Click here to read the eBook: Analysis of an Expansion Project NEW PROJECT ANALYSIS

You must evaluate the purchase of a proposed spectrometer for the R&D department. The base price is $$230,000,$ and it would cost another $$46,000$ to modify the equipment for special use by the firm. The equipment falls into the MACRS $3-$year class and would be sold after $3$ years for $$69,000.$ The applicable depreciation rates are $33\%,45\%,15\%,$ and $7\%.$ The equipment would require a $$7,000$ increase in net operating working capital $($spare parts inventory$).$ The project would have no effect on revenues, but it should save the firm $$41,000$ per year in before$-$tax labor costs. The firm's marginal federal$-$plus$-$state tax rate is $40\%.$

a$.$ What is the initial investment outlay for the spectrometer, that is$,$ what is the Year $0$ project cash flow? Round your answer to the nearest cent. Negative amount should be indicated by a minus sign.

$

b$.$ What are the project's annual cash flows in Years $1,2,$ and $3?$ Round your answers to the nearest cent.

In Year $19$

In Year $2$

In Year $3$$

c$.$ If the WACC is $11\%,$ should the spectrometer be purchased?