Voice-Soft Inc. is trying to determine whether to open a new product line, Voice-Write, a speech-to-text product, which is expected to be competitive for four years. The cost of the new capital equipment including shipping and installation is $3100. The equipment will last for 4 years. They use simple straight line depreciation and the salvage value is $400. For 2013 to 2016, sales are expected to be $4000, 4000, 4200, and 4200; and operating expenses, $2800, $2800, $2700, $2700. The company is expecting to lose operating income of $200 per year due to Voice-Write cannibalizing its current product, Voice-Speak. Regardless of your answer to part I above (WACC calculation) assume Voice-Soft has a tax rate of 40% and a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of 12%.
Determine the NPV and IRR.
Should Voice-Soft make the investment and why? Explain.