Answer To: You have recently assumed the role of CFO at your company. The company's CEO is looking to expand...
Shakeel answered on Jun 21 2021
Introduction
A project needs huge capital outflow followed by cash inflow till the life of the project. Since, project so undertaken is generally having long term life and involves infusion of huge capital and resources, its financial feasibility is imperative for the successful completion of project. In the words of Kusuma (2012), “the financial feasibility analysis is a systematic evaluation of capital expenditure in relation to the expected income for a particular purpose of an investment decision”. There are several techniques to assess the financial feasibility of project. Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Profitability Index (PI), Payback period, Discounted Payback period etc. are some of the major capital budgeting tools.
In this paper, the financial appraisal of a project undertaken by the Apple Inc is assessed. Apple Inc intends to expand its operation and hence, it needs to invest in Property, plant and Equipments. The life of the Invested asset is expected to be 12 years and therefore, the life of the project would also be 12 years. The relevant information regarding the Investment, Earnings, Costs and Weighted Average Cost of Capital and others are collected from the company’s Annual report and other relevant sources. Once, the free cash flow for next 12 years are estimated, three major capital budgeting tools – Net Present Value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and Discounted Payback period are used to evaluate the project for its financial feasibility.
Calculation of Investment and depreciation
It is estimated that company needs to invest 10% of the firm's net property, plant, and equipment as on Dec 2019. Therefore, the most recent 10-k report is taken and relevant information is gathered.
The property, plant and equipment = $37,378 million
Investment in project = 0.10*37,378
= $3,737.80
Life of the project = 12 years
Salvage value of Plant, machinery and equipment = 0.05*3,737.80
= $186.89 million
Since, depreciation is calculated through St. Line method,
Depreciation per year = ($3,737.80 – 186.89) / 12
= $295.91 million.
Projection of Free Cash Flow
Since the annual EBIT of the project is 18% of the project’s cost
The annual EBIT of the project = 0.18*3,737.80
= $672.80
The change in Net working capital each year is assumed to be ZERO
It is also assumed that during the project, company doesn’t make any capital expenditure.
The applicable tax rate is taken as...