The wildcat oil company is trying to decide whether to lease or buy a new computer assisting drilling system for its oil exploration business. management has decided that it must use the system to stay competitive; it will provide $2.8 million in annual pretax cost savings. The system costs $8.78 million and will be depreciated straight-line to zero over 5 years. Wildcat's tax rate is 21% and the firm can borrow at 7%. Lambert Leasing Company has offered to lease the drilling equipment to Wildcat for payments of $1.95 million per year. Lambert's policy is to require its lessees to make payments at the start of the year.

a) Lease or Buy. What is the NAL for Wildcat? What is the Maximum lease payment that would be acceptable to the company?

b) Suppose it is estimated that the equipment will have an aftertax residual value of $900,000 at the end of the lease. What is the maximum lease payment acceptable to Wildcat now?