How does inventory affect the income statement?

Inventory affects the income statement primarily when it is sold, which is why this choice correctly identifies the relationship. When inventory is sold, its cost is transferred to the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), which directly reduces the gross profit on the income statement. Until the inventory is sold, it remains an asset on the balance sheet and does not impact the income statement.

The timing of this impact is crucial; only when the inventory is sold does it translate into a cost that affects overall profitability for that period. This distinction is key for understanding how operations influence financial performance over time.

Additionally, while inventory does ultimately impact gross profit directly through COGS, the critical moment of impact is tied to the sales event itself, rather than the mere presence of inventory or its valuation during a reporting cycle. Other options do not align with this concept of timing and realization of sales to reflect on the income statement.