Question

The capital investment committee of Arches Landscaping Company is considering two capital investments. The estimated operating income and net cash flows from each investment are as follows:

	Front-End Loader					Greenhouse
Year	Operating Income		Net Cash Flow			Operating Income		Net Cash Flow
1	$59,400		$194,000			$125,000		$310,000
2	59,400		194,000			95,000		262,000
3	59,400		194,000			48,000		184,000
4	59,400		194,000			21,000		126,000
5	59,400		194,000			8,000		88,000
Total	$297,000		$970,000			$297,000		$970,000

Each project requires an investment of $540,000. Straight-line depreciation will be used, and no residual value is expected. The committee has selected a rate of 12% for purposes of the net present value analysis.

Present Value of $1 at Compound Interest
Year	6%	10%	12%	15%	20%
1	0.943	0.909	0.893	0.870	0.833
2	0.890	0.826	0.797	0.756	0.694
3	0.840	0.751	0.712	0.658	0.579
4	0.792	0.683	0.636	0.572	0.482
5	0.747	0.621	0.567	0.497	0.402
6	0.705	0.564	0.507	0.432	0.335
7	0.665	0.513	0.452	0.376	0.279
8	0.627	0.467	0.404	0.327	0.233
9	0.592	0.424	0.361	0.284	0.194
10	0.558	0.386	0.322	0.247	0.162

Required:

1a. Compute the average rate of return for each investment. If required, round your answer to one decimal place.

	Average Rate of Return
Front-End Loader	%
Greenhouse	%

1b. Compute the net present value for each investment. Use the present value of $1 table above. If required, round to the nearest dollar. If required, use the minus sign to indicate a negative net present value.

	Front-End Loader	Greenhouse
Present value of net cash flow	$	$
Amount to be invested
Net present value	$	$

Answer 1

1a. Compute the average rate of return for each investment. If required, round your answer to one decimal place.

	Average Rate of Return
Front-End Loader	59400/270000 = 22%
Greenhouse	22%

1b. Compute the net present value for each investment. Use the present value of $1 table above. If required, round to the nearest dollar. If required, use the minus sign to indicate a negative net present value.

	Front-End Loader	Greenhouse
Present value of net cash flow	$699370	$746674
Amount to be invested	-540000	-540000
Net present value	$159370	$206674