Question

An investment costs $152,000 and has projected cash inflows of $71,800, $86,900, and −$11,200 for Years 1 to 3, respectively. If the required rate of return is 15.5 percent, should you accept the investment based solely on the internal rate of return rule? Why or why not? Select one: Yes; The IRR exceeds the required return. Yes; The IRR is less than the required return. No; The IRR is less than the required return. No; The IRR exceeds the required return. You should not apply the IRR rule in this case.

Answer 1

No; The IRR is less than the required return.

Step-by-step explanation:

Calculation of IRR is given by the formula: Lr x NPVL / NPVL - NPVH x (Hr - Lr)

where

Lr = Lower rate of discount

Hr = Higher rate of discount

NPVH = NPV at Higher discount rate

NPVL = NPV at Lower discount rate

Assume a low discount rate of 1% and a high rate of 20%

NPV at 1%

Particulars Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Cash flows 152,000 71,800 86,900 (11,200)

DCF 1% 1 0.99 0.98 0.97

Present values (152,000) 71,082 85,162 (10,864)

NPV = $6,620

NPV at 20%

Particulars Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Cash flows 152,000 71,800 86,900 (11,200)

DCF 20% 1 0.83 0.69 0.58

Present values (152,000) 59,594 59,961 (6,496)

NPV = ($38,941)

Substituting values in the IRR formula we have:

1% x [($6,620 / ($6620 - (38,941))] x (20% - 1%) = 2.06%

Therefore we reject the project because it gives an IRR lower than the required rate of return of 15.5%