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4. Estimating the inputs using the Black-Scholes option pricing model in the option analysis of the investment timing option

Option analysis involves gathering significant amounts of information, synthesizing the data, and using the data in models applied in option analysis.

Consider the case of Smith and Thomas Co.:

Smith and Thomas Co. is considering a project for a new cloud-based online storage system for companies and individuals to back up their data. The cost of the project is $45 million, but the future cash flows depend on how this new cloud-based online storage will compete with existing companies that offer online data backup.

The company believes that this project has a strong selling feature but is uncertain that it would earn cash flows as projected. The team proposing this project has come up with the following data:

Demand	Probability	Annual Cash Flow
High	0.45	$40 million
Average	0.35	$25 million
Low	0.20	$10 million
Projects cost of capital		13%
Life of project		Three years
52-week Treasury note		5%

The project team also noted that the company has an option to wait for one year in order to see its competitors positions and observe how the market responds. This will help in getting more information about market demand and in figuring out which set of cash flows will occur.

Analysts used different approaches to evaluate the project, but the management team insists that the BlackScholes option pricing model (OPM) will help them make a more informed decision. The model requires five inputs: (1) the risk-free rate; (2) the time until the option expires; (3) the strike price; (4) the current price of the stock, which in this case would be a proxy for the value of the underlying asset; and (5) the variance of the projects expected return.

You need to calculate both the value of the underlying asset in the project and its rate of return. For Smith and Thomas Co., the underlying asset is the project itself. The current value of the project will be the (PRESENT/FUTURE) value of its expected cash flows.

Based on the data given, calculate the value of the project, its return, and the standard deviation of the returns (using the direct method) if the company decides to wait for a year. (Cash flow values in the table are in millions. Round your answers to two decimal places).

Return =(PV Cash Flows - Probability (Pj) Standard deviation of returns: Expected Value of PVs (t=1) : Expected Value of PVs (t=0) : Analysts will use these values in the Black-Scholes model, which is represented by the following formula: V=P[N(d1)]XerRFt[N(d2)] Based on the data collected and results from the calculations, estimate the input values to be used in the Black-Scholes OPM: Return =(PV Cash Flows - Probability (Pj) Standard deviation of returns: Expected Value of PVs (t=1) : Expected Value of PVs (t=0) : Analysts will use these values in the Black-Scholes model, which is represented by the following formula: V=P[N(d1)]XerRFt[N(d2)] Based on the data collected and results from the calculations, estimate the input values to be used in the Black-Scholes OPM