A multinational electricity conglomerate

Option A - INCORRECT.
The electricity conglomerate opened over thirty-three new profitable offices in rural markets last year so they were able to generate some incomes from them this year which improved their positive net income of the divisions this year.

Option B - INCORRECT.
The company's urban markets did not experience substantial changes in terms of either revenues or costs that is why the divisions were able to boost their profits and improve their financial performance this year.

Option C - CORRECT.
This option has mostly flawed the CEO's explanation of the improved financial performance of the conglomerate. The accounting department may have applied a new accounting regulation that includes, revenue transactions that were previously would have not have been recorded not until the following year to be accumulated with the same year. Therefore the income made in each year now remain with that year no transfer of fund to another year. But however, the Chief Executive Officer claim of his new strategy which involved exploiting previously untapped rural markets is completely responsible for the improved financial performance.

Option D - INCORRECT.
The claim in this option would have also increase the chances of getting an improved financial performance. If there is fewer layoffs at the unprofitable divisions due to a new union contract that allows the company to reduce wages by ten percent this will alleviate financial constraints in the division.

Option E - INCORRECT.
Five years ago, the company's five divisions all met or exceeded the average net income of the one hundred largest electricity companies, but recently there has being a reduction in the profit margin from each division except for European division who had positive net income.