Evaluating Operating Performance The following information was taken from the 2005 annual report of Hogar Products, Inc. The company manufactures a wide variety of household products.

Year ended December 31

2005

2004

2003

(In millions, except per share data)

Net sales

$3,720

$3,336

$2,973

Cost of products sold

2,548

2,260

2,020

Gross income

$1,172

$1,076

$953

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

583

498

462

Trade names and goodwill amortization

55

32

24

Operating income

$534

$546

$467

Nonoperating (income) expenses:

Interest expense

60

76

59

Other, net

211

15

18

Income before taxes

$685

$485

$426

Income taxes

289

192

169

Net income

$396

$293

$257

Earnings per share:

Basic

$2.44

$1.81

$1.60

Diluted

$2.38

$1.80

$1.60

Required

A. How much did sales grow from 2003 to 2004 and from 2004 to 2005?

B. Restate each item on the income statement (except earnings per share) as a percent of net sales. [Hint: Sales always =100%; 2005 cost of product sold =68.5% ($2,548 _ $3,720).)

C. What have the changes in relative revenues and expenses had on operating income and net income over the three year period?

D. What conclusions can you draw about the company’s operating leverage? Are most of its costs fixed or variable?