Refer to the HR Reports in the Inquirer. Through past investments in recruiting and training Chester has obtained a productivity index of 109.5%. This means that Chester's labor costs would be increased by 9.5% if it did not have these productivity improvements. This is a competitive advantage that Chester can sustain or even widen further if its competitors have no HR initiatives. Now, refer to the Income Statement in Chester's Annual Report. How much did Chester's productivity improvements save it in direct labor costs (in thousands) last year?

Exercise 6-2 variable costing income statement; explanation of difference in net operating income [lo6-2] ida sidha karya company is a family-owned company located on the island of bali in indonesia. the company produces a handcrafted balinese musical instrument called a gamelan that is similar to a xylophone. the gamelans are sold for $970. selected data for the company’s operations last year follow: units in beginning inventory 0 units produced 200 units sold 180 units in ending inventory 20 variable costs per unit: direct materials $ 130 direct labor $ 300 variable manufacturing overhead $ 30 variable selling and administrative $ 15 fixed costs: fixed manufacturing overhead $ 63,000 fixed selling and administrative $ 25,000 the absorption costing income statement prepared by the company’s accountant for last year appears below: sales $ 174,600 cost of goods sold 139,500 gross margin 35,100 selling and administrative expense 27,700 net operating income $ 7,400 required: 1. under absorption costing, how much fixed manufacturing overhead cost is included in the company's inventory at the end of last year? 2. prepare an income statement for last year using variable costing.