Constructing index numbers - aggregates method, Financial Management

Assignment Help:

Aggregates Method

Under the aggregates method of constructing an index number, we could have unweighted aggregates index and the weighted aggregates index.

Unweighted Aggregates Index

An unweighted aggregates index is calculated by totalling the current year/given year's elements and then dividing the result by the sum of the same elements during the base period. To construct a price index, the following mathematical formula may be used

Unweighted Aggregates Price Index = 2024_Aggregates method.png x 100

where,     

 

369_Aggregates method1.png

 =  Sum of all elements in the composite for current year

1340_Aggregates method2.png

 =

Sum of all elements in the composite for base year

This is the simplest method of constructing index numbers. The example demonstrates the application of an unweighted index.

Construction of Unweighted Price Index

Elements in the composite

Prices (in Rs.)

 

 

2000

2001

 

(P0)

(P1)


Oranges (1 dozen)

20

28

Milk (1 liter)

5

8

LPG Cylinder

76

100


 

101

136


Unweighted aggregates price index = 1607_Aggregates method3.png




134.65
       

Above we measured changes in general price levels on the basis of changes in prices of a few items. While the year 2000 was taken as the base year, a comparison has been made between the prices of 2001 and that of the base year 2000. As evident, the price index was 134.65 which means that the prices rose by 34.65 percent from 2000 to 2001. By no means should this price index be interpreted as a reflection of the price changes of all goods and services as this calculation is a rough estimate. On inclusion of other items/elements and varying weights in the composite, with 2000 as the base year and 2001 as the current year, there is every possibility that the calculated price index would be different from the price index calculated earlier. This factor can be cited as one of the drawbacks of the simple unweighted index. The unweighted index does not reflect the reality since the price changes are not linked to any usage/consumption levels. On the other hand, a weighted index attaches weights according to their significance and hence is preferred to the unweighted index.

To make this clear, let us calculate the price index with the same data provided above but by changing the milk consumption from 1 liter to 100 liters. The following table provides the calculation of the price index.

Unweighted Price Index

                                                       (Rs. in crore)

 

Elements in the composite

Prices (in Rs.)

 

2000

2001

 

 

(P0)

(P1)


Oranges (1 dozen)

20

28

Milk (100 liters)

500

800

LPG Cylinder

76

100


 

596

928


Unweighted aggregates price index = 404_Aggregates method4.png



 = 155.70

Merely by changing the milk consumption in the composite, the unweighted price index changed from 134.65 to 155.70. As a result of ensuring that equal importance is given to all items in the composite irrespective of the consumption, the unweighted aggregates never gained much acceptance.

An unweighted aggregates quantity index and, an unweighted aggregates value index can be calculated on similar lines as calculated for price index. A mere substitution of quantities or values for prices in the equation   357_Aggregates method5.png  would suffice.


Related Discussions:- Constructing index numbers - aggregates method

Define the benefits of the jit inventory control system, What are the benef...

What are the benefits of the JIT inventory control system? The just-in-time that is abbreviated as JIT inventory control system lowers inventory carrying costs and tends to inc

Financial algebra, can you help me subtract checks and balances in financia...

can you help me subtract checks and balances in financial algebra

Explain about working capital funding policy, When considering how working ...

When considering how working capital is funding it is useful to divide assets into permanent current assets, noncurrent assets and fluctuating current assets. Permanent current ass

Wcr expense ratios, Scenario:  ABC Company sells widgets in three varietie...

Scenario:  ABC Company sells widgets in three varieties (blue, red, and yellow) but has lost money for the past three years.  Competitive intelligence shows the Company's products

Forms of dividend, FORMS OF DIVIDEND Cash Dividend Many Companies...

FORMS OF DIVIDEND Cash Dividend Many Companies pay dividend in cash. Often cash dividend may be supplemented by a bonus issue (stock dividend).  When the company chooses

Inflated budgeted expense account, Write down what processes and data you w...

Write down what processes and data you would analyse when looking at the following scenarios and write down any improvements you could include to ensure that the problem would be l

Objectives of working capital management, What are the objectives of workin...

What are the objectives of working capital management? Briefly explain the various elements of operating cycle.

What is the tolerable error, What is the Tolerable error In addition t...

What is the Tolerable error In addition to looking at material differences individually the auditor must list all the differences (material or not) and consider in total wheth

Explain firm determines the optimal level of current assets, Explain how a ...

Explain how a firm determines the optimal level of current assets. The optimal level of working capital is defined by finding the amount that balances the requirement for liquidi

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd