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Gateway Communications is considering a project with an initial fixed asset cost

ID: 2817247 • Letter: G

Question

Gateway Communications is considering a project with an initial fixed asset cost of $2.5 million which will be depreciated straight-line to a zero book value over the 5-year life of the project. At the end of the project the equipment will be sold for an estimated $400,000. The project will not directly produce any sales but will reduce operating costs by $730,000 a year. The tax rate is 35 percent. The project will require $50,000 of changes in net working capital which will be recouped when the project ends. Should this project be implemented if the firm requires a 12 percent rate of return? What is the NPV?

Explanation / Answer

Annual depreciation=(Cost-Salvage value)/USeful Life

=$2.5million/5 years

=$500,000/year

Hence annual operating cash flows=Savings in operating costs*(1-tax rate)+Tax savings on Annual depreciation

=$730000(1-0.35)+0.35*500,000

which is equal to

=$649500

Cash flow as a result of sale of equipment;net of tax=$400,000(1-tax rate)

=$400,000(1-.35)=$260,000

Cash flow after year 5 as a result of release of net working capital=$50000

Present value of inflows=cash inflow*Present value of discounting factor(rate%,time period)

=$649500/1.12+$649500/1.12^2+.............+$649500/1.12^5+260000/1.12^5+50000/1.12^5

=$649500[1/1.12+1/1.12^2+.............+1/1.12^5]+(260000/1.12^5)+(50000/1.12^5)

=($649500*3.604776202)+($260,000*0.567426855)+($50000*0.567426855)

which is equal to

=$2,517,204.468(Approx)

Present value of outflows=$2.5 million+$50000

=$2,550,000

NPV=Present value of inflows-Present value of outflows

=$2,517,204.468-$2,550,000

=($32795.53)(Approx).(Negative).

Hence since NPV is negative;project should not be implemented.