Practice 50 CFA Level I Economic Analysis calculation questions with answers and detailed explanations. Test your knowledge of key economic concepts, work through step-by-step calculations, and strengthen your preparation for the CFA exam.
Answer
A. $280,000.
Explanation
Gain (or loss) on sale = Sale proceeds – (Acquisition cost – Accumulated depreciation) -$400,000 = Sale proceeds – ($980,000 – $300,000)
Sale proceeds = $280,000
Distributions to owners $195
Net income $350
Beginning retained earnings $625
Beta Corporation’s ending retained earnings is:
Answer
B. $780 million.
Explanation
Ending retained earnings = Beg. retained earnings + Net income – Distributions to owners
Ending retained earnings = $625 + $350 – $195 = $780
of $85,000. Payment is due in 60 days. The total cost of the products was $67,000. The
net change in Gamma Corporation’s total assets on 30 September 2016 is:
Answer
B. $18,000.
Explanation
$85,000 – $67,000 = $18,000.
Accounts receivable (an asset) increases by $85,000. The balance in inventory (an asset) decreases by $67,000. The net increase in assets is $18,000.
Revenue $6,115
Expenses $3,770
Beginning retained earnings $510
Liabilities at year-end $985
Contributed capital at year-end $440
Dividends $0
Effective tax rate 35%
Delta Corporation’s total assets at year-end are:
Answer
C. $4,280 million.
Explanation
Assets = Liabilities at year-end + Contributed capital at year-end + Beginning retained earnings + Revenues — Expenses – Dividends
Assets = $985 + $440 + $510 + $6,115 – $3,770 = $4,280
face value of the bonds is $1 million, and they have a carrying value of $990,000. Epsilon
Corporation’s income statement will report:
Answer
B. a gain of $115,000.
Explanation
Gain (or loss) = Carrying value – Amount paid
Gain (or loss) = $990,000 – $875,000 = $115,000
In March 2016, Zeta Corporation purchased 6,200 units of product for a total cost of
$118,000. In May 2016, the company purchased 3,800 additional units for a total cost of
$74,000. Throughout the year, the company sold 7,500 units, generating revenue of
$180,000.
According to the FIFO method, Zeta Corporation’s cost of goods sold for 2016 is:
Answer
B. $143,297.
Explanation
Step 1: Determine the per unit cost
March 2016 purchase = $118,000/6,200 units = $19.03 per unit
May 2016 purchase = $74,000/3,800 units = $19.47 per unit
Step 2: According to the FIFO method, the first 6,200 units sold came from the March purchase at $19.03 per unit.
The next 1,300 units sold came from the May purchase at $19.47 per unit.
($19.03)(6,200 units) = $117,986
($19.47)(1,300 units) = $25,311
$117,986 + $25,311 = $143,297
2016 is:
Answer
A. $144,000.
Explanation
Step 1: ($118,000 + $74,000)/(6,200 units + 3,800 units) = $19.20
Step 2: ($19.20)(7,500 units) = $144,000
Answer
B. $2.60
Explanation
Basic EPS = (Net income – Preferred dividends) /Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic EPS = $2,250,000/[800,000 shares + (0.5)(130,000 shares)] = $2.60
In 2016, Kappa Corporation reported a tax expense of $780,000 and interest expense of $2.47 million. Taxes payable decreased by $520,000, and interest payable increased by $390,000 over the year.
Based on the information provided, the amount of interest paid was:
Answer
A. $2.08 million.
Explanation
Interest paid = Interest expense – Increase in interest payable
Interest paid = $2.47 million – $390,000 = $2.08 million
Answer
C. $1.3 million.
Explanation
Taxes paid = Tax expense + Decrease in taxes payable
Taxes paid = $780,000 + $520,000 = $1.3 million
Total assets increased by $12.1 million, including an increase of $1.1 million in inven- tory. Total liabilities increased by $9.9 million, including an increase of $440,000 in accounts payable. Based on this information, the cash paid to suppliers was:
Answer
C. $18.26 million.
Explanation
Cash paid to suppliers = Cost of goods sold + Increase in inventory — Increase in accounts payable
Cash paid to suppliers = $17.6 million + $1.1 million – $440,000 = $18.26 million
Cash on hand $85,000
Short-term marketable investments $74,000
Receivables $66,000
Daily cash expenditures $8,000
Omega Corporation’s defensive interval ratio is:
Answer
C. 28.1 days.
Explanation
Defensive interval ratio = (Cash + Short-term marketable investments + Receivables) /Daily cash expenditures
Defensive interval ratio = ($85,000 + $74,000 + $66,000) /$8,000
Defensive interval ratio = $225,000/$8,000 = 28.1 days
and $44,250 for 2015 and 2016, respectively. Alpha Inc.’s receivables turnover is:
Answer
B. 8.6.
Explanation
Receivables turnover = Revenue/Average receivables
Receivables turnover = $330,750/[($32,500 + $44,250) /2]
Receivables turnover = $330,750/$38,375 = 8.6
Answer
C. $368,190.
Explanation
Step 1: $225,000/$550,000 = 0.4091
Step 2: (0.4091)($900,000) = $368,190
Common stock $205,000
Retained earnings $230,000
Long-term debt $615,000
Effective tax rate 35%
Gamma Inc.’s debt-to-capital ratio is:
Answer
A. 0.59
Explanation
Debt-to-capital ratio = Total debt/(Total debt + Shareholders’ equity)
Debt-to-capital ratio = $615,000/($615,000 + $205,000 + $230,000) = 0.59
Delta Inc. provides the following information for the fiscal year:
Revenue $51,500,000
Cost of goods sold $29,000,000
Other operating expenses $6,500,000
Interest expense $1,100,000
Tax expense $1,600,000
Effective tax rate 28%
Based on the information provided, Delta Inc.’s gross profit is:
Answer
C. $22,500,000.
Explanation
Gross profit = Revenue – Cost of goods sold
Gross profit = $51,500,000 – $29,000,000 = $22,500,000
Answer
B. $13,300,000.
Explanation
Net income = Revenue – Expenses
Net income = $51,500,000 – $29,000,000 – $6,500,000 – $1,100,000 – $1,600,000
Net income = $13,300,000
Revenue $2,875,000
Cost of goods sold $1,950,000
Return of goods sold $160,000
Cash collected $1,425,000
Effective tax rate 30%
Under the accrual basis of accounting, Epsilon Inc’s net revenue is:
Answer
C. $2,715,000.
Explanation
Net revenue = Revenue – Returns and adjustments
Net revenue = $2,875,000 – $160,000 = $2,715,000
In January 2016, Zeta Inc. purchased equipment for $490,000. The equipment has an es- timated useful life of eight years and an estimated residual value of $20,000.
According to the straight-line method, in 2017 Zeta Inc. will claim depreciation of:
Answer
A. $58,750.
Explanation
Annual depreciation expense = (Cost – Residual value) /Estimated useful life Annual depreciation expense = ($490,000 – $20,000)/8 years = $58,750
Answer
C. $122,500.
Explanation
Step 1: Straight-line rate = 1/8 = 0.125
Step 2: Double declining rate = (0.125)(2) = 0.25
Step 3: Depreciation = (0.25)($490,000) = $122,500
Answer
A. $1.1 million.
Explanation
Net pension obligation = Pension obligation – Pension assets
Net pension obligation = $4.4 million – $3.3 million = $1.1 million
Total revenue agreed to by contract $6,600,000
Total anticipated cost $4,000,000
Costs incurred during 2016: $900,000
If Kappa Construction Company estimates percentage completed based on costs incurred as a percent of total estimated costs, then according to the completed contract method, in 2016 the company will report revenue of:
Answer
A. $0.
Explanation
According to the completed contract method, no revenue is reported until the project is completed.
Answer
C. 1.86.
Explanation
Financial leverage ratio = Total assets/Total equity
Financial leverage ratio = $2.6/$1.4 = 1.86
Omikron Inc. provides the following information on their consolidated year-end financial
statement:
Cash and cash equivalents $150,000
Short-term marketable securities $90,000
Receivables $195,000
Other non-financial assets $65,000
Current liabilities $200,000
Non-current liabilities $40,000
Based on the information provided, Omikron Inc.’s quick ratio is:
Answer
B. 2.18.
Explanation
Quick ratio = (Cash + Short-term marketable securities + Receivables) /Current liabilities
Quick ratio = ($150,000 + $90,000 + $195,000)/$200,000
Quick ratio = $435,000/$200,000 = 2.18
Answer
C. 1.20.
Explanation
Cash ratio = (Cash + Short-term marketable securities) /Current liabilities
Cash ratio = ($150,000 + $90,000)/$200,000
Cash ratio = $240,000/$200,000 = 1.20
Shareholders’ equity $57,500
Fixed assets $48,200
Total debt $44,100
Revenue $66,900
Expenses $53,800
Sigma Inc.’s debt-to-capital ratio is:
Answer
A. 43.4%.
Explanation
Debt-to-capital ratio = Total debt/(Total debt + Shareholders’ equity)
Debt-to-capital = $44,100/($44,100 + $57,500)
Debt-to-capital = $44,100/$101,600 = 0.434 = 43.4%
Earnings for the year ended 31 December 2015 $48,000
Earnings for the six months ended 30 June 2015 $22,500
Earnings for the six months ended 30 June 2016 $26,000
If Lambda Inc.’s fiscal year ends 31 December, the trailin period ended 31 December 2016 is:
Answer
C. $51,500.
Explanation
Trailing 12 month earnings = Earnings from most recent period + Earnings from most recent year — Earnings from the corresponding period 12 months before the most recent period
Trailing 12 month earnings = $26,000 + $48,000 – $22,500 = $51,500
Answer
B. $24,000.
Explanation
Step 1: ($300,000 – $180,000) /$300,000 = 0.4
Step 2: (0.4)($60,000) = $24,000
Purchase price $65,000
Freight delivery $6,500
Installation $2,300
Testing $1,900
Repainting the factory $800
The total cost of the machine to be shown on Beta Manufacturing Company’s balance
sheet is:
Answer
B. $75,700.
Explanation
$65,000 + $6,500 + $2,300 + $1,900 = $75,700
Repainting the factory is not included because it is not necessary for the machine to be
ready to use.
A research analyst provides the following data for Gamma LLC:
31 December 2015 | 31 December 2016
Gross investment in fixed assets | $900,000 | $900,000
Accumulated depreciation | $310,000 | $400,000
Based on the information provided, the average age of Gamma LLC’s fixed assets at the
end of 2016 is:
Answer
A. 4.44 years.
Explanation
Average age = Accumulated depreciation/Depreciation expense
Average age = $400,000/($400,000 – $310,000) = 4.44 years
Answer
C. 10 years.
Explanation
Average depreciable life = Ending gross investment/Depreciation expense
Average depreciable life = $900,000/($400,000 – $310,000) = 10 years
Answer
B. $710,000.
Explanation
Cash received from customers = Revenue – Increase in accounts receivable
Cash received from customers = $800,000 – $90,000 = $710,000
Acquisition cost of equipment $95,000
Acquisition date 1 January 2013
Estimated residual value at acquisition date $11,250
Expected useful life . 8 years
Depreciation method Straight-line
The gain (or loss) reported on the sale of equipment is:
Answer
B. a gain of $19,375.
Explanation
Gain (or loss) on sale = Sale proceeds – (Acquisition cost — Accumulated depreciation)
Gain (or loss) on sale = $72,500 — {95,000 – [(($95,000 – 11,250) /8 years) x 4 years]}
Gain (or loss) on sale = $72,500 – ($95,000 – $41,875) = $19,375
Zeta LLC reported the following inventory transactions for the year:
Date | Purchase | Sales
12 February 2016 | 60 units at $42 | 18 units at $49
18 April 2016 | 24 units at $56 | 49 units at $63
27 October 2016 | 126 units at $70 | 84 units at $84
Assuming there was no inventory at the beginning of the year, the year-end inventory using the FIFO method is:
Answer
C. $4,130.
Explanation
Step 1: Units in year-end inventory = Units available for sale – Units sold
Units in year-end inventory = (60 + 24 + 126) – (18 + 49 + 84)
Units in year-end inventory = 59
Step 2: According to the FIFO method, units from the October batch would remain in inventory: (59 units) ($70) = $4,130
Answer
A. $2,478.
Explanation
Step 1: Units in year-end inventory = Units available for sale – Units sold
Units in year-end inventory = (60 + 24 + 126) – (18 + 49 + 84)
Units in year-end inventory = 59
Step 2: According to the LIFO method, units from the February batch would remain in –
inventory: (59 units) ($42) = $2,478
Answer
A. $3.9 million.
Explanation
Cash paid in salaries = Beg. salaries payable + Salaries expense – Ending salaries payable
Cash paid in salaries = $800,000 + $3.6 million – $500,000 = $3.9 million
Cash flow from operating activities $425,000
Interest paid $55,000
Capital expenditures $95,000
Tax rate 28%
Kappa LLC’s free cash flow is:
Answer
B. $369,600.
Explanation
Free cash flow = Cash flow from operating activities + Interest paid (1 – Tax rate) – Capital expenditures
Free cash flow = $425,000 + $55,000(1 – 0.28) – $95,000 = $369,600
31 December 2015 | 31 December 2016
Inventory reported on balance sheet | $375,000 | $415,000
LIFO reserve | $20,000 | $30,000
To convert the LIFO method to FIFO, Lambda LLC’s inventory at 31 December 2016 would be:
Answer
C. $445,000.
Explanation
The LIFO reserve must be added to the inventory value.
$415,000 + $30,000 = $445,000
A research analyst provides the following information for Omikron LLC’s fiscal year:
Revenue $550,000
Cost of sales $325,000
Gross profit $225,000
Marketing costs $55,000
Operating income $170,000
Interest and other expense, net $20,000
Earnings before taxes $150,000
Based on the information provided, Omikron LLC’s gross profit margin is:
Answer
B. 40.9%.
Explanation
Gross profit margin = Gross profit/Revenue
Gross profit margin = $225,000/$550,000 = 0.409 = 40.9%
Answer
B. 30.9%.
Explanation
Operating profit margin = Operating income/Revenue
Operating profit margin = $170,000/$550,000 = 0.309 = 30.9%
Answer
A. 27.3%.
Explanation
Pretax margin = Earnings before taxes/Revenue
Pretax margin = $150,000/$550,000 = 0.273 = 27.3%
Net income $660,000
Depreciation $35,000
Increase in accounts receivable $110,000
Increase in accounts payable $120,000
Sigma LLC’s cash flow from operations is:
Answer
B. $705,000.
Explanation
Cash flow from operations = Net income + Depreciation – Increase in accounts receivable + Increase in accounts payable
Cash flow from operations = $660,000 + $35,000 – $110,000 + $120,000 = $705,000
Net income $750,000
Preferred dividends declared and paid $150,000
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 500,000
Omega LLC’s basic EPS is:
Answer
A. $1.20.
Explanation
Basic EPS = (Net income – Preferred dividends) /Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic EPS = ($750,000 – $150,000) /500,000 shares = $1.20
Answer
C. $4.1 million.
Explanation
Owners’ equity = Contributed capital + Retained earnings
Owners’ equity = $1.3 million + $2.8 million = $4.1 million
Cost to purchase new equipment $90,000
Proceeds from selling old equipment $80,000
Gain from selling old equipment $30,000
Proceeds from issuing debt $85,000
Beta Co.’s statement of cash flows would report net cash flow from investing activities equal to:
Answer
A. -$10,000.
Explanation
Net cash flow from investing activities = -90,000 + $80,000 = -$10,000
In 2016, Gamma Real Estate Co. sold property for $1.8 million. They originally purchased
the property in 2008 for $1.2 million. The company received $500,000 as a down payment
from the buyer, with the remainder of the sales price to be received over seven years.
If the installment method is used, the amount of profit that will be recognized attributable to the down payment is:
Answer
B. $166,667.
Explanation
Step 1: ($1.8 million – $1.2 million)/$1.8 million = 0.333
Step 2: (0.333)($500,000) = $166,667
Answer
A. $0.
Explanation
Gamma Real Estate Co. will not recognize any profit attributable to the down payment
because the cash paid by the buyer does not exceed the original acquisition cost of $1.2
million.
Liabilities at year-end $500,000
Contributed capital at year-end $100,000
Beginning retained earnings $150,000
Revenue during the year $300,000
Expenses during the year $200,000
Dividends paid during the year $50,000
Zeta Co.’s total assets at year-end are:
Answer
A. $800,000.
Explanation
Total assets = Liabilities + Contributed capital + Beginning retained earnings + Revenue – Expenses – Dividends
Total assets = $500,000 + $100,000 + $150,000 + 300,000 – $200,000 – $50,000
Total assets = $800,000
Answer
A. $30,000.
Explanation
Bypassed amount = Ending shareholders’ equity – (Beginning shareholders’ equity + Net income – Cash dividends)
Bypassed amount = $900,000 – ($800,000 + $120,000 – $50,000) = $30,000
Answer
C. $174,000.
Explanation
Pasul 1:
Total revenue = Total expenses + Net income
Total revenue = $72,000 + $90,000 = $162,000
Pasul 2:
Cash received from customers = Total revenue + Decrease in accounts receivable
Cash received from customers = $162,000 + $12,000 = $174,000
