Question 1.2 (12 Marks)

Socks Ltd manufactures socks and legwarmers and wants to expand its product line. The management of the company has indicated that a new machine is required to manufacture a new line of brightly coloured socks. To purchase the machine, it has negotiated financing with a favourable before tax cost of 3% interest per annum with equal annual instalments. Alternatively, the company can enter into a direct financial lease with the manufacturer of the machine, which means that the manufacturer will offer the machine and maintenance on it for the useful life of the machine at a cost of R 300 000 per year, paid at the start of each year for three years.

The machine costs R 600 000 and it is expected that it will require maintenance of R 80 000 per year, if bought. It is also expected that the machine can be sold for R 100 000 at the end of its useful life of three years. The machine can be depreciated by way of the straight-line method over a period of three years.

A tax rate of 28% is applicable. The company has a before tax cost of debt of 11%.

Required:

Determine the net advantage of leasing and advise the company on the option they should take based on your findings.