Assume that you are thinking about starting your own small business. You have made the following estimates regarding this opportunity:

• You can rent a location for your business at a cost of $36,000 per year.
• The equipment costs incurred to start the business would total $250,000. The equipment would have a 5-year useful life and a salvage value of $25,000.
• Your companys estimated sales per year would equal $350,000 and its variable cost of goods sold would be 30% of sales.
• Other operating costs would include $57,000 per year in salaries, $4,000 per year for insurance, $25,000 per year for utilities, and a 3% sales commission.

The simple rate of return for this investment opportunity is closest to:

• 27.0%.

• 22.4%.

• 16.1%.

• 19.3%.