Nutmeg Inc. uses the LIFO method to account for inventory. During years in which inventory unit costs are generally rising and in which the company purchases more inventory than it sells to customers, its reported gross profit margin will most likely be:

A. lower than it would be if the company used the FIFO method.

B. higher than it would be if the company used the FIFO method.

C. about the same as it would be if the company used the FIFO method.

Assume the companies use a periodic inventory system.