What does a cost-volume-profit graph illustrate?

A cost-volume-profit (CVP) graph is a powerful tool that visually represents the interrelationships among cost, volume of sales, and profit. It illustrates how changes in sales volume affect both costs and profits.

The graph typically displays total revenue and total costs on the y-axis against the quantity sold on the x-axis. The intersection of the total revenue line and the total cost line indicates the break-even point, where total revenue equals total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss. By analyzing areas above and below the break-even point, one can see how increases or decreases in sales volume impact profitability.

This visualization helps stakeholders make informed decisions regarding pricing strategies, production levels, and overall financial planning. It empowers managers to determine how many units need to be sold to achieve desired profit levels and to assess the effects of fluctuations in costs or sales volumes on profitability.

The other options do not capture the full scope of what the CVP graph communicates. While it may indicate fixed costs, that is just one component of the graph. It does not solely focus on break-even points or total capital investment, making option C the best choice to describe the comprehensive relationships illustrated in a cost-volume-profit graph.