A company is evaluating the purchase of a machine to improve product quality and output levels. The new machine would cost $1.6 million and would be depreciated for tax purposes using the straight-line method over an estimated six-year life to its expected salvage value of $100,000. The new machine would require an addition of $70,000 to working capital at the beginning of the project, which will of course be returned to the firm at the end of the project. In each year of the machine's life, the machine would increase the company's pre-tax cash receipts by $400,000. During each of the six years, additional cash operating costs would increase by $15,000. In addition, at the end of the 4th year, a major repair of the machine costing $40,000 (pre-tax) would be required. The company has a 8% overall cost of capital and is in the 35% marginal tax bracket.

Create an Excel spreadsheet to organize your answers to the following problem.

Part 1: Prepare a Cash Flow Spreadsheet that identifies the incremental cash flows for each year of the machine's life.

Part 2: Calculate the investment's net present value (NPV).

Part 3: Calculate the investment's internal rate of return (IRR).

Part 4: Should the company purchase the machine? Why or why not?