Final answer:
Investment decisions should be made based on an understanding of IRR and NPV, considering the financial objectives and risk tolerance of the investor. Interest rate risk is a critical factor in bond investments, and PDV helps assess the value of future payments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to making investment decisions based on financial metrics such as Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Net Present Value (NPV). When the rate of return changes, it affects the present value of future cash flows, which is imperative for making investment decisions. For example, if a return increases from 6% to 9%, $100,000 saved today would be worth $1,327,000 in 30 years, demonstrating the impact of the rate of return on future value. Additionally, when evaluating projects, a higher IRR suggests a greater return percentage on the investments, whereas a higher NPV indicates a greater absolute dollar value return. Deciding between choosing the higher IRR or higher NPV depends on the financial goals and risk tolerance.
When considering investment in bonds, the investor faces interest rate risk. If interest rates rise after a bond is purchased, new bonds pay more, leading to an opportunity cost for holding the older bond at the lower rate. Calculating the present discounted value (PDV) helps in determining how much future payments are worth today, which is critical in assessing whether to invest in a bond or not.
Lastly, when a venture capitalist evaluates potential investments, they need to construct a Probability Distribution Function (PDF) to understand the potential returns and risks. This involves estimating the likelihood of various outcomes, such as making a profit or incurring a loss, and the expected return on investment.