The capital budgeting process is comprehensive and is based on certain assumptions, models, and benchmarks. This process often begins with a project analysis. Generally, the first step in a capital budgeting project analysiswhich occurs before any evaluation method is applied-involves estimating the project's expected cash flows Evaluating cash flows with the NPV method The net present value (NPV) rule is considered one of the most common and preferred criteria that generally lead to good investment decisions. Consider this case: Suppose Blue Hamster Manufacturing Inc. is evaluating a proposed capital budgeting project (project Alpha) that will require an initial investment of $450,000. The project is expected to generate the following net cash flows: Year Cash Flow $350,000 Year 1 Year 2 400,000 Year 3 475,000 Year 4 450,000 Blue Hamster Manufacturing Inc.'s weighted average cost of capital is 10%, and project Alpha has the same risk as the firm's average project. Based on the cash flows, what is project Alpha's net present value (NPV)? (Note: Do not round your intermediate calculations.) $1,262,991 5862,991 O $412.991 O $1,337,991 Making the accept or reject decision Blue Hamster Manufacturing Inc.'s decision to accept or reject project Alpha is independent of its decisions on other projects. If the firm follows the NPV method, it should project Alpha Which of the following statements best explains what it means when a project has an NPV of $0? When a project has an NPV of so, the project is earning a profit of so. A firm should reject any project with an NPV of so, because the project is not profitable. When a project has an NPV of so, the project is earning a rate of return equal to the project's weighted average cost of capital. It's OK to accept a project with an NPV of $0, because the project is earning the required minimum rate of return. When a project has an NPV of so, the project is earning a rate of return less than the project's weighted average cost of capital. It's OK to accept the project, as long as the project's profit is positive