Watauga Company has an inventory write$-$down to record and is deciding whether to use the loss method or the cost$-$of$-$goods$-$sold method. Compared to the cost$-$of$-$goods$-$sold method, the loss method will report

Select answer from the options below

lower gross profit and net income.

higher gross profit, but net income will be the same.

higher gross profit and lower operating income.

lower gross profit, but operating income will be the same.