Nagy Corporation’s International Division consists of two of Nagy’s subsidiaries. One of the subsidiaries operates in the United Kingdom and the other on the European continent.
The U.K. subsidiary had identical sales revenue amounts, as measured in British pounds, in 20X1 and 20X2 and reported a 25% gross profit margin in both years. Similarly, the European subsidiary’s sales revenue was the same in 20X1 and 20X2 when measured in euros. It reported a 33.33% gross profit margin in both years. Both subsidiaries account for their inventories under FIFO.
Assume the British pound was rising steadily in value versus the U.S. dollar throughout 20X1 and 20X2. Assume the euro was declining steadily in value versus the U.S. dollar throughout 20X1 and 20X2.
Required:
1. If Nagy uses the current rate method to translate the British subsidiary’s financial statements into U.S. dollars, how is the British subsidiary’s 20X2 gross margin percentage, based on its U.S. dollar financial statements, most likely to compare to its gross margin percentage based on the 20X2 British pound financial statements? Explain.
2. If Nagy uses the temporal method to translate the British subsidiary’s financial statements into U.S. dollars, how is the British subsidiary’s 20X2 gross margin percentage, based on its U.S. dollar financial statements, most likely to compare to its gross margin percentage based on the 20X2 British pound financial statements? Explain.
3. If Nagy uses the current rate method to translate both subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars, how is the gross margin percentage for the International Division in 20X2 most likely to compare to the gross margin percentage of the International Division in 20X1? Explain.
