a) Gross profit = $500,000 and Expenses = $100,000 for Year 2.

b) Year 2 GPM = $500k / $1,000k = 50.0%

Year 1 GPM = $400k / $850k = 47.05%

Year 2 NPM = $400k / $1,000k = 40.0%

Year 1 NPM = $360k / $850k = 42.35%

The Year 2 GPM figure shows that for every $100 of sales, $50 is gross profit. The Year 2 NPM figures prove that for each $100 sold, $40 is generated as net profit. While the GPM has improved, NPM (the relatively more important figure for profitability) has declined; due to the large increase in expenses from $90K to $100,000 (11.1% increase). Overall, these figures show healthy profitability at JKL Ltd, although barely limited information is provided.

c) Definition of profitability (not profit): Profitability ratios examine the profit of a firm in relation to other figures, such as sales returns in order to assess the monetary performance of the business. Further information might include: forecast profits and sales figures; or the amount of capital invested in the firm. Other information could include the analysis-off and use:

• Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
• Benchmarking data
• Looking at profit in relation to the size of the firm
• Objectives and targets of the organization