Math Problem Statement

Orange  Oval  Construction is evaluating a 3-year project that would require an initial investment in equipment of $93,000. Net working capital is expected to be $11,000 initially (at year 0), $19,000 in 1 year, $34,000 in 2 years; and $0 in 3 years. In years 1, 2, and 3, relevant revenue is expected to be $64,000, relevant costs are expected to be $22,000, and relevant depreciation is expected to be $18,000. Capital spending would be $0 in year 1 and $0 in year 2. The equipment would be sold for an after-tax cash flow of $31,000 in 3 years. The tax rate is 50 percent and the cost of capital is 8.78 percent. What is the net present value of the project?  

Solution

To calculate the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project, we follow these steps:

1. Calculate Cash Flows

  • Revenue: $64,000\$64,000
  • Costs: $22,000\$22,000
  • Depreciation: $18,000\$18,000
  • Tax Rate: 50%50\%
  • Net Working Capital (NWC): Changes across years.

Formula for Operating Cash Flow (OCF):

OCF=(RevenueCostsDepreciation)(1Tax Rate)+DepreciationOCF = (Revenue - Costs - Depreciation)(1 - Tax\ Rate) + Depreciation

After-Tax Salvage Value:

After-tax salvage value=Sale price×(1Tax rate)\text{After-tax salvage value} = \text{Sale price} \times (1 - \text{Tax rate})

Total Cash Flow:

Total Cash Flow=OCF+Changes in NWC+After-Tax Salvage Value (in Year 3)Initial Investment\text{Total Cash Flow} = OCF + \text{Changes in NWC} + \text{After-Tax Salvage Value (in Year 3)} - \text{Initial Investment}


2. Step-by-Step Calculation

Year 0:

  • Initial Investment: $93,000-\$93,000
  • Initial NWC: $11,000-\$11,000
  • Total Cash Flow: $93,000$11,000=$104,000-\$93,000 - \$11,000 = -\$104,000

Year 1:

OCF=($64,000$22,000$18,000)(10.5)+$18,000OCF = (\$64,000 - \$22,000 - \$18,000)(1 - 0.5) + \$18,000 OCF=($24,000)(0.5)+$18,000=$12,000+$18,000=$30,000OCF = (\$24,000)(0.5) + \$18,000 = \$12,000 + \$18,000 = \$30,000

  • Change in NWC: $19,000$11,000=$8,000\$19,000 - \$11,000 = \$8,000 (outflow)
  • Total Cash Flow: $30,000$8,000=$22,000\$30,000 - \$8,000 = \$22,000

Year 2:

OCF=($64,000$22,000$18,000)(10.5)+$18,000OCF = (\$64,000 - \$22,000 - \$18,000)(1 - 0.5) + \$18,000 OCF=($24,000)(0.5)+$18,000=$12,000+$18,000=$30,000OCF = (\$24,000)(0.5) + \$18,000 = \$12,000 + \$18,000 = \$30,000

  • Change in NWC: $34,000$19,000=$15,000\$34,000 - \$19,000 = \$15,000 (outflow)
  • Total Cash Flow: $30,000$15,000=$15,000\$30,000 - \$15,000 = \$15,000

Year 3:

OCF=($64,000$22,000$18,000)(10.5)+$18,000OCF = (\$64,000 - \$22,000 - \$18,000)(1 - 0.5) + \$18,000 OCF=($24,000)(0.5)+$18,000=$12,000+$18,000=$30,000OCF = (\$24,000)(0.5) + \$18,000 = \$12,000 + \$18,000 = \$30,000

  • Change in NWC: $0$34,000=$34,000\$0 - \$34,000 = -\$34,000 (inflow)
  • After-Tax Salvage Value: $31,000×(10.5)=$15,500\$31,000 \times (1 - 0.5) = \$15,500
  • Total Cash Flow: $30,000+$34,000+$15,500=$79,500\$30,000 + \$34,000 + \$15,500 = \$79,500

3. Discount Cash Flows to Present Value

Using the discount rate r=8.78%r = 8.78\%: PV=CF(1+r)tPV = \frac{CF}{(1 + r)^t}

Present Value Calculations:

  • Year 0: $104,000-\$104,000 (no discounting)
  • Year 1: $22,000(1+0.0878)1=$22,0001.0878=$20,222.89\frac{\$22,000}{(1 + 0.0878)^1} = \frac{\$22,000}{1.0878} = \$20,222.89
  • Year 2: $15,000(1+0.0878)2=$15,0001.1833=$12,677.34\frac{\$15,000}{(1 + 0.0878)^2} = \frac{\$15,000}{1.1833} = \$12,677.34
  • Year 3: $79,500(1+0.0878)3=$79,5001.2906=$61,594.92\frac{\$79,500}{(1 + 0.0878)^3} = \frac{\$79,500}{1.2906} = \$61,594.92

4. Calculate Net Present Value (NPV)

NPV=Sum of discounted cash flowsNPV = \text{Sum of discounted cash flows} NPV=$104,000+$20,222.89+$12,677.34+$61,594.92NPV = -\$104,000 + \$20,222.89 + \$12,677.34 + \$61,594.92 NPV=$9,504.85NPV = -\$9,504.85


Conclusion:

The Net Present Value (NPV) of the project is $9,504.85-\$9,504.85. Since the NPV is negative, the project should not be undertaken.


Do you want further breakdowns or explanations?
Here are 5 related questions to explore:

  1. How does the cost of capital impact the NPV?
  2. What happens if the tax rate changes?
  3. How would changing depreciation methods affect the cash flows?
  4. What if the salvage value was higher?
  5. How does the timing of cash inflows influence project viability?

Tip: NPV is sensitive to discount rates—always check for variability by conducting sensitivity analysis.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Net Present Value (NPV)
Cash Flow
Discounting
Taxation
Depreciation
Capital Investment

Formulas

Operating Cash Flow (OCF) = (Revenue - Costs - Depreciation)(1 - Tax Rate) + Depreciation
After-tax Salvage Value = Sale price * (1 - Tax Rate)
Total Cash Flow = OCF + Change in NWC + After-Tax Salvage Value - Initial Investment
Present Value (PV) = CF / (1 + r)^t

Theorems

Time Value of Money
Discounting Future Cash Flows

Suitable Grade Level

College/University (Finance/Accounting)