Consider the following projects, X and Y where the firm can only choose one. Project X costs $600 and has cash flows of $400 in each of the next 2 years. Project Y also costs $600, and generates cash flows of $500 and $275 for the next 2 years, respectively. Which investment should the firm choose if the cost of capital is 25 percent?

Neither any of the projects should be accepted

Explanation:

In this question, we have to use the net present value formula which is shown below:

Net present value = Present value of all years cash flows - Initial investment

where,

The Present value of cash inflows is calculated by applying the discount rate which is presented below:

For this, we have to first compute the present value factor which is computed by a formula

= 1 : (1 + rate) ∧ number of year

number of year = 0

number of year = 1

Number of year = 2

So,

Rate = 25%

For year 1 = 0.800 (1 : 1.25) ∧ 1

For year 2 = 0.640 (1 : 1.25) ∧ 2

Now, multiply this present value factor with yearly cash inflows

So

For Project A,

The present value of year 1 = $400 * 0.800 = $320

The present value of year 2 = $400 * 0.640 = $256

and the sum of all year cash inflow is $576

So, the Net present value would be equal to

= $576 - $600 = - 24

And,

For Project B,

The present value of year 1 = $500 * 0.800 = $400

The present value of year 2 = $275 * 0.640 = $176

and the sum of all year cash inflow is $576

So, the Net present value would be equal to

= $576 - $600 = - 24

Since in both the projects, the NPV is negative.

Hence, neither any of the projects should be accepted