Break-Even Analysis


The concept explains the relationship between cost volume and profits at various levels of activity, it reviews different methods for calculating the break-even point and presents useful evidence on how the break-even analysis has been used through real case examples.

Technique Overview

Break-Even Analysis

Break-Even Analysis Definition

Break-even analysis establishes the point at which total revenue equals total costs (Needles et al., 2010). It is expressed as the sales quantity (in units) and revenue at which the company or project will start making profits. At the break-even point of sales the company has covered both fixed costs and also the variable costs associated with those sales, and hence any further sales associated with the project, investment or indeed company will yield a net profit.

Break-Even Analysis Description *

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Business Evidence

Strengths, weaknesses and examples of Break-Even Analysis *

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Business Application

Implementation, success factors and measures of Break-Even Analysis *

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Professional Tools

Break-Even Analysis videos and downloads *

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Further Reading

Break-Even Analysis web and print resources *

Break-Even Analysis references (4 of up to 20) *

  • Agarwal, R.D. (1983) Organization and Management. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Airline Business (2004) BA Expects to Break Even in Europe. Mar, 20(3), p.16.
  • Austin, E.H., Edmonds, H.L., Auden, S.M., Seremet, V., Niznik, G., Sehic, A., Sowell, M.K., Cheppo, C.D., Corlett, K.M. (1997) Benefit of Neurophysiologic Monitoring for Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 114(5), pp.707-717.
  • Brealey, R.A., Myers, S.C. (2003) Capital Investment and Valuation. McGraw-Hill Professional.

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