Question

Explain the difference between the proportional method and the incremental method of allocating the proceeds of lump-sum sales of capital stock.

Answer 1

When a company sells different securities together (this usually happens during mergers and acquisitions):

1. and the price of all the securities is not certain, the incremental method will first allocate proceeds to the sale of securities whose price is actually certain. The remaining proceeds will be allocated to the securities whose price is uncertain. E.g. total sales $10 million, stocks worth $5 million were sold and bonds worth ? million were sold. The company will allocate $5 million to stocks and $5 million to bonds.
2. and the price of all the securities is certain, the proportional method allocates the sales proceeds proportionally among the different securities sold. E.g. total sales $10 million, stocks worth $5 million were sold and bonds worth $3 million were sold. The company will allocate ($5/$8) x $10 million = $6.25 million to stocks and $3.75 to bonds.