Consider the following project for Hand Clapper, Inc. The company is considering a 4-year project to manufacture clap-command garage door openers. This project requires an initial investment of $18 million that will be depreciated straight-line to zero over the project’s life. An initial investment in net working capital of $950,000 is required to support spare parts inventory; this cost is fully recoverable whenever the project ends. The company believes it can generate $12.4 million in revenue with $4.5 million in operating costs. The tax rate is 21 percent and the discount rate is 13 percent. The market value of the equipment over the life of the project is as follows:

Year                   Market Value ($ millions)
1 .....................................    $15.0
2 .....................................      11.0
3 .....................................        8.5
4 .....................................        0.0

a. Assuming Hand Clapper operates this project for four years, what is the NPV?

b. Now compute the project NPVs assuming the project is abandoned after only one year, after two years, and after three years. What economic life for this project maximizes its value to the firm? What does this problem tell you about not considering abandonment possibilities when evaluating projects?