How does the FIFO method impact Gross Profit when stock prices are rising?

The FIFO (First In, First Out) method of inventory valuation assumes that the oldest inventory items are sold first. In a scenario where stock prices are rising, the cost of acquiring new inventory is higher than the cost of the older inventory.

When a company uses FIFO during times of rising prices, it sells the lower-cost older inventory first, leading to lower Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). Since COGS is subtracted from revenue to calculate Gross Profit, a lower COGS results in a higher Gross Profit. Therefore, FIFO effectively inflates Gross Profit in an environment of increasing prices, as the profits reported reflect the benefits of selling older inventory at lower costs while the revenues are based on the current higher selling prices.

This concept is essential for understanding how inventory accounting methods influence financial reporting and profitability, especially in a context of volatile market conditions with rising costs.