What is the purpose of the lower‐of‐cost‐or‐market method?What is meant by “market”?

Topic: Applying Lower of Cost or Market

You have been asked by the financial vice president (VP) to develop a short presentation on the lower of cost or market method for inventory purposes. The financial VP needs to explain this method to the president because it appears that a portion of the company’s inventory has declined in value.

The financial VP asks you to answer the following questions:

  1. What is the purpose of the lower‐of‐cost‐or‐market method?
  2. What is meant by “market”? (Hint: Discuss the ceiling and floor constraints.