1. Thornley Machines is considering a 3-year project with an initial cost of $618,000. The project will not directly produce any sales but will reduce operating costs by $265,000 a year. The equipment is depreciated straight-line to a zero book value over the life of the project. At the end of the project the equipment will be sold for an estimated $60,000. The tax rate is 34%. The project will require $23,000 in extra inventory for spare parts and accessories. Should this project be implemented if Thornley's requires a 9% rate of return? Why or why not?
2. Finnerty Enterprises needs someone to supply it with 160,000 cartons of machine screws per year to support its manufacturing needs over the next five years, and you've decided to bid on the contract. It will cost you $840,000 to install the equipment necessary to start production; you'll depreciate this cost straight-line to zero over the project's life. You estimate that in five years, this equipment can be salvaged for $60,000. Your fixed production costs will be $290,000 per year, and your variable production costs should be $8.50 per carton. You also need an initial investment in net working capital of $75,000. If your tax rate is 35 percent and you require a 12 percent return on your investment, what bid price should you submit?
3. Bruno's, Inc. is analyzing two machines to determine which one it should purchase. The company requires a 14% rate of return and uses straight-line depreciation to a zero book value. Machine A has a cost of $290,000, annual operating costs of $8,000, and a 3-year life. Machine B costs $180,000, has annual operating costs of $12,000, and has a 2-year life. Which machine should Bruno's purchase and why? (Round your answer to whole dollars.)