FIN 357 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Net Present Value, Payback Period, Cash Flow
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Capital budgeting involves choosing projects that add value to the firm. The net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period methods are the most common approaches to project selection. At its core, capital budgeting is measuring an accounting of costs versus benefits. In a way, all business decisions are a series of capital budgeting decisions. Get it wrong, and you can destroy a company.
The capital budgeting tools help financial managers decide on the desirability of the projects. In the real world, however, managers sometimes will make decisions that don't necessarily agree with the decision rules of the payback period, NPV or IRR methods.
For example, consider the two mutually exclusive projects below.
Investments | Cost | Cash Flow 1 | Cash Flow 2 |
Project A | $ 50 | $ - | $ 100 |
Project B | $ 50 | $ 50 | $ 25 |
According to the payback period, project B should be selected. Although both projects cost the same, project B has a payback period of one period, while project A will payback in roughly 1.5 periods.
Assuming the discount rate of 5%, NPV(A) = $41 and NPV(B) = $20.
This example illustrates the limitations of the payback period method. Even though the payback period method points to project B, the NPV method points to project A since it has more than twice the NPV value to that of project B. Yet the manager may choose project A. Why?
It may be that the project stakeholder is requesting a quicker return in cash.
For this discussion, create an example problem where two (or more) methods contradict each other. What would be the "appropriate" choice (which project would you choose)? In what cases would you not choose the "best" choice?
Your first assignment in your new position as assistant financial analyst at Caledonia Products is to evaluate two new capital-budgeting proposals. Because this is your first assignment, you have been asked not only to provide a recommendation but also to respond to a number of questions aimed at assessing your understanding of the capital-budgeting process. This is a standard procedure for all new financial analysts at Caledonia, and it will serve to determine whether you are moved directly into the capital-budgeting analysis department or are provided with remedial training. The memorandum you received outlining your assignment follows:
To: The New Financial Analysts
From: Mr. V. Morrison, CEO, Caledonia Products
Re: Capital-Budgeting Analysis
Provide an evaluation of two proposed projects, both with 5-year expected lives and identical initial outlays of
$110,000. Both of these projects involve additions to Caledoniaâs highly successful Avalon product line, and as
a result, the required rate of return on both projects has been established at 12 percent. The expected free cash
flows from each project are as follows:
Project A | Project B | ||
Initial outlay | -$110,000 | -$110,000 | |
Inflow year 1 | 20,000 | 40,000 | |
Inflow year 2 | 30,000 | 40,000 | |
Inflow year 3 | 40,000 | 40,000 | |
Inflow year 4 | 50,000 | 40,000 | |
Inflow year 5 | 70,000 | 40,000 |
In evaluating these projects, please respond to the following questions. For questions from (a) to (j) assume that the projects are independent. That is both could be accepted if both are acceptable.
a. What is the payback period on each project? If Caledonia imposes a 3-year maximum acceptable payback period, which of these projects should be accepted?
b. What are the criticisms of the payback period?
c. Determine the NPV for each of these projects. Should they be accepted?
d. Describe the logic behind the NPV.
e. Determine the PI for each of these projects. Should they be accepted?
f. Would you expect the NPV and PI methods to give consistent accept/reject decisions? Why or why not?
g. Determine the IRR for each project. Should they be accepted?
h. What reinvestment rate assumptions are implicitly made by the NPV and IRR methods? Which one is better?
i. Determine the MIRR for each project. Should they be accepted?
j. Describe the logic behind the MIRR.
k. Rank the two project based on all above criteria and make a recommendation as to which (if either) should be
accepted under the assumption that the projects are mutually exclusive.
l. Caledonia is considering two additional mutually exclusive projects. The free cash flows associated with these projects are as follows:
Project A | Project B | ||
Initial outlay | -$100,000 | -$100,000 | |
Inflow year 1 | 32,000 | 0 | |
Inflow year 2 | 32,000 | 0 | |
Inflow year 3 | 32,000 | 0 | |
Inflow year 4 | 32,000 | 0 | |
Inflow year 5 | 32,000 | 200,000 |
The required rate of return on these projects is 11 percent.
1. What is each projectâs payback period?
2. What is each projectâs NPV?
3. What is each projectâs IRR?
4. What has caused the ranking conflict?
5. Which project should be accepted? Why?
I ONLY NEED TO DO PART l. (the last question) I need to answer questions 1-5