The management of Retz Corporation is considering the purchase of a new machine costing $500,000. The company's desired rate of return is 10%. The present value factors for $1 at compound interest of 10% for 1 through 5 years are 0.909, 0.826, 0.751, 0.683, and 0.621, respectively. In addition to the foregoing information, use the following data in determining the acceptability in this situation: The present value index for this investment is:
a. 0.70
b. 0.95
c. 1.05
d. 1.30