Flower Company manufactures and sells a single product that has a positive contribution margin. If the selling price and variable costs both decrease by 5% and fixed costs do not change, then what would be the effect on the contribution margin per unit and the contribution margin ratio?

a. Contribution margin per unit will fall

b. Contribution margin ratio will remain the same.

Explanation:

To show this let us assume that we have:

Selling price per unit = $100

Variable cost per unit = $60

Therefore,

Contribution margin per unit = $40

Contribution margin ratio = $40 / $100 = 0.40, or 40%

If the selling price and variable costs both decrease by 5% and fixed costs do not change, we have:

Selling price per unit = $100 * 95% = $95

Variable cost per unit = $60 * 95% = $57

Contribution margin per unit = $95 - $57 = $38

Contribution margin ratio = $38 / $95 = 0.40, or 40%

From the above, contribution margin per unit fall from $40 to $38, while contribution margin ratio will remain the same at 40%.