What Is The Breakeven Point (BEP) ?

Breakeven Point (BEP)
What Is the Breakeven Point (BEP)?

In accounting, the breakeven point formula is determined by dividing the total
fixed costs associated with production by the revenue per individual unit minus
the variable costs per unit. In this case, fixed costs refer to those which do not
change depending upon the number of units sold. Put differently, the breakeven
point is the production level at which total revenues for a product equal total
expenses.
The term is also used in investing. The breakeven point formula for a stock
or futures trade is determined by comparing the market price of an asset to the
original cost; the breakeven point is reached when the two prices are equal.
For options trading, the breakeven point is the market price that an underlying
asset must reach for an option buyer to avoid a loss if they exercise the option.
For a call buyer, the breakeven point is reached when the underlying is equal to
the strike price plus the premium paid, while the BEP for a put position is reached
when the underlying is equal to the strike price minus the premium paid. The
breakeven point doesn't typically factor in commission costs, although these fees
could be included if desired.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
 In accounting, the breakeven point is calculated by dividing the fixed costs

of production by the price per unit minus the variable costs of production.
 The breakeven point is the level of production at which the costs of
production equal the revenues for a product.
 In investing, the breakeven point is said to be achieved when the market
price of an asset is the same as its original cost.
Understanding Breakeven Point (BEP)
Traders have a BEP on trades, and businesses also have breakeven points. A
company's breakeven is calculated by taking fixed costs and dividing that figure
by the gross profit margin percentage.
\begin{aligned} &\text{Business Breakeven} = \frac { \text{Fixed

Costs} }{ \text{Gross Profit Margin} } \\ \end{aligned}
Business Breakeven=Gross Profit MarginFixed Costs
The breakeven formula provides a dollar figure they need to breakeven. This can
be converted into units by calculating the contribution margin (unit sale price less
variable costs). Dividing the fixed costs by the contribution margin will provide
how many units are needed to breakeven.
Stock Market Breakeven Point (BEP) Example

Assume an investor buys Microsoft stock at $110. That is now their breakeven
point on the trade. If the price moves above $110, the investor is making money.
If the stock drops below $110, they are losing money. If the price stays right at
$110, they are at the BEP, because they are not making or losing anything.
Call Option Breakeven Point Example

Assume that an investor pays a $5 premium for an Apple stock call option with a
$170 strike price. That means the investor has the right to buy 100 shares of
Apple at $170 per share at any time before the options expire. The breakeven
point for the call option is the $170 strike price plus the $5 call premium, or $175.
If the stock is trading below this, the benefit of the option has not exceeded its
cost.
If the stock is trading at $190 per share, the call owner buys Apple at $170 and
sells the securities at the $190 market price. The profit is $190 minus the $175
breakeven price, or $15 per share.
Put Option Breakeven Point Example

Assume an investor pays a $4 premium for a Facebook put option with a $180
strike price. That allows the put buyer to sell 100 shares of Facebook stock at
$180 per share until the option's expiration date. The put position's breakeven
price is $180 minus the $4 premium, or $176. If the stock is trading above that
price, the benefit of the option has not exceeded its cost.
If the stock is trading at a market price of $170, for example, the trader has a
profit of $6 (breakeven of $176 minus the current market price of $170).
Business Breakeven Point (BEP) Example

The information required to calculate a business's BEP can be found on
their financial statements. The first pieces of information required are the fixed
costs and the gross margin percentage.
Assume a company has $1 million in fixed costs and a gross margin of 37%. Its
breakeven point is $2.7 million ($1 million / 0.37). In this breakeven point
example, the company must generate $2.7 million in revenue to cover their fixed
and variable costs. If they generate more sales, the company will have a profit. If
they generate fewer sales, they will have a loss.
It is also possible to calculate how many units need to be sold to cover the fixed
costs, which will result in the company breaking even. To do this, calculate the
contribution margin, which is the sale price of the product less variable costs.
Assume a company has a $50 sale price for their product and variable costs of
$10. The contribution margin is $40 ($50 - $10). Divide the fixed costs by the
contribution margin to determine how many units the company has to sell: $1
million / $40 = 25,000 units. If the company sells more units than this they will
have profit. If they sell less, they will have a loss.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a break even point?
A break even point is used in multiple areas of business and finance. In
accounting terms, it refers to the production level at which total production
revenue equals total production costs. In investing, the break even point is the
point at which the original cost equals the market price. Meanwhile, the break
even point in options trading occurs when the market price of an underlying asset
reaches the level in which a buyer will not incur a loss.
How do you calculate a break even point?

Generally, to calculate the break even point in business, fixed costs are divided
by the gross profit margin. This produces a dollar figure that a company needs to
break even. When it comes to stocks, if a trader bought a stock at $200, and nine
months later it reached $200 again after falling from $250, it would have reached
the break even point.
How do you calculate a break even point in options trading?

Consider the following example in which an investor pays a $10 premium for a
stock call option, and the strike price is $100. The break even point would equal
the $10 premium plus the $100 strike price, or $110. On the other hand, if this
were applied to a put option, the break even point would be calculated as the
$100 strike price minus the $10 premium paid, amounting to $90.

What Is The Breakeven Point (BEP) ?

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Breakeven Point (BEP)

What Is the Breakeven Point (BEP)?

 In accounting, the breakeven point is calculated by dividing the fixed costs

\begin{aligned} &\text{Business Breakeven} = \frac { \text{Fixed

Stock Market Breakeven Point (BEP) Example

Call Option Breakeven Point Example

Put Option Breakeven Point Example

Business Breakeven Point (BEP) Example

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate a break even point?

How do you calculate a break even point in options trading?

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