ABC Company is considering two projects. The company has funding of $230 million availble to expand its sales distribution. Project A would allow the company to expand into some new but unproven products. Project B would allow the company to expand its existing product line-up although some of the product is aging quickly. The company president wants to minmize risk since the company is running just above break-even and is, therefore, marginally profitable right now. New products have potential as the company has a good reputation for innovation, quality and service. Existing products have expereinced fierce competition of late but customers have been loyal. The required project payback period is maximum 3 years and the required return is 10%.

Project B has the following capital budgeting statistics: Net present value (NPV) $42.4 Million Internal rate of return (IRR) 17.1% Payback period 3 years (Target maximum 3 years) Profitability index 1.18 Average EBIT $51.2 Million average over 5 years

Calculate the same statistics for Project A given the assumptions below: Assumptions: Project life 5 years Tax rate 50% Discount rate (WACC) 10% required return Interest expense $20 Million a year Internal rate of return (IRR) 19.6% (given) Investment $200.0 Million Depreciation $40.0 Million a year for 5 years Working capital $30.0 Million but reverses in Year 5 Salvage value Zero (investment assets are worthless in 5 years) Operating profit (EBIT): Year 1 $50.0 Million Year 2 $70.0 Million Year 3 $70.0 Million Year 4 $70.0 Million Year 5 $70.0 Million Explain, which project, is best for the company to select and discuss why