Which inventory costing method uses the lower of cost or market price for calculating the cost of ending merchandise inventory?

The market inventory costing method is specifically designed to calculate the cost of ending merchandise inventory by considering the lower of cost or market price. This approach is rooted in the conservatism principle, which aims to ensure that reporting does not overstate assets. The market price refers to the current replacement cost for the inventory, but it is also limited to a ceiling set by the net realizable value and a floor established by the net realizable value less a normal profit margin. By adhering to this method, businesses ensure that their inventory valuation reflects potential losses due to decreases in market value, providing a more accurate and cautious representation of asset values on the balance sheet.

In contrast, other inventory costing methods, such as FIFO, LIFO, and the weighted average cost method, primarily focus on how costs are assigned based on the flow of inventory rather than adjusting for market conditions. They do not incorporate the "lower of cost or market" principle, which is specifically pertinent to the market inventory costing method.