Answer:
a. True
Explanation:
Project management can be defined as the process of designing, planning, developing, leading and execution of a project plan or activities using a set of skills, tools, knowledge, techniques and experience to achieve the set goals and objectives of creating a unique product or service.
Generally, projects are considered to be temporary because they usually have a start-time and an end-time to complete, execute or implement the project plan.
Furthermore, the main purpose of project management is working toward a common goal.
This ultimately implies that, project managers should ensure adequate attention and time is taken to identify, analyze and manage capital, raw materials, people, system of tasks and other resources, so as to effectively and efficiently achieve a common goal with all project stakeholders.
The fundamentals of Project Management includes;
1. Project initiation
2. Project planning
3. Project execution
4. Monitoring and controlling of the project.
5. Adapting and closure of project.
In the execution of a project, delaying a task normally affects the start or finishing time of the other tasks (successors) in a project.
The amount of time that is permitted for an activity to be delayed without delaying the early start date of any immediately following (succeeding) activities refers to the free slack or having an adverse effect on entire project.
A project schedule can be defined as a plan that comprises of the deliverables, activities and milestones with respect to a project, especially by including the intended start and finish dates.
The time for the implementation or execution of a project can be fast-tracked by a project manager.
For example, you can fast-track a design-to-production project by overlapping the design and production phases; especially by moving on to construction only after completing the design phase.
On December 31, 2020, Lipton, Inc. sold $3,000,000 (face value) of bonds. The bonds are dated December 31, 2020, pay interest annually on December 31, and will mature on December 31, 2020 The following schedule was prepared by the accountant for 2020 Annual Interest Period Interest to Interest be paid Expense Amortization Unamortized Amount $75,000 51.750 Bond Carrying Value $2,925,000 2,948,250 1 $240,000 $263,250 $23,250 On the basis of the above information, answer the following questions What is the stated interest rate for this bond issue? Stated interest rate SHOW LIST OF ACCOUNTS What is the market interest rate for this bond issun? Market interest rate 5 What is the market interest rate for this bond issue? Market interest rate % SHOW LIST OF ACCOUNTS What was the selling price of the bonds as a percentage of the face value? (Round answer to 1 decimal place, e.g. 52.7.) Selling price SHOW LIST OF ACCOUNTS tudy Prepare the journal entry to record the sale of the bond issue on December 31, 2020. (Credit account titles are autofnatically indented wh manually.) Debit Date Account Titles and Explanation Dec 31, 2020 Credit SHOW LIST OF ACCOUNTS Prepare the journal entry to record the payment of interest and amortization of discount on December 31, 2021. (Credit account titles an entered. Do not indent manually.) Account Titles and Explanation Debit Dec 31, 2021 Date Credit ly SHOW LIST OF ACCOUNTS
Answer:
Lipton, Inc.
1. Stated interest = Annual interest/Face value of bonds * 100
= $240,000/$3,000,000 * 100
= 8%
2. The market interest rate for this bond issue = Interest Expense/Price of issued bonds * 100
= $263,250/$2,925,000 * 100
= 9%
3. The selling price of the bonds as a percentage of the face value
= $2,925,000/$3,000,000 * 100
= 97,5%
4. Journal Entries:
Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit
Dec 31, 2020 Cash $2,925,000
Bonds Discounts 75,000
Bonds Payable $3,000,000
To record the issuance of the bonds at a discount.
5. Journal Entries:
Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit
Dec 31, 2021 Interest Expense $263,250
Amortization of bond discounts $23,250
Cash $240,000
To record the payment of interest and amortization of discount.
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
December 31, 2020
Face value of issued bonds = $3,000,000
Interest payment = December 31 annually
Unamortized Amount = $75,000
Price of issued bonds = $2,925,000 ($3,000,000 - $75,000)
Discount on bonds = $75,000 ($3,000,000 - $2,925,000)
Schedule:
2020 Annual Interest Interest Expense Amortization Bond Carrying Value
$2,925,000
1 $240,000 $263,250 $23,250 2,948,250
1. Stated interest = Annual interest/Face value of bonds * 100
= $240,000/$3,000,000 * 100
= 8%
2. The market interest rate for this bond issue = Interest Expense/Price of issued bonds * 100
= $263,250/$2,925,000 * 100
= 9%
3. The selling price of the bonds as a percentage of the face value
= $2,925,000/$3,000,000 * 100
= 97,5%
Analysis:
December 31, 2020:
Cash $2,925,000 Bonds Discounts $75,000 Bonds Payable $3,000,000
December 31, 2021:
Interest Expense $263,250 Amortization of bond discounts $23,250 Cash $240,000
Identify the following costs as direct materials (DM), direct labor (DL), or factory overhead (FO) for a magazine publisher: a. Staples used to bind magazines b. Wages of printing machine employees c. Maintenance on printing machines
Answer:
Staples used to bind magazines
Direct materials
Wages of printing machine employees
Direct Labor
Maintenance on printing machines
Factory Overhead
Paper used in the magazine
Direct Materials
Explanation:
The given answers above are correctly grouped based on Direct Materials, Factory Overhead, and Direct Labor.
Leisure Enterprise’s total cost of producing speedboats is given by TC = 10 Q 3 – 4 Q 2 + 25 Q + 500. On the basis of this information, the marginal cost of producing the 25th speedboat is:
Answer:
The marginal cost of producing the 25th speedboat is 18,575.
Explanation:
Note that the given Leisure Enterprise’s total cost (TC) of producing speedboats is correctly stated as follows:
TC = 10Q^3 - 4Q^2 + 25^Q + 500 …….………….. (1)
Where Q represents the quantity of speedboats produced.
To obtain the marginal cost (MC) of producing speedboats, equation (1) is differentiated with respect to Q as follows:
MC = dTC/dQ = 30Q^2 - 8Q + 25 ………………… (2)
Finding the marginal cost (MC) of producing the 25th speedboat implies that Q = 25.
Substituting Q = 25 into equation (2), we have:
MC = (30 * 25^2) - (8 * 25) + 25 = 18,575
Therefore, the marginal cost of producing the 25th speedboat is 18,575.
Networked organizations are so closely linked online that each can find out what the others are doing instantaneously, as an event takes place. These organizations operate
Answer: b. in real time
Explanation:
When something is said to operate in real time, it means that is is happening instantaneously. Networked organizations that are so closely linked that their actions are seen instantaneously are therefore operating in real time.
These organizations can be in multiple countries but doing work on a similar platform. For instance, people around the world could be working on a single Go-0gle Sheets file and seeing the changes they all make in real time.
Networked organizations are so closely linked online that each can find out what the others are doing instantaneously, as an event takes place. These organizations operate in real-time. Hence option B is correct.
The key characteristic of networked organizations is their ability to access and exchange information rapidly, allowing them to respond quickly to changes and make informed decisions.
In networked organizations, individuals, teams, departments, or even entire organizations are connected through digital networks and communication platforms.
This enables them to share data, knowledge, and resources in real-time, fostering collaboration, coordination, and synergy among different entities.
Learn more about networked organizations here:
brainly.com/question/32561499
#SPJ6
Networked organizations are so closely linked online that each can find out what the others are doing instantaneously, as an event takes place. These organizations operate
a. as inverted organizations.
b. in real time
c. as digital natives
Bella Bags is a British company that sells luxury leather purses manufactured in London. Currently, its products are carried at high-end department stores all across Europe. The company prides itself on its exceptional customer service. However, the company has been criticized in the past for carrying only two designs of bags. There is currently growing market demand for high-end luxury accessories. Bella Bags faces fierce competition from established luxury brands. Which of the following best characterizes an actionable strategy for Bella Bags that works on reducing the company's weaknesses to avoid threats?
A) Reduce the threat of high competition by expanding the product line and offering more variety
B) Promote the company's exceptional customer service to leverage the increasing demand for luxury goods
C) Reduce the threat of high competition by promoting the company's narrow product offering
D) Reduce the threat of high competition by leveraging the increasing demand for luxury goods
Answer:
A
Explanation:
The following information is available for Jorgensen Company: a. The Cash Budget for March shows a bank loan of $10,000 and an ending cash balance of $48,000. b. The Sales Budget for March indicates sales of $120,000. Accounts receivable is expected to be 70% of March sales.
Answer:
Accounts receivable is
Explanation:
Expected accounts receivable is 70% of sales amount. The sales budget is $120,000 then accounts receivable will be $84,000. The rest of sales will be in cash, so the cash collection for the month of march will be $36,000. The new cash balance will be $36,000 + $48,000 = 84,000.
Explain the difference between the concepts of Business Management and Technology Management. Provide examples.
Answer:
Explanation:
There is a difference between business management and technology management.
Business management refers to managing the organization's business perspective so that the direct business objectives of the organization is served.
Business management involves managing the domain, employees, looking after the business processes of an organization, etc. whereas
While technology management is used to make the business process simple and convenient through various aspects like managing the technical aspect of each and every business process and that is possible by having details about the technical aspects that are involved in all the business process of the organization.
For an organization to be successful it should possess all the required management techniques that include the business and technical aspects both.
Today the way of doing business has changed a lot and hence the organizations need to be quite diligent and effective in order to sustain and remain competitive in the industry.
A project with an initial investment of $461,300 will generate equal annual cash flows over its 10-year life. The project has a required return of 8.1 percent. What is the minimum annual cash flow required to accept the project
Answer:
The minimum annual cash flow required to accept the project is:
= $63,883.17
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Initial investment cost of the project = $461,300
Project's estimated life = 10 years
Project's required return rate = 8.1%
The minimum annual cash flow required to accept the project is derived from an online financial calculator as follows:
N (# of periods) 10
I/Y (Interest per year) 8.1
PV (Present Value) 461300
FV (Future Value) 0
Results:
PMT = $63,883.17
Sum of all periodic payments = $638,831.69
Total Interest = $177,531.69
If a company is operating in a developing or less-developed country, which type of challenge can arise that would affect the shipping and movement of physical goods in a country
Answer: b. an infrastructure challenge
Explanation:
Developing countries are not as infrautructurally advanced as developed countries. They do not always have good roads, airports in many areas or adequate railway networks.
When goods are being shipped therefore, these pose a problem to the company doing the shipping as they would have to surmount these challenges in order to get their products from point A to be. For instance, as a result of bad roads, more money would have to be spent maintaining trucks that get damaged.
Gotham City acquires $25,000 of inventory on November 1, 20X7, having held no inventory previously. On December 31, 20X7, the end of Gotham City's fiscal year, a physical count shows $8,000 still in stock. During 20X8, $6,500 of this inventory is used, resulting in a $1,500 remaining balance of supplies on December 31, 20X8.
Based on the preceding information, what would be the correct account balances for 20X7 if Gotham City used the purchase method of accounting for inventories?
Answer:
$25,000; $8,000
Explanation:
Based on the information given , we were told that they acquires the amount of $25,000 of inventory on NOVEMBER 1, 20X7, in which on DECEMBER 31, 20X7, a PHYSICAL COUNT shows $8,000 was still in stock which means wthat the CORRECT ACCOUNT BALANCES for 20X7 if Gotham City used the PURCHASE METHOD of accounting for INVENTORIES will be Expenditure of the amount of $25,000 and Inventory of supplies of the amount of $8000.
A company receives $176, of which $16 is for sales tax. The journal entry to record the sale would include a
Answer:
Explanation:
Cash 176
Sales revenue. 160
Sales tax payable 16
Typical cash inflows of a capital investment project include all of the following EXCEPT: A. projected incremental revenues from the project. B. cost reductions in operating costs. C. the salvage value of the investment at the end of its useful life. D. tax savings generated by depreciation expense. E. the original cost paid for the capital investment.
Answer:
E
Explanation:
Cash inflows are cash increases in a project
they include :
projected incremental revenues from the project.
cost reductions in operating costs.
the salvage value of the investment at the end of its useful life
tax savings generated by depreciation expense.
Cash outflows reduces the cash available in a project. They are usually subtracted
they include
the original cost paid for the capital investment.
working capital investment
A project is profitable if cash inflow exceeds cash outflow
Typical cash inflows of a capital investment project do not include the original cost paid for the capital investment.
A capital investment project is regarded as a project that aims at increasing the assets of the business. The inflows in these projects are derived when cash outflows are subtracted from revenues and cash flows of the project.
Therefore, the original cost that would be paid for the capital investment becomes part of cash outflow from the business, which decreases the total availability of cash.
Learn more about capital investment projects here:
https://brainly.com/question/16279869
Your firm uses half debt and half equity. The shareholders need to earn 20%. The firm can borrow at 5%. The risk free rate is 2%. The tax rate is 40%. Find the weighted average cost of capital.
Answer:
11.5%
Explanation:
WACC = weight of equity x cost of equity + weight of debt x cost of debt x (1 - tax rate)
Because of their sharp quality text output and fast printing speeds, ___ printers are often preferred by businesses.
Answer:
Laser printer
Explanation:
Laser printers are quicker than inkjet printers (producing more pages per minute), generate higher-quality output (with some limitations), and are better suited for high-volume production. Laser printers produce significantly finer lines than inkjet printers, making them ideal for text, logos, and corporate information graphics.
To determine the net cash provided (used) by operating activities, it is necessary to analyze Group of answer choices the current year's income statement. a comparative balance sheet. additional information. all of these.
Answer:
All of these.
Explanation:
All of these are the correct answer because to determine the net cash from the operating activities, there is a requirement of the current year's income statement, additional information such as depreciation and amortization and a comparative balance sheet. In order to get cash from operating activities, the changes and non-cash capital, other non-cash adjustments, depreciation is added to the net income.
Ryan Company deposits all cash receipts on the day they are received and makes all cash payments by check. Ryan's June bank statement shows $27,861 on deposit in the bank. Ryan's comparison of the bank statement to its cash account revealed the following
Deposit in transit 3,350
Outstanding checks 1,350
Answer: $29,861
Explanation:
In order to adjust the bank statement balance to the books, the following is done:
= Bank statement + Deposit in transit - Outstanding checks
= 27,861 + 3,350 - 1,350
= $29,861
Chavez Corporation reported the following data for the month of July: Inventories: Beginning Ending Raw materials $ 36,000 $ 34,500 Work in process $ 20,500 $ 26,000 Finished goods $ 36,500 $ 51,500 Additional information: Raw materials purchases $ 70,500 Direct labor cost $ 95,500 Manufacturing overhead cost incurred $ 63,500 Indirect materials included in manufacturing overhead cost incurred $ 9,800 Manufacturing overhead cost applied to Work in Process $ 62,500 Any underapplied or overapplied manufacturing overhead is closed out to cost of goods sold. The cost of goods manufactured for July is:
Answer:
Cost of goods manufactured= $214,700
Explanation:
First, we need to calculate the direct material used:
Direct material used= beginning inventory + purchases - ending inventory
Direct material used= 36,000 + 70,500 - 34,500
Direct material used= $72,000
Now, we can determine the cost of goods manufactured:
cost of goods manufactured= beginning WIP + direct materials + direct labor + allocated manufacturing overhead - Ending WIP
cost of goods manufactured= 20,500 + 72,000 + 95,500 + (62,500 - 9,800) - 26,000
cost of goods manufactured= $214,700
Consider the following data and then calculate the half-life for this particular isotope:
Time Activity (cpm)
0 days 320,000
40 days 216,100
100 days 120,000
(A) 35.2 days.
(B) 75.6 days.
(C) 70.6 days.
(D) 62.9 days.
(E) None of these.
Answer:
D. 62.9 days
Explanation:
Half Life Cpm activity:
320,000 / 2 = 160,000
At 100 days cpm is 120,000 then cpm 160,000 will be at 62.9 days.
[320,000 - 216,100] / 40 days = 2,597.5
160,000 / 2,597.5 = 62.9 days.
Freddy offers to supply water bottles to Jerry’s Gym at a cost of $40a case. The signed contract says that Jerry’s Gym will buy one case of water a month for 12 months. Three months into the contract, Freddy calls Jerry And tells Jerry that the price has gone up to $70a month because Freddy’s product is in such high demand. Jerry refuses to pay. Jerry finds a new supplier, Wally, who will provide one case of water for 9 months at a cost of $50a case. Jerry sues Freddy for breach of contract. What type of damages is Jerry’s Gym entitled to and how much money does Freddy have to pay Jerry’s Gym
Answer:
-jerry is entitled to monetary damages compensations due to a contract breach.
-Freddy has to pay Jerry $90
Explanation:
the damage that the gym is entitled to would be that of a contract breach. Freddy wanted to earn more money so he breached the contract. Now given that Jerry had to go with another supplier of water at a greater cost of 50 dollars for 9 months, just to satisfy his requirements. Freddy has to pay him monetary damages for this breach in contract. he has to pay the difference that exists between the price in the contract they had and what jerry now has to pay due to the breach. The difference is 10 dollars, which is to be paid every month for 9 months
= (50 - 40)*9
= 10 * 9 = $90
When Kimberly finds out that members of her team are using unethical practices to make sales and obtain information, her solution is to hold a Code of Ethics workshop. Is this an appropriate response for her to have?a. Yes; as the manager of these two employees, she is responsible for making sue they know what the expectations of behavior are. b. Yes; she is not allowed to take any disciplinary actions. c. No; she should fire both of them immediately. d. No; it is not her responsibility to educate these employees. They should be in charge of deciding their own ethical behavior.
Answer:
The answer is "Option a".
Explanation:
If Kimberly discovers if her team members use immoral techniques in sales and information, then can organize a workshop on the code of ethics. It is responsible for making sure that he knows the standards of conduct, which is the proper answer for her supervisor of the 2 employees. This code of ethics focuses on people and organizations' values and standards for governing their decisions, as well as on distinguishing the difference between right and wrong.
FAB Corporation will need 200,000 Canadian dollars (C$) in 90 days to cover a payable position. Currently, a 90-day call option with an exercise price of $.75 and a premium of $.01 is available. Also, a 90-day put option with an exercise price of $.73 and a premium of $.01 is available. FAB plans to purchase options to hedge its payable position. Assuming that the spot rate in 90 days is $.71, what is the net amount paid, assuming FAB wishes to minimize its cost
Answer:
$144,000
Explanation:
Calculation to determine net amount paid, assuming FAB wishes to minimize its cost
Net amount: ($.71 + $.01) x 200,000
Net amount = $144,000.
Therefore net amount paid, assuming FAB wishes to minimize its cost is $144000
As a researcher, what would you do if you set to reject the null and found the null to be true?
In the event that the null hypothesis was true, I would report my results honestly and transparently. If my results did not support my expectations, my goal as a researcher would be to learn as much as possible from them.
The first thing I would do is to make my data and my statistical analysis error-free. If my results were influenced by outliers or other unusual patterns in the data, I would check for them. I would recheck the statistical methods I used to ensure that they were appropriate and correct for the type of data I collected.
Once I was confident that my data and analysis were correct, I would consider whether there were any other explanations for the null hypothesis.
Therefore, In the event that the null hypothesis was true, I would report my results honestly and transparently.
learn more about hypothesis here :
https://brainly.com/question/32562440
#SPJ4
How do you think the four management functions of planning, organizing, leading , and controlling fit in with the ideas Sinek expresses in his talk?
Answer:
This posting should be a minimum of one short paragraph and a maximum of two paragraphs. Word totals for this post should be in the 100–200-word range. Whether you agree or disagree, explain why with supporting evidence and concepts from the readings or a related experience. Include a reference, link, or citation when appropriate.
The four functions of management are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. By applying the right resources and knowledge, all these functions can easily fit in the ideas.
What is Management?More than just specialized knowledge, management requires an ability to navigate numerous procedural, structural, and interpersonal challenges in the process of guiding one's team to the completion of various goals.
What are the four management functions?No matter which company you work in, these four management functions remain consistent and applicable across all sectors.
Planning is important to identify the goals and making plans to attain these goals.Organizing refers to taking up of these plans and putting into action.Leading is the stage of motivating and influencing employees to do the work. Controlling function consists of monitoring performance and progress through project execution and making adjustments as needed.Thus, by using knowledge, team-management, and right resources, all these functions can fit in with the ideas.
Learn more on management here - brainly.com/question/15351742
#SPJ2
The resource-based view of competitive advantage states that for something to yield competitive advantage it must be ______.
Answer:
"Rare, hard to duplicate, as well as non-substitutable" is the correct response.
Explanation:
Assesses as well as interprets companies' financial capabilities as well as stresses capacities and knowledge throughout the formulation of strategy to provides provision tangible benefits, is considered as RBV.Inputs that always encourage employees to exercise their business might be viewed as significant commodities.A company purchased factory equipment for $350,000. It is estimated that the equipment will have a $35,000 salvage value at the end of its estimated 5-year useful life. If the company uses the double-declining-balance method of depreciation, the amount of annual depreciation recorded for the second year after purchase would be:_________ a. $140,000 b. $84,000. c. $126,000 d. $75,600
Answer:
Annual depreciation= $126,000
Explanation:
Giving the following information:
Purchase price= $350,000
Useful life= 5 years
Salvage value= $35,000
To calculate the annual depreciation under the double-declining balance, we need to use the following formula:
Annual depreciation= 2*[(book value)/estimated life (years)]
Annual depreciation= 2*[(350,000 - 35,000) / 5]
Annual depreciation= $126,000
Jayco has the following expected cash flows from a project. Calculate the payback period of the project. Year 0 (685,000) Year 1 255,000 Year 2 355,000 Year 3 455,000 Year 4 555,000
Answer:
2.16 years
Explanation:
_______________ skills, though developed through job training and work experience, are generally acquired during the course of your formal education.
a. Interpersonal
b. Technical
c. Conceptual
d. Communication
Answer:
D
Explanation:
The calculation of WACC involves calculating the weighted average of the required rates of return on debt and equity, where the weights equal the percentage of each type of financing in the firm's overall capital structure.
(rstd, rps, rs, rd)
_______ is the symbol that represents the required rate of return on short-term debt in the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) equation.
Co. has $2.3 million of debt, $1 million of preferred stock, and $2.2 million of common equity. What would be its weight on debt?
a. 0.42
b. 0.18
c. 0.40
d. 0.16
Answer:
a. 0.42
Explanation:
Calculation to determine What would be its weight on debt?
First step is to calculate the Total firm capital
Total firm capital= $2.3 + $1 + $2.2
Total firm capital= 5.50 million.
Now let determine the weight on debt using this formula
Weight on debt= Debt in the firm/ Total firm capital
Let plug in the formula
Weight on debt = $2.3 million/ 5.50 million
Weight on debt = 0.4182.
Weight on debt=0.42 (Approximately)
Therefore What would be its weight on debt is 0.42
A monetary growth rule means that :__________a) the Fed will raise interest rates if it thinks the economy is growing faster than potential. b) the Fed will lower interest rates if it thinks a recession is on the horizon. c) the money supply should grow in response to economic conditions. d) the money supply should grow at a constant rate.
Answer:
d) the money supply should grow at a constant rate.
Explanation:
The Federal Reserve System (popularly referred to as the 'Fed') was created by the Federal Reserve Act, passed by the U.S Congress on the 23rd of December, 1913. The Fed began operations in 1914 and just like all central banks, the Federal Reserve is a United States government agency.
Generally, the Fed controls the issuance of currency in United States of America: it promotes public goals such as economic growth, low inflation, and the smooth operation of financial markets.
Monetary growth rule is a theory that was proposed by Friedman and it states that the Federal Reserve System (Fed) should be required to set or target the money supply growth rate to be equal to the growth rate of Real gross domestic product (GDP) each year and leaving the price level of goods and services unchanged.
Basically, this growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) is usually set between 1% and 4%. Also, the monetary growth rule is also referred to as the K-Percent rule.
Hence, a monetary growth rule means that the money supply should grow at a constant rate.
An analyst prepares the following common-size income statements for Perez Company: 20X1 20X2 20X3 Sales 100% 100% 100% Cost of goods sold 50% 52% 53% Selling and administrative expense 16% 12% 9% Interest income 4% 4% 4% Pretax income 30% 32% 34% Income tax expense 15% 16% 17% Net income 15% 16% 17% Based only on this information, Perez's improving net profit margin is most likely a result of:
Answer:
Perez Company
Based only on this information, Perez's improving net profit margin is most likely a result of:
Decreasing Selling and Administrative Expenses over the years.
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Perez Company
Common-size Income Statements for three years:
20X1 20X2 20X3
Sales 100% 100% 100%
Cost of goods sold 50% 52% 53%
Selling and administrative expense 16% 12% 9%
Interest income 4% 4% 4%
Pretax income 30% 32% 34%
Income tax expense 15% 16% 17%
Net income 15% 16% 17%
b) A review of the common-size income statement of Perez Company shows that its selling and administrative expenses continued to reduce an average of 300 percentage points year on year. This reduction can be clearly seen in its improved net income, which also continued to improve year on year. However, the improvement was hampered by increasing income tax expense, which witnessed the same increase.