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Bill Clinton reportedly was paid $15.0 million to write his book My Life. The bo

ID: 2786357 • Letter: B

Question

Bill Clinton reportedly was paid $15.0 million to write his book My Life. The book took three years to write. In the time he spent writing, Clinton could have been paid to make speeches. Given his popularity, assume that he could earn $8.2 million per year (paid at the end of the year) speaking instead of writing. Assume his cost of capital is 10.3% per year. a. What is the NPV of agreeing to write the book (ignoring any royalty payments)? b. Assume that, once the book is finished, it is expected to generate royalties of $5.2 million in the first year (paid at the end of the year) and these royalties are expected to decrease at a rate of 30% per year in perpetuity. What is the NPV of the book with the royalty payments?

Explanation / Answer

a, NPV without royalty = -5.28 million

NPV with royalty = 4.33 million

10.30% Cash flows Year Discounted CF                      15.00 0 15.00                      (8.20) 1 -7.43                      (8.20) 2 -6.74                      (8.20) 3 -6.11