Comparative income statements of Spyres Manufacturing Company for Years 9 and 8 are reproduced

below:

Year 9

Year 8

Net sale

$600,000

$500,000

Cost of goods sold

490,000

430,000

Gross margin

110,000

70,000

Operating expenses

101,000

51,000

Income before taxes

9,000

19,000

Income taxes

2,400

5,000

Net income

$ 6,600

$ 14,000

Required:

a. Prepare common size statements showing the percent of each item to net sales for both Year 8 and Year 9.

Include a column reporting the percentage increase or decrease for Year 9 relative to Year 8 (round numbers to

the tenth of 1%).

b. Interpret the trend shown in your percentage calculations of a. What areas identified from this analysis should

be a matter of managerial concern?