Answer:
15.37%
Explanation:
Computation of the gross profit percentage
First step is to calculate the Gross profit using this formula
Gross profit = Net sales revenue - Cost of goods sold
Let plug in the formula
Gross profit= $134,700 - $114,000
Gross profit= $20,700
Now let determine the Gross profit percentage using this formula
Gross profit percentage = Gross profit / net sales revenue
Let plug in the formula
Gross profit percentage= $20700/ $134700
Gross profit percentage= 15.37%
Therefore Gross profit percentage is 15.37%
On January 1, 2021, the Merit Group issued to its bank a $38 million, five-year installment note to be paid in five equal payments at the end of each year. Installment payments of $9.417 million annually include interest at the rate of 7.6%.
Required: What would be the amount(s) related to the note that Merit would report in its statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021?
Answer:
The correct solution is provided below.
Explanation:
Given:
The cash inflow,
= $38
Interest rate,
= 7.6%
or,
= 0.076
Now,
The annually interest will be:
= [tex]38\times 0.076\times 1[/tex]
= [tex]2.89[/tex] ($)
Or,
The installment payment without interest will be:
= [tex]9.417-2.89[/tex]
= [tex]6.53[/tex] ($)
Bobby bought 550 shares of stock at $61.25 per share. His broker charges 4% commission for round lots and 5% for odd lots. Calculate the total cost of the stock purchase.
Answer:
The total cost of the stock purchase was $ 35,371.87.
Explanation:
Since Bobby bought 550 shares of stock at $ 61.25 per share, and his broker charges 4% commission for round lots and 5% for odd lots, to calculate the total cost of the stock purchase the following calculation must be performed:
Odd lot = less than 100 shares, or sum not divisible by 100
550 = odd lot
(550 x 61.25) x 0.05 = X
33,687.5 x 0.05 = X
1,684.375 = X
33,687.5 + 1,684,375 = 35,371,875
Therefore, the total cost of the stock purchase was $ 35,371.87.
April 30 May 31
Inventories
Raw materials $37,000 $42,000
Work in process 9,800 18,600
Finished goods 58,000 34,900
Activities and information for May
Raw materials purchases (paid with cash) 189,000
Factory payroll (paid with cash) 150,000
Factory overhead
Indirect materials 7,000
Indirect labor 34,500
Other overhead costs 101,000
Sales (received in cash) 1,200,000
Pre-determined overhead rate based on direct labor cost 55%
Compute the following amounts for the month of May using T-accounts
1. Cost of direct materials used.
2. Cost of direct labor used.
3. Cost of goods manufactured.
4. Cost of goods sold.
5. Gross profit.
6. Overapplied or underapplied overhead.
Answer:
1. Cost of direct materials used
= $177,000
2. Cost of direct labor used
= $150,000
3. Cost of goods manufactured
= $400,700
4. Cost of goods sold
= $423,800
5. Gross profit
= $776,200
6. Overapplied or underapplied overhead
= $60,000 Underapplied
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Inventories
Raw materials $37,000 $42,000
Work in process 9,800 18,600
Finished goods 58,000 34,900
Activities and information for May
Raw materials purchases (paid with cash) 189,000
Factory payroll (paid with cash) 150,000
Factory overhead
Indirect materials 7,000
Indirect labor 34,500
Other overhead costs 101,000
Sales (received in cash) 1,200,000
Predetermined overhead rate based on direct labor cost = 55%
T-accounts:
Raw materials
Account Titles Debit Credit
Beginning balance $37,000
Cash 189,000
Factory overhead $7,000
Work in process 177,000
Ending balance $42,000
Totals $226,000 $226,000
Work in process
Account Titles Debit Credit
Beginning balance $9,800
Direct materials 177,000
Direct labor 150,000
Applied overhead 82,500
Finished goods $400,700
Ending balance $18,600
Totals $419,300 $419,300
Finished goods
Account Titles Debit Credit
Beginning balance $58,000
Work in process 400,700
Cost of goods sold $423,800
Ending balance $34,900
Totals $458,700 $458,700
Factory overhead
Account Titles Debit Credit
Indirect materials $7,000
Indirect labor 34,500
Other costs 101,000
Work in process $82,500 (55% of direct labor)
Under-applied overhead 60,000
Total $142,500 $142,500
Sales (received in cash) 1,200,000
Cost of goods sold 423,800
Gross profit = 776,200
Capital market securities have short-term maturities with less than one year and therefore can be sold for cash quickly and easily.
a) true
b) false
Answer:
b) false
Explanation:
The capital market securities may be defined as a financial market where long term debts or the equity-backed securities can be bought and then sold.
The capital market securities are long term maturities where cash can be bought and sold easily.
The money market securities are a short term maturity financial securities such as stocks, bonds, etc.
Therefore, the answer is false.
Data concerning three of the activity cost pools of Pembrooke LLC, a legal firm, have been provided below: Activity cost pools Total activity Total cost Research legal issues 680 research hours $29,920 Meet with clients 5,324 meeting hours $665,500 Preparing documents 6,490 documents $116,820 What is the activity rate for the "research legal issues" activity cost pool?
Answer and Explanation:
The calculation of the activity rate for the "research legal issues" activity cost pool is given below:
= Total research legal issued cost ÷ total activity
= $29,920 ÷ 680
= $44
hence, the activity rate for the "research legal issues" activity cost pool is $44
The same should be considered and relevant
Assuming you have to pay $6.00 to play the game, explain what happens in the long run. (Is it a good idea to play the game
Answer:
Kindly check explanation
Explanation:
We create a probability distribution for the play and winning :
Possible winning, X = 0, 7, 20
Probability of winning :
Sum of 2 die rolls ; sample space = 6² = 36
P(winning 0) = (sum ≠ 2,3,5 or 6)/ sample space = 24 / 36 = 2/3
P(winning 20) = (sum = (2 or 3) / Sample space) = 9 / 36 = 1/4
P(winning 7) = (sum = (5or6) / sample space) = 3 / 36 = 1/12
Distribution table :
X _____ 0 _______ 7 _____ 20
P(x) ___ 2/3 _____ 1/4 ____ 1/12
Expected value of the game ; E(X) ;
E(X) = Σx*p(x)
E(X) = (0*2/3) + (7*1/4) + (20*1/12)
E(X) = 0 + 1.75 + 1.6667
E(X) = 3.417
E(X) = 3.42
This means the mean winning after a long play is expected to be $3.42
To know if the game should be paku in the long run : we calculate the payoff
Expected Value - cost of paly
Cost of play = $6
Payoff = 3.42 - 6 = - 2.58
Since, payoff is negative, the game should not be played.
An investor considers investing $20,000 in the stock market. He believes that the probability is 0.29 that the economy will improve, 0.35 that it will stay the same, and 0.36 that it will deteriorate. Further, if the economy improves, he expects his investment to grow to $26,000, but it can also go down to $14,000 if the economy deteriorates. If the economy stays the same, his investment will stay at $20,000
a. What is the expected value of his investment? Expected value
b. What should the investor do if he is risk neutral? Investor invest the $20,000
c. Is the decision clear-cut if he is risk averse?
No
Yes
Answer: See explanation
Explanation:
a. What is the expected value of his investment?
Based on the information given, this will be:
= (0.29 x $26000) + (0.35 x $20000) + (0.36 x $14000)
= $7540 + $7000 + $5040
= $19580
b. What should the investor do if he is risk neutral?
If the investor is risk neutral, then he should invest $20000.
c. Is the decision clear-cut if he is risk averse?
If the investor is risk averse, then it should be noted that he should not invest $20000 since the expected value of the investment will be lesser than its investment. In this case, the decision isn't clear cut if he's risk averse.
Telecommuters are not key to a business continuity plan (BCP) because they work from remote locations. Therefore, any disruptions would not affect them. True
Answer:
This false
Explanation:
A telecommuter is a remote worker that does his or her job from home and when it is time to have communications with their office, they do so through emails, fax, phone or the internet. the BCP is the ability of the organization to continue with its services and production even after a disruption occurred in the business.
A disruption in the business is capable of affecting the telecommuter too. Working remotely does not make their job less important
David works for a cookie company downtown. He earns $7 per hour. In a typical week, he works 22 hours. His employer provides overtime pay equal to 3 times his normal wage if he works past 40 hours. The company also provides a 8% commission on all cookies sold. How much can David make this week if he works 30 hours and sells $1100 worth of cookies
Answer:
$242
Explanation:
Calculation to determine How much can David make this week
Earnings for David =( 22*$7) + (1100*8%)
Earnings for David=$154*$88
Earnings for David= $242
Therefore How much can David make this week is $242
Jeniffer, a supervisor of a customer service team, is concerned about Mark's performance. She decides to talk to Mark
and schedules a meeting with him. If Jeniffer is using the directive counseling approach, which of the following should
be Jeniffer's first step?
Answer: She should first make a good conversation with Mark because you can solve this situation easier than just going straight to the point.
Explanation:
Calvin works in the accounting department for a textbook publishing firm preparing budgets and reporting production costs. What job does Calvin hold
Answer:
The answer is "managerial accountant".
Explanation:
The economic circumstances collect and earned value collection of data, evaluating and presenting financial information for the organization or the management team of the company. These statistics will then be used to make sensible financial decisions that really can benefit the overall growth of the organization.
Managers were employing company and organizational accounts to monitor internal financial processes, revenue, spending, and budget, submit reports, determine past trends and forecast future needs, and aid economic decisions.
The following items are reported on a company's financial statements for 2015 and 2016:
($ in Thousands) 2015 2016
Cash $290 $300
Short-term investments 100 100
Receivables (net) 160 200
Inventory 140 160
Accounts payable 350 400
Sales 1740 1800
Cost of goods sold 1120 1200
Determine the following measures for 2016:
a. Current ratio
b. Accounts receivable turnover
c. Quick ratio
d. Inventory turnover
Answer:
See below
Explanation:
1. Current ratio
= Current asset / Current liabilities
Current asset = cash + marketable securities + accounts receivables + inventory
= $300 + $100 + $200 + $160
= $760
Current liabilities = accounts payable
Current liabilities = $400
Current ratio = $760 / $400
Current ratio = 1:9:1
2. Accounts receivable turnover
= Net credit sales / [(Beginning receivables + ending receivables) /2]
= $1,800 / [ ($160 + $200)/2]
= $1,800 / $180
= 10 times
3. Quick ratio
= Current asset - Inventory / Current liabilities
= $300 + $100 + $200 - $160 / $400
= $440 / $400
= 1:1:1
I think home ownership is important to most Americans today because they want to have the pride of owning their own home and they want to change it up to make it their own
Answer:
owww
Explanation:
Assume for the United States that the opportunity cost of each airplane is 50 cars. Which of these pairs of points could be on the United States' production possibilities frontier?a. (200 airplanes, 5,000 cars) and (150 airplanes, 4,000 cars)b. (200 airplanes, 12,500 cars) and (150 airplanes, 15,000 cars)c. (300 airplanes, 15,000 cars) and (200 airplanes, 25,000 cars)d. (300 airplanes, 25,000 cars) and (200 airplanes, 40,000 cars)
Answer: b. (200 airplanes, 12,500 cars) and (150 airplanes, 15,000 cars)
Explanation:
The opportunity cost of an airplane is 50 cars. This means that if the number of planes produced were reduced by 50, the number of cars should increase by:
= 50 * 50
= 2,500 cars.
In option B, the airplanes were 200 and then reduced by 50 to 150. This led to an increase in cars of:
= 15,000 - 12,500
= 2,500 cars
Option B therefore satisfies the constraints and is correct.
Suppose First Main Street Bank, Second Republic Bank, and Third Fidelity Bank all have zero excess reserves. The required reserve ratio is 25%. Manuel, a client of First Main Street Bank, deposits $1,800,000 into his checking account at First Main Street Bank.
Required:
Write down the table to show the effect of a new deposit on excess and required reserves
Answer:
Change in Excess Reserves $1,350,000
Change in Required Reserves $450,000
Explanation:
Preparation of the table to show the effect of a new deposit on excess and required reserves
Based on the information given since the REQUIRED RESERVE RATIO is 25%, which means that First Main Street Bank will hold 25% of its initial deposit leading to INCREASE in the REQUIRED RESERVE by the amount of $450,000 (25%*$1,800,000) while the remaining 75% (100%-25%) will be the EXCESS RESERVES of the amount of $1,350,000 (75%*$1,800,000).
Hence:
Amount Deposited: $1,800,000
Change in Excess Reserves=$1,350,000
Change in Required Reserves= $450,000
Therefore the effect of a new deposit on excess and required reserves will be:
Change in Excess Reserves $1,350,000
Change in Required Reserves $450,000
In its income statement for the year ended December 31, 2022, Sheffield Corp. reported the following condensed data.
Operating expenses $725,000
Interest revenue $38,000
Cost of goods sold 1,261,000
Loss on disposal of plant assets 22,000
Interest expense 76,000
Net sales 2,204,000
Income tax expense 50,000
Other comprehensive income (net of $1,200 tax) 8,800
Required:
Prepare a multiple-step income statement.
Answer:
Sheffield Corp.
Multiple-step income statement for the year ended December 31, 2022
Net sales $2,204,000
Less Cost of goods sold ($1,261,000)
Gross Profit $943,000
Less Operating Expenses :
Operating expenses $725,000 ($725,000)
Operating Profit $218,000
Less Non Operating Expenses :
Interest revenue ($38,000)
Loss on disposal of plant assets $22,000
Interest expense $76,000
Income tax expense $50,000 ($110,000)
Net Profit $108,000
Other Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive income (net of $1,200 tax) $8,800
Total Profit and loss and comprehensive income $116,800
Explanation:
A multiple-step income statement shows separately profit derived from primary activities and that derived from secondary activities as shown above.
mention one product you are selling on your sole proprietorship
Answer: Examples of sole proprietors include small businesses such as, a local grocery store, a local clothes store, an artist, freelance writer, IT consultant, freelance graphic designer, etc.
Explanation:
An investment strategy has an expected return of 21 percent and a standard deviation of 15 percent. Assume investment returns are bell shaped. a. How likely is it to earn a return between 6 percent and 36 percent?
Answer:
68%
Explanation:
Given :
Mean, μ = 21
Standard deviation, σ = 15
Recall :
Zscore = (x - μ) / σ
P(Z =(x - μ) / σ) - P(Z =(x - μ) / σ)
x = 6 and x = 36
P(Z =(36 - 21) / 15) - P(Z =(6 - 21) / 15)
P(Z = 1) - P(Z = - 1)
Using the Z probability calculator :
P(Z = - 1) = 0.15866
P(Z = 1) = 0.84134
0.84134 - 0.15866
= 0.68268
= 0.68
= 68%
Answer each of the following independent questions.
1. Alex Meir recently won a lottery and has the option of receiving one of the following three prizes: (1) $64,000 cash immediately, (2) $20,000 cash immediately and a six-period annuity of $8,000 beginning one year from today, or (3) a six-period annuity of $13,000 beginning one year from today. Assuming an interest rate of 6%, which option should Alex choose?
2. The Weimer Corporation wants to accumulate a sum of money to repay certain debts due on December 31, 2025. Weimer will make annual deposits of $100,000 into a special bank account at the end of each of 10 years beginning December 31, 2016. Assuming that the bank account pays 7% interest compounded annually, what will be the fund balance after the last payment is made on December 31, 2025?
Answer:
option 1
$1,381,644.80
Explanation:
Alex would choose the option that has the highest present value
Present value is the sum of discounted cash flows
Present value can be calculated using a financial calculator
pv of option 2
Cash flow in year 0 = 20,000
Cash flow in year 1 - 6 = $8,000
i = 6%
PV = 59,338.60
OPTION 3
Cash flow in year 1 - 6 = 13,000
i - 6%
pv = 63,925.22
option 1 has the highest present value and should be chosen
To find the PV using a financial calculator:
1. Input the cash flow values by pressing the CF button. After inputting the value, press enter and the arrow facing a downward direction.
2. after inputting all the cash flows, press the NPV button, input the value for I, press enter and the arrow facing a downward direction.
3. Press compute
2.
future value of an annuity = Annual payment x annuity factor
Annuity factor = {[(1+r)^n] - 1} / r
(1.07^10 - 1 ) / 0.07 = 13.816448
13.816448 x 100,000 = $1,381,644.80
During August, the receipts and distributions of Material No. B4G9 are as follows: Received Aug. 31,100 units at $15 161,700 units at $17 29 900 units at $18 Issued Aug. 11 700 units for Job 116 181,900 units for Job 117 30 800 units for Job 118 a. Determine the cost of each of the three issues under a perpetual system, using the first-in, first-out method.
Answer:
The total cost will be "$56,200". A further explanation is provided below.
Explanation:
According to the question,
The cost of issue of Aug 11 will be:
= [tex]700\times 15[/tex]
= [tex]10,500[/tex] ($)
The cost of issue of Aug 18 will be:
= [tex]400\times 15+1500\times 17[/tex]
= [tex]6000 +25500[/tex]
= [tex]31,500[/tex] ($)
The cost of issue of Aug 30 will be:
= [tex]200\times 17+600\times 18[/tex]
= [tex]3400+10800[/tex]
= [tex]14,200[/tex] ($)
Now,
The total cost will be:
= [tex]10,500+31,500+14,200[/tex]
= [tex]56,200[/tex] ($)
g Which of the following statements is true of clustering? A. It uses different suppliers and distribution channels for interdependent companies within an industry. B. It seldom uses specialized labor. C. It helps a firm gain an increase in efficiencies. D. It typically increases the costs of production and distribution.
Answer: C. It helps a firm gain an increase in efficiencies.
Explanation:
Clustering refers to the geographic concentration of the businesses and the suppliers that are interconnected in a particular field.
The aim of clusters is to help increase efficiencies as well as being about an increase the productivity through which companies can compete.
Therefore, the correct option is C.
The financial statements of the Sunland Company reports net sales of $828000 and accounts receivable of $79200 and $43200 at the beginning of the year and end of year, respectively. What is the average collection period for accounts receivable in days
Answer:
See below
Explanation:
Given the above information, the average collection period in days is computed as
= Average balance of account receivables / Net credit sales × 365
Average balance of account receivables = ($79,200 + $43,200) / 2
= $61,200
Net credit sales = $828,000
= $61,200 / $828,000 × 365
= 26.97 days
= 27 days
Hence the average collection period in days is 27 days
Lowden Company has a predetermined overhead rate of and allocates overhead based on direct material cost During the current period direct labor cost is 58,000 and direct materials cost is $ 88,000 . How much overhead cost should Lowden Company should apply in the current period
Answer:
$138,160
Explanation:
Calculation to determine How much overhead cost should Lowden Company should apply in the current period
Using this formula
Overhead =157%*Direct material cost
Let plug in the formula
Overhead=157%*88,000
Overhead=$138,160
Therefore the amount of overhead cost that Lowden Company should apply in the current period is $138,160
You are told that standing up during the Cowboys football game will give you a better view of the field. However, if everyone stands up at the same time, then your view is obscured. This example best describes:
a. inclusion of an irrelevant variable.
b. a violation of ceteris paribus .
c. a fallacy of composition.
d. a post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy.
e. an omission of a relevant variable.
Answer:
I think the answer is e. Because you the variable that if everyone stands up you cant see is omitted.
Managers in international businesses will need to evaluate the attractiveness of a country as a market or location for a facility or investment.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
a. True
Explanation:
A manager can be defined as an individual who is saddled with the responsibility of providing guidance, support, supervision, administrative control, as well as acting as a role model or example to the employees working in an organization by being morally upright. Thus, he or she supervises and ensures his subordinates (employees) are working effectively and efficiently with the organization's goals and objectives.
Generally, managers working in international businesses are expected to evaluate the attractiveness of a country as a market or location for a facility or investment before going ahead to the endorse and approve it for any business having long-term plan, goals and objectives in mind.
Some examples of the factors a manager should look out for in determining the attractiveness of a country includes freedom of expression, government policies, power supply, taxation, ease of doing business, climate, etc.
Delta Company produces a single product. The cost of producing and selling a single unit of this product at the company’s normal activity level of 86,400 units per year is: Direct materials $ 2.40 Direct labor $ 2.00 Variable manufacturing overhead $ 0.90 Fixed manufacturing overhead $ 3.75 Variable selling and administrative expenses $ 1.40 Fixed selling and administrative expenses $ 1.00 The normal selling price is $22.00 per unit. The company’s capacity is 106,800 units per year. An order has been received from a mail-order house for 1,700 units at a special price of $19.00 per unit. This order would not affect regular sales or the company’s total fixed costs. Required: 1. What is the financial advantage (disadvantage) of accepting the special order? 2. As a separate matter from the special order, assume the company’s inventory includes 1,000 units of this product that were produced last year and that are inferior to the current model. The units must be sold through regular channels at reduced prices. The company does not expect the selling of these inferior units to have any effect on the sales of its current model. What unit cost is relevant for establishing a minimum selling price for the inferior units?
Answer:
1. The financial advantage of accepting the special order is $20,910.
2. The relevant unit cost is the variable selling and administrative expenses of $1.40 per unit.
Explanation:
1. What is the financial advantage (disadvantage) of accepting the special order?
Since this order would not affect regular sales or the company's total fixed costs, it implies that only the variable costs will be considered to determine the financial advantage (disadvantage) of accepting the special order.
Therefore, we have:
Total variable cost per unit = Direct materials + Direct labor + Variable manufacturing overhead + Variable selling and administrative expenses = $2.40 + $2.00 + $0.90 + $1.40 = $6.70
Special order financial advantage (disadvantage) = (Special price per unit - Total variable cost per unit) * Units of special order = ($19.00 - $6.70) * 1,700 = $20,910
Therefore, the financial advantage of accepting the special order is $20,910.
2. As a separate matter from the special order, assume the company’s inventory includes 1,000 units of this product that were produced last year and that are inferior to the current model. The units must be sold through regular channels at reduced prices. The company does not expect the selling of these inferior units to have any effect on the sales of its current model. What unit cost is relevant for establishing a minimum selling price for the inferior units?
Since these units are inferior to the current model and must be sold through regular channels at reduced prices, the unit cost that is relevant for establishing a minimum selling price for the inferior units is therefore the variable selling and administrative expenses of $1.40 per unit.
The expected average rate of return for a proposed investment of $5,610,000 in a fixed asset, using straight-line depreciation, with a useful life of 20 years, no residual value, and an expected total net income of $16,830,000 over the 20 years is (round to two decimal points). a.15.00% b.30.00% c.1.50% d.60.00%
Answer:
b.30.00%
Explanation:
Calculation to determine what the expected total net income of $16,830,000 over the 20 years is
Expected total net income =($16,830,000/20)/($5,610,000/2)*100
Expected total net income=$841,500/$2,805,000
Expected total net income =30.00%
Therefore the expected total net income of $16,830,000 over the 20 years is 30.00%
A firm presents a market value balance sheet and a book value balance sheet to prospective investors. What is wrong with using the book value version of the balance sheet in making a decision to invest in the company?A : The book value is based on comparative values.B : The book value is too low compared to market values.C : The book value is based on historical values.D : The book value represents sample values used in the sheet.
Answer:
c
Explanation:
A firm that purchases electricity from the local utility for $300,000 per year is considering installing a steam generator at a cost of $260,000. The cost of operating this generator would be $210,000 per year, and the generator will last for five years. If the firm buys the generator, it does not need to purchase any electricity from the local utility. The cost of capital is 11%. For the local utility option, consider five years of electricity purchases. For the generator option, assume immediate installation, with purchase and operating costs in the current year and operating costs continuing for the next four years. Assume payments under both options at the start of each year (i.e., immediate, one year from now,..., four years from now). What is the net present value of the more attractive choice?
Answer:
The net present value of the more attractive choice is:
= $1,108,800 (paying for local utility)
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Project period = 5 years
Cost of capital = 11%
Local Utility Steam Generator
Operating cost per year $300,000 $210,000
Cost of steam generator $260,000
PV (annuity factor
at 11% for 5 years) 3.696
PV (annuity factor
at 11% for 4 years) 3.102
Present value $1,108,800 ($300,000 * 3.696)
Present value of steam generator/
operating cost for the 1st year $470,000
Present value of operating cost for 4 years 651,420 ($210,000 * 3.102)
Net present value $1,108,800 $1,121,420
Paying for the local utility is more attractive with a net present value savings of $12,620 ($1,121,420 - $1,108,800)
Research the different types of body language the people use in different cultures.
Answer:
Explanation:
Body language is an extremely important form of communication in every single culture, yet every culture has differences. For example...
Korean's tend to greet individuals with a bow. This is a form of showing respect as well as saying hello. Other cultures such as the Swiss tend to greet others with three cheek kisses.
Body language can be for many occasions such as Americans using the middle finger to show their dislike of someone. There's also Italian's closing their fingers together in form of a pinecone to show their distraught over something.
Body language has always been a way of expressing oneself and their emotions.
