Chapter 7:

Questions and Problems 1: Sensitivity Analysis and Break-even Point

We are evaluating a project that costs $644,000, has an eight-year life, and has no salvage value. Assume that depreciation is straight-line to zero over the life of the project. Sales are projected at 70,000 units per year. Price per unit is $37, variable cost per unit is $21, and fixed costs are $725,000 per year. The tax rate is 35 percent, and we require a 15 percent return on this project.

a. Calculate the accounting break-even point.

b. Calculate the base-case cash flow and NPV. What is the sensitivity of NPV to changes in the sales figure? Explain what your answer tells you about a 500-unit decrease in projected sales.

c. What is the sensitivity of OCF to changes in the variable cost figure? Explain what your answer tells you about a $1 decrease in estimated variable costs.

Questions and Problems 2: Scenario Analysis

In the previous problem, suppose the projections given for price, quantity, variable costs, and fixed costs are all accurate to within + 10 percent. Calculate the best-case and worst-case NPV figures.

Questions and Problems 4: Financial Break-even

LJ's Toys Inc. just purchased a $390,000 machine to produce toy cars. The machine will be fully depreciated by the straight-line method over its five-year economic life. Each toy sells for $25. The variable cost per toy is $11, and the firm incurs fixed costs of $280,000 each year. The corporate tax rate for the company is 34 percent. The appropriate discount rate is 12 percent. What is the financial break-even point for the project?

Questions and Problems 6: Decision Trees

Ang Electronics, Inc., has developed a new DVDR. If the DVDR is successful, the present value of the payoff (when the product is brought to market) is $34 million. If the DVDR fails, the present value of the payoff is $12 million. If the product goes directly to market, there is a 50 percent chance of success. Alternatively, Ang can delay the launch by one year and spend $1.3 million to test market the DVDR. Test marketing would allow the firm to improve the product and increase the probability of success to 80 percent. The appropriate discount rate is 11 percent. Should the firm conduct test marketing?