Merline Manufacturing makes its product for $75 per unit and sells it for $150 per unit. The sales staff receives a 10%commission on the sale of each unit. Its December income statement follows.

Management expects December’s results to be repeated in January, February, and March of 2020 without any changes in strategy. Management, however, has an alternative plan. It believes that unit sales will increase at a rate of 10% each month for the next three months (beginning with January) if the item’s selling price is reduced to $125 per unit and advertising expenses are increased by 15% and remain at that level for all three months. The cost of its product will remain at $75 per unit, the sales staff will continue to earn a 10% commission, and the remaining expenses will stay the same.

Required

1. Prepare budgeted income statements for each of the months of January, February, and March that show the expected results from implementing the proposed changes. Use a three-column format, with one column for each month.

2. Is net income for March expected to increase with the proposed strategy changes?

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MERLINE MANUFACTURING Income Statement For Month Ended December 31, 2019 $2,250,000 Sales .. Cost of goods sold . Gross profit... 1,125,000 1,125,000 Operating expenses Sales commissions (10%) 225,000 Advertising ... Store rent ..... Administrative salaries .... 250,000 30,000 45,000 Depreciation-Office equipment 50,000 Other expenses 10,000 Total expenses 610,000 $ 515,000 Net income..