Variable costing net operating income is usually closer to the net cash flow of a period than is absorption costing net operating income.

Variable Costing

A method of costing that includes only variable production costs (direct materials, direct labor, and variable manufacturing overhead) in the cost of goods sold and treats fixed manufacturing overhead as a period expense.

Absorption Costing

A method of accounting that encompasses all costs involved in manufacturing, including direct materials, direct labor, and both variable and fixed manufacturing overhead, as part of a product's cost.

Net Operating Income

The profit a company makes from its core business operations, excluding deductions of interest and taxes.