lower-of-cost-or-market It is inconsistent because losses are recognized but not gains. b. It usually understates assets. c. It can increase future income. "market" in the lower-of-cost-or-market rule be more than estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion and disposal. Designated market value is always the middle value of replacement cost, net realizable value, and net realizable value less a normal profit margin Lower-of-cost-or-market is most conservative if applied to individual items of inventory. the rationale behind the ceiling when applying the lower-of-cost-or-market method to inventory is to prevent overstatement of the value of obsolete or damaged inventories.