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Project Evaluation for Alpha and Beta- An Example

Scenario 1: Project Alpha - Non-Discounting Methods

Case A: Uniform Cash Flows

Payback Period

Initial Investment Annual Cash Inflow Payback Period
$100,000 $30,000 3.33 years

Decision: Accept the project as the payback period (3.33 years) is less than the cutoff period (4 years).

Accounting Rate of Return (ARR)

Average Annual Profit After Tax Average Investment ARR (%)
$10,000 $50,000 20%

Decision: A hurdle rate is needed to determine the acceptance of ARR.

Case B: Non-Uniform Cash Flows

Payback Period

Year Cash Inflow Cumulative Cash Flow
1 $10,000 $10,000
2 $20,000 $30,000
3 $30,000 $60,000
4 $40,000 $100,000

Decision: Accept the project as the payback period (4 years) is equal to the cutoff period (4 years).

Accounting Rate of Return (ARR)

Total Cash Inflow Average Annual Cash Inflow Average Investment ARR (%)
$150,000 $30,000 $50,000 20%

Decision: A hurdle rate is needed to determine acceptance.


Scenario 2: Project Beta - Discounting Methods

Net Present Value (NPV)

Year Cash Flow Discount Factor (10%) Present Value
1 $100,000 0.9091 $90,909.09
2 $150,000 0.8264 $123,966.94
3 $200,000 0.7513 $150,262.96
4 $250,000 0.6830 $170,747.42
5 $150,000 0.6209 $93,138.23
Total PV of Cash Inflows $629,024.64
NPV $129,024.64

Decision: Accept the project as the NPV is positive ($129,024.64).

Profitability Index (PI)

Present Value of Future Cash Flows Initial Investment PI
$629,024.64 $500,000 1.258

Decision: Accept the project as PI > 1 (1.258).

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

IRR (%) Cost of Capital (%) Decision
18.45% 10% Accept

Decision: Accept the project as IRR (18.45%) > Cost of Capital (10%).

Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR)

Terminal Value (TV) Calculation
Year Cash Flow Compounded Value
1 $100,000 $146,410
2 $150,000 $199,650
3 $200,000 $242,000
4 $250,000 $275,000
5 $150,000 $150,000
Total TV $1,013,060
MIRR Calculation
Terminal Value Present Value of Outflows MIRR (%)
$1,013,060 $500,000 15.27%

Decision: Accept the project as MIRR (15.27%) > Cost of Capital (10%).