Net Present Value Method

Net present value (NPV) is one method that can be used to evaluate the financial viability of potential projects. It determines the present value of all future cash flows associated with potential projects and measures this against the cost of the project. To use net present value, a required rate of return must be defined. The required rate of return is the minimum acceptable rate of return that an investment must yield for it to make sense economically. Managers often choose a required rate of return above their cost of capital to ensure that the inherent uncertainties surrounding future cash flows is addressed. This can be risky, however, as it biases the process toward short-term projects. If the NPV is positive, then the project should be accepted; if it is negative, then the project should be rejected.

Let's look at a net present value example using the present value of an ordinary annuity table.

The company has a project with a 5-year life that requires an initial investment of $200,000, and is expected to yield annual cash flows of $61,000. What is the net present value of the project if the required rate of return is set at 12%?

Calculation Steps

Present Value of an Annuity of $1 at Compound Interest.

Net Present Value = ($____________ x ____________) - $____________

Note: Round your answer to the nearest whole dollar.

What NPV does the previous calculation yield? $____________

Based on the NPV computed above, what is indicated?

The project is profitable

Yes, the initial investment will be recovered.

Yes, the required rate of return will be recovered.

A positive NPV in excess of the initial investment and required rate of return has been achieved.

Present Value Index

When funds for capital investments are limited, projects can be ranked using a present value index. A project with a negative net present value will have a present value index below 1.0. Also, it is important to note that a project with the largest net present value may, in fact, return a lower present value per dollar invested.

Let's look at an example of how to determine the present value index.

The company has a project with a 5-year life, an initial investment of $195,000, and is expected to yield annual cash flows of $58,000. Whathat is the present value index of the project if the required rate of return is set at 10%?

Present Value Index =	Total present value of net cash flows
	Initial investment

Present Value Index =	$____________	= ____________
	$____________

Internal Rate of Return Method

The internal rate of return (IRR) method uses present value concepts to compute the rate of return from a capital investment proposal based on its expected net cash flows. This method, sometimes called the time-adjusted rate of return method, starts with the proposal's net cash flows and works backward to estimate the proposal's expected rate of return.

Let's look at an example of internal rate of return calculation with even cash flows.

A company has a project with a 5-year life, requiring an initial investment of $229,600, and is expected to yield annual cash flows of $57,500. What is the internal rate of return?

IRR Factora =	Investmentb
	Annual cash flowsc

aIRR Factor: This is the factor which youll use on the table for the present value of an annuity of $1 dollar in order to find the percentage which corresponds to the internal rate of return.

bInvestment: This is the present value of cash outflows associated with a project. If all of the investment is up front at the beginning of the project, the present value factor is 1.000.

cAnnual Cash Flows: This is the amount of cash flows to be received annually as a result of the project.

Present Value of an Annuity of $1 at Compound Interest.

IRR Factor =	$____________	=____________ , rounded to 6 decimals
	$____________

The calculated factor corresponds to which percentage in the present value of ordinary annuity table? ____________%

Net present value and Present value index

Underwood Industries is looking to invest in Project A or Project B. The data surrounding each project is provided below. Underwood's cost of capital is 11%.
Project A	Project B
This project requires an initial investment of $165,000. The project will have a life of 6 years. Annual revenues associated with the project will be $130,000 and expenses associated with the project will be $35,000	This project requires an initial investment of $137,500. The project will have a life of 4 years. Annual revenues associated with the project will be $109,000 and expenses associated with the project will be $60,000.

Calculate the net present value and the present value index for each project using the present value tables provided below.

Present Value of $1 (a single sum) at Compound Interest.

Present Value of an Annuity of $1 at Compound Interest.

Use a minus sign to indicate a negative NPV.

If an amount is zero, enter "0".

Enter the present value index to 2 decimals.

	Project A	Project B
Total present value of net cash flow	$____________	$____________
Amount to be invested	____________	____________
Net present value	$____________	$____________
Present value index:
Project A	____________
Project B		____________

Internal rate of return

The Underwood purchasing department has made revisions to their costs and annual cash flows for Project A and Project B, as outlined below.
Project A	Project B
Project A's revised investment is $219,600. The project's life and cash flow have changed to 6 years and $47,500, respectively, while expenses have been eliminated	Project B's revised investment is $126,400. The project's life and cash flow have changed to 5 years and $87,500 while expenses reduced slightly to $55,000.

Compute the internal rate of return factor for Project A and Project B and then identify each project's corresponding percentage from the PV ordinary annuity table.

Note: Enter the IRR factor, to 5 decimal places.

Project A: The calculated IRR factor is ____________ and this value corresponds to which percentage in the present value of ordinary annuity table? ____________%

Project B: The calculated IRR factor is ____________ and this value corresponds to which percentage in the present value of ordinary annuity table? ____________%