In: Finance
A firm is considering installing a sprinkler system to minimize damage in the event of a fire. The sprinkler system will last only 3 years. The initial cost of the system is $30,000. Thus, the firm will take a $10,000 depreciation expense for the equipment each year. Yearly maintenance is expected to be $2,000. If the firm installs the system, its insurance premium can be reduced by $5,000 each year and the losses are expected to decrease by $9,000 each year. The firm’s tax rate is 30% and its opportunity cost of capital (appropriate discount rate) is 7%.
a) What is the net present value (NPV) of the project?
b) What is the most likely decision regarding this project – accept or reject? Explain.
(a) NPV = Present value of cash inflows - Present value of cash outflows
NPV= $33591.04 - $35248.6
= - $1657.56
Working Notes
1. Calculation of Present value of cash outflows
Given Details:-
Cost of capital = 7%,Initial investment = $30000, Yearly maintenance cost = $2000
Year | Cash outflow in $(a) | Present value factor @7% (b) |
Present value of outflows in $ (a) * (b) |
0 | 30000 | 1 | 30000 |
1 | 2000 | .9346 | 1869.2 |
2 | 2000 | .8734 | 1746.8 |
3 | 2000 | .8163 | 1632.6 |
Total present value of cash outflow = 30000+ 1869.2+1746.8+1632.6 = $35248.6
2. Calculation of Present value of cash inflows
Given Details:-
Cost of capital = 7%,Tax rate = 30%,Depreciation cost = $10000, Saving in insurance premium per annum= $5000,Decrease in losses per annum = $9000
Cash inflow after tax is calculated = cashflow(1-tax rate)
Cashflow = $9000+ $5000- $10000 = $4000
Cashflow after tax = 4000(1-.30) = $2800
Year | Cash Inflow after tax in $(a) | Depreciation in $ (b) |
Total Cash inflow in $ (c) = (a) + (b) |
Present value factor @7% (d) |
Present value of inflows in $ (c) * (d) |
1 | 2800 | 10000 | 12800 | .9346 | 11962.88 |
2 | 2800 | 10000 | 12800 | .8734 | 11179.52 |
3 | 2800 | 10000 | 12800 | .8163 | 10448.64 |
Total present value of cashinflow = $11962.88+$11179.52+$10448.64 = $33591.04
(b) Since from above solution we see that the NPV is negative, which means that the outflow is more tan the inflows. Thus it is advisable to reject the project.