We are evaluating a project that costs $864,000, 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 71,000 units per year. Price per unit is $49, variable cost per unit is $33, and fixed costs are $765,000 per year. The tax rate is 35 percent, and we require a return of 10 percent on this project.
a. Calculate the accounting break-even point. What is the degree of operating leverage at 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.