Project Q has an initial cost of $257,412 and projected cash flows of $123,300 in Year 1 and $180,300 in Year 2. Project R has an initial cost of $345,000 and projected cash flows of $184,500 in Year 1 and $230,600 in Year 2. The discount rate is 12.2 percent and the projects are independent. Which project(s), if either, should be accepted based on its profitability index value?

a) Reject both Project Q and R

b) Accept Project R and reject Project Q

c) Accept either Project R or Project Q, but not both

d) Accept Project Q and reject Project R

e) Accept both Project Q and R

b) Accept Project R and reject Project Q

Explanation:

We can use the following method to solve the given problem in the question

We are given

Project Q: Initial Cost = $ 257,412

Projected Cash Flows: Yr 1 : $ 123,300 Yr 2 : $ 180,300

Total Present Value of all the Future Cash Flows using 12.2% as Rate of Return

= 123,300/1.122 + 180,300/(1.122*1.122)

= 109,893 + 143,222

= $ 253,115

Profitability Index = Total Present Values of all Cash Inflows / Initial Investment

= 253,115 / 257142 = 0.98

Since the Initial Investment is greater than the Present Value of Cash Inflows, that is, l Profitability Index < 0 the Project should not be selected.

Project R: Initial Cost = $ 345,000

Projected Cash Flows: Yr 1 : $ 184,500 Yr 2 : $ 230,600

Total Present Value of all the Future Cash Flows using 12.2% as Rate of Return

= 184,500/1.122 + 230,600/(1.122*1.122)

= 164,438.5 + 183,178

= $ 347,616.5

Profitability Index = Total Present Values of all Cash Inflows / Initial Investment

= 347,616.5 / 345,000 = 1.01

Since the Initial Investment is lower that the Present Value of the Cash Inflows, that is, Profitability Index > 0 the Project should be selected.

Accept Project R and Reject Project Q, so option B is the correct answer