The Baldwin Company is considering investing in a machine that produces bowling balls. The cost of the machine is $100,000 and production is expected to be 8,000 units per year during the five-year life of the machine. The expected resale value is $5,000 (in real terms).
Since the interest in bowling is declining, the management believes that the nominal price of bowling balls will increase at only 2% per year. The nominal price of bowling balls in the first year will be $20. On the other hand, plastic used to produce bowling balls is rapidly becoming more expensive. Because of this, production costs are expected to grow at 10% (nominally) per year. First-year nominal production costs will be $10 per unit.
The company's nominal cost of capital is 15%. The rate of inflation is 5%. Ignore taxes. Should the project be undertaken?