Case Study:

Trump De Drum Ltd (TDT) is a company in aquacultural industry specialised in farming of aquatic organisms. DT is considering opening a new farm in Sandy Bay. This project would involve the purchase of 13 hectares land at a price of $1,000,000 (Note that: The land is not subject to depreciation for accounting and tax purposes). In addition to that, the company will need to purchase eight special equiments which cost $125,000 each. The equipments are expected to be in use for 5 years and after that, they will be scrapped without any residual value. Each year, each of these equipments will incur $5,000 maintenance cost. It is assumed that the farm will first be used at the beginning of the next financial year: 1 July 2021.

Before starting this new operation, TDT will need to redevelop and renovate the warehouse at the farm. This is expected to cost $200,000. Assume that TDT is not able to claim any annual tax deduction for the capital expenditure to the renovation of the building until the business is sold.

Revenue projections from the farm for the next five years are as follows:

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5
Beginning	1/7/2021	1/7/2022	1/7/2023	1/7/2024	1/7/2025
Ending	30/6/2022	30/6/2023	30/6/2024	30/6/2025	30/6/2026
Production quantity (tons)	120	140	170	185	185
Price (per tons)	$9,000	$9,150	$9,250	$9,300	$9,350

Operating variable costs associated with the new business including material costs and labour costs. Estimated material costs per tons in year 1 is $2,000 and this cost will increase by 3.5% every year. The farm will require about 6 workers working for 8 hours a day, 200 days per year. The pay rate is flat at $20/ hour including superannuation. Annual operating fixed costs associated with production (excluding depreciation) are $100,000. Existing administrative costs are $550,000 per annum. As a result of the new operation, these administrative costs will increase by 30%. The company is subject to a tax rate of 30% on its profits.

Meanwhile, TDT Ltd is currently financed by 60% of equity and 40% of debt. Companys bond is traded at a price of $980. The bond has 10 year term, 8% coupon rate paid semi-annually and face value of $1,000. In addition, companys equity has a beta of 1.2 while the risk-free rate in the market is 3% and market portfolio return is estimated to be 12%.

P. De Potato, the company CFO would like you to help him examine the viability of the project for the next five years, taking into account the projections of sales and operations costs prepared by companys accountants.

Your tasks:

Based on the information in the case study, P. De Potato has asked you to write a report to TDTs management advising them as to the best course of action regarding this project. Your report should address the following specific questions asked by management:

1. Discuss which costs are relevant for the evaluation of this project and which costs are not. Your discussion should be justified by a valid argument and supported by references to appropriate sources
2. Determine the initial investment cash flow.
3. Estimate all operating cash flows associated with the project over 5 years.
4. Calculate the projects payback period. Assuming the business could be sold at the end of the five years for $1 million. Briefly comment on your results
5. Calculate the Net present value (NPV) of the project, assuming that the initial investment could be sold at the end of the five years for $1 million. Briefly comment on your results and make appropriate remarks on the assumptions made for these calculations if necessary.
6. Estimate the Internal rate of return (IRR) of the project. Briefly comment on your results
7. Using sensitivity analysis, recalculate NPV using the scenario of
   1. A decrease in project sales by 10% annually.
   2. An increase of the sale price by 5% annually
   3. An increase of material costs change from 3.5% to 8% Briefly comment on your results.
8. In view of your answer to Point 4 to point 7 above, advise TDTs management as to whether they should go ahead with the investment project. In your recommendations, you may wish to suggest possible refinements in the method used for evaluating this project.