Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

PB International Company is trying to decide between two different plant systems

ID: 2668617 • Letter: P

Question

PB International Company is trying to decide between two different plant systems. Plant 1 $360,000 has a 4-year life and requires $105,000 in pretax annual operating costs. Plant 2 costs $480,000, has a 6-year life and requires $65,000 in pre-tax annual operating costs. Both plants are to be depreciated straight-line to zero over their lives and will have zero salvage value. Whichever plant is chosen, it will not be replaced when it wears out. If the tax rate is 34% and the discount rate is 11%, which plant should the company choose?

Explanation / Answer

Plant 1:

Project cost = $360,000

Life time = 4 years

Pre-tax annual operating cost = $105,000

Plant 2:

Project Cost = $480,000

Life time = 6 years

Pre-tax annual operating cost = $65,000

Tax rate = 34%

Discount rate = 11%

Calculating Present value Costs:

After-tax Operating Cost of Plant 1 = [$105,000 – ($105,000 * 0.34)]

After-tax Operating Cost of Plant 1 = [$105,000 - $35,700]

After-tax Operating Cost of Plant 1 = $69,300

Calculating Present Value of Operating Costs:

(Using Ms-Excel "PV" Function):

Interest rate (or) Discount rate (Rate)

11%

Number of years (or) Number of Periods (Nper)

4

After-tax Operating costs (PMT)

-69300

Present value of After-tax Operating Costs (PV)

$214,999.49

Present value of total cost of Plant 1 = $214,999.49 + $360,000

Present value of total cost of Plant 1 = $574,999.49

Plant 2:

After-tax Operating Cost of Plant 2 = [$65,000 – ($65,000 * 0.34)]

After-tax Operating Cost of Plant 1 = [$65,000 - $22,100]

After-tax Operating Cost of Plant 1 = $42,900

Calculating Present Value of Operating Costs:

(Using Ms-Excel "PV" Function):

Interest rate (or) Discount rate (Rate)

11%

Number of years (or) Number of Periods (Nper)

6

After-tax Operating costs (PMT)

-42900

Present value of After-tax Operating Costs (PV)

$181,490.07

Present value of total cost of Plant 2 = $181,490.07 + $480,000

Present value of total cost of plant 2 = $661,490.07

Present value of total cost of Plant 1 = $574,999.49

Present value of total cost of Plant 2 = $661,490.07

Note: Comparing these two Plants, Plant 1 has got lowest present value. Hence, Plant 1 is preferable for selection.

Calculating Present Value of Operating Costs:

(Using Ms-Excel "PV" Function):

Interest rate (or) Discount rate (Rate)

11%

Number of years (or) Number of Periods (Nper)

4

After-tax Operating costs (PMT)

-69300

Present value of After-tax Operating Costs (PV)

$214,999.49