DiplomatCom Is Considering a Project That Has an Up-Front Cost

question 6

Multiple Choice

Diplomat.com is considering a project that has an up-front cost of $3 million and is expected to produce a cash flow of $500,000 at the end of each of the next 5 years. The project's cost of capital is 10%.
-If Diplomat goes ahead with this project today, it will obtain knowledge that will give rise to additional opportunities 5 years from now (at t = 5) . The company can decide at t = 5 whether or not it wants to pursue these additional opportunities. Based on the best information available today, there is a 35% probability that the outlook will be favorable, in which case the future investment opportunity will have a net present value of $6 million at t = 5. There is a 65% probability that the outlook will be unfavorable, in which case the future investment opportunity will have a net present value of -$6 million at t = 5. Diplomat.com does not have to decide today whether it wants to pursue the additional opportunity. Instead, it can wait to see what the outlook is. However, the company cannot pursue the future opportunity unless it makes the $3 million investment today. What is the estimated net present value of the project, after consideration of the potential future opportunity?

• A) -$1,104,607
• B) -$875,203
• C) $199,328
• D) $561,947
• E) $898,205

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Definitions:

Total Manufacturing Cost

The aggregate expenses involved in making a product, including raw materials, direct labor, and overhead costs.

Job Costing System

An accounting method used to track costs and profitability of individual jobs or projects, allowing for precise control and reporting of expenses.

Process Costing System

A method of accounting that traces and accumulates direct costs, and allocates indirect costs of a manufacturing process, to products by averaging them over units of output.

Downstream Costs

Costs incurred after the production phase, such as distribution and marketing expenses, as well as after-sales service costs.