Even Analysis'

Break-even analysis entails the calculation and examination of the margin of

safety for an entity based on the revenues collected and associated costs. Analyzing
different price levels relating to various levels of demand, an entity uses break-even
analysis to determine what level of sales are needed to cover total fixed costs. A
demand-side analysis would give a seller greater insight regarding selling
capabilities.

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What is a 'Break-Even Analysis'

Break-even analysis entails the calculation and examination of the margin of safety for an
entity based on the revenues collected and associated costs. Analyzing different price
levels relating to various levels of demand, an entity uses break-even analysis to determine
what level of sales are needed to cover total fixed costs. A demand-side analysis would give
a seller greater insight regarding selling capabilities.

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1. Breakeven Point - BEP

2. Cost-Volume Profit Analysis

3. Unit Sales
4. Fixed Cost

5.

BREAKING DOWN 'Break-Even Analysis'

Break-even analysis is useful in the determination of the level of production or in a targeted
desired sales mix. The analysis is for management’s use only as the metric and calculations
are often not required to be disclosed to external sources such as investors, regulators or
financial institutions. Break-even analysis looks at the level of fixed costs relative to the profit
earned by each additional unit produced and sold. In general, a company with lower fixed
costs will have a lower break-even point of sale. For example, a company with $0 of fixed
costs will automatically have broken even upon the sale of the first product assuming
variable costs do not exceed sales revenue. However, the accumulation of variable costs will
limit the leverage of the company as these expenses are incurred for each item sold.

Contribution Margin
The concept of break-even analysis deals with the contribution margin of a product. The
contribution margin is the excess between the selling price of the good and total variable
costs. For example, if a product sells for $100, total fixed costs are $25 per product and total
variable costs are $60 per product, the product has a contribution margin of the product is
$40 ($100 - $60). This $40 reflects the amount of revenue collected to cover fixed costs and
be retained as net profit. Fixed costs are not considered in calculating the contribution
margin.
Formulas for Break-Even Analysis
The calculation of break-even analysis may be performed using two formulas. First, the total
fixed costs are divided the unit contribution margin. In the example above, assume total
company fixed costs are $20,000. With a contribution margin of $40, the break-even point is
500 units ($20,000 divided by $40). Upon the sale of 500 units, all fixed costs will be paid for,
and the company will report a net profit or loss of $0.

Alternatively, the break-even point in sales dollars is calculated by dividing total fixed costs
by the contribution margin ratio. The contribution margin ratio is the contribution margin per
unit divided by the sale price. Using the example above, the contribution margin ratio is 40%
($40 contribution margin per unit divided by $100 sale price per unit). Therefore, the break-
even point in sales dollars is $50,000 ($20,000 total fixed costs divided by 40%). This figured
may be confirmed as the break-even in units (500) multiplied by the sale price ($100) equals
$50,000.

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