A small manufacturer is considering two alternative machines. Machine A costs $1 million, has an expected life of 5 years, and generates after-tax cash flows of $350,000 per year. At the end of 5 years, the salvage value of the original machine is zero, but the company will be able to purchase another Machine A at a cost of $1.2 million. The second Machine A will generate after-tax cash flows of $375,000 a year for another 5 years at which time its salvage value will again be zero. Alternatively, the company can buy Machine B at a cost of $1.5 million today. Machine B will produce after-tax cash flows of $400,000 a year for ten years, and after ten years it will have an after-tax salvage value of $100,000. Assume that the cost of capital is 12 percent. If the company chooses the machine which adds the most value to the firm, by how much will the company's value increase?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of A small manufacturer is considering two alternative machines. Machine A costs $1 million, has an expected life of 5 years, and generates after-tax cash flows of $350,000 per year. At the end of 5 years, the salvage value of the original machine is zero, but the company will be able to purchase another Machine A at a cost of $1.2 million. The second Machine A will generate after-tax cash flows of $375,000 a year for another 5 years at which time its salvage value will again be zero. Alternatively, the company can buy Machine B at a cost of $1.5 million today. Machine B will produce after-tax cash flows of $400,000 a year for ten years, and after ten years it will have an after-tax salvage value of $100,000. Assume that the cost of capital is 12 percent. If the company chooses the machine which adds the most value to the firm, by how much will the company's value increase?

A Small Manufacturer Is Considering Two Alternative Machines