The IOA Division is also considering whether to undertake an investment in the West of the

Question

The IOA Division is also considering whether to undertake an investment in the West of the country (the West Project).

An initial cash outlay investment of ￡12 million will be required and a net cash inflow amounting to ￡5 million is

expected to arise in each of the four years of the life of the project.

The activities involved in the West project will cause the local river to become polluted and discoloured due to the

discharge of waste substances from mining operations.

It is estimated that at the end of year four a cash outlay of ￡2 million would be required to restore the river to its

original colour. This would also clear 90% of the pollution caused as a result of the mining activities of the IOA

Division.

The remaining 10% of the pollution caused as a result of the mining activities of the IOA Division could be cleared

up by a further cash outlay of ￡2 million.

(c) Evaluate the West project and, stating your reasons, comment on whether the board of directors of NCL plc

should spend the further ￡2 million in order to eliminate the remaining 10% of pollution. (6 marks)

(Ignore Taxation).

Answer 1

正确答案：

(c) The net present value of the West project is dependent upon the level of environmental expenditure that will be incurred by
Division IOA at the conclusion of the project. The potential NPV of the West project can be calculated using a discount rate
of 12% per annum which assumes that the West project has similar characteristics to the North, East and South projects.
Net cash inflows for each of years 1–4 = ￡5 million
Cumulative discount factor at 12% per annum = 3·037
Therefore the present value of cashflows is ￡5 million x 3·037 = ￡15,185 million and the net cash flow after the initial
outlay of ￡12 million is ￡3,185,000.
There is now the strategic consideration regarding whether to spend ￡2 million which will restore the river to its original colour
and also clear 90% of the pollution caused as a result of the mining activities of the IOA Division, or to incur expenditure of
a further ￡2 million which will completely redress any damage done to the environment by the activities of the IOA Division.