a) Describe the factors that drive profits to zero in perfectly competitive markets in the long run. Explain carefully the incentives that drive the market to a long run equilibrium. b) Why would a firm choose to operate at a loss in the short run

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 $860. selected data for the company’s operations last year follow: units in beginning inventory 0 units produced 320 units sold 285 units in ending inventory 35 variable costs per unit: direct materials $ 135 direct labor $ 355 variable manufacturing overhead $ 30 variable selling and administrative $ 15 fixed costs: fixed manufacturing overhead $ 64,000 fixed selling and administrative $ 27,000 the absorption costing income statement prepared by the company’s accountant for last year appears below: sales $ 245,100 cost of goods sold 205,200 gross margin 39,900 selling and administrative expense 31,275 net operating income $ 8,625 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. what is the amount of the difference in net operating income between the two costing methods?

Abank has $132,000 in excess reserves and the required reserve ratio is 11 percent. this means the bank could have in checkable deposit liabilities and in (total) reserves.

Google started as one of many internet search engines, amazon started as an online book seller, and ebay began as a site where people could sell used personal items in auctions. these firms have grown to be so large and dominant that they are facing antitrust scrutiny from competition regulators in the us and elsewhere. did these online giants grow by fairly beating competition, or did they use unfair advantages? are there any clouds on the horizon for these firms -- could they face diseconomies of scale or diseconomies of scope as they continue to grow? if so, what factors may limit their continued growth?