In: Finance
ABC is considering a leasing arrangement to finance some special manufacturing tools that is needed for production during the next four years. A planned change in the firm’s production technology will make the tool obsolete after 4 years. The firm will depreciate the cost of the tools on a straight-line basis. The firm can borrow $5,000,000, the purchase price, at 12% to buy the tools or make four equal end of the year lease payments of $2,500,000. The firm’s tax rate is 30% and the firm’s before-tax cost of debt is 10%. Annual maintenance costs associated with ownership are estimated at $250,000. Should the firm lease or buy?