You have been hired as a consultant for Conch Republic Electronics Inc., manufacturer of smartphones. The market for smartphones is growing quickly. The company bought some land three years ago for $1.9 million in anticipation of using it as a waste dump site but has recently hired another company to handle all waste materials. Based on a recent appraisal, the company believes it could sell the land for $2.1 million on an after-tax basis. In four years, the land could be sold for $2.3 million after taxes. The company also hired a marketing firm to analyze the smartphone market, at a cost of $175,000. An excerpt of the marketing report is as follows:

The smartphones industry will have a rapid expansion in the next four years. We feel that the company will be able to sell 5,100, 5,800, 6,400, and 4,700 units each year for the next four years, respectively. Also, we feel that a premium price of $425 can be charged for each smartphone. Because smartphones appear to be a fad, we feel at the end of the four-year period, sales should be discontinued.

Conch Republic Electronics Inc. believes that fixed costs for the project will be $345,000 per year, and variable costs are 15 percent of sales. The equipment necessary for production will cost $2.65 million and will be depreciated according to a three-year MACRS schedule. At the end of the project, the equipment can be scrapped for $395,000. Net working capital of $125,000 will be required immediately. Conch Republic Electronics Inc. has a 22 percent tax rate, and the required return on the project is 13 percent.

What is the NPV of the project?

What is the IRR of the project?

Should the firm proceed with the project?