Payback comparisons Colorado Cleaning has a 5-year maximum acceptable payback period. The firm is considering the purchase of a new washing machine and must choose between two alternative ones. The first machine requires an initial investment of $25,000 and generates annual after-tax cash inflows of $6,500 for each of the next 8 years. The second machine requires an initial investment of $75,000 and provides an annual cash inflow after taxes of $9,500 for 15 years. a. Determine the payback period for each machine.
b. Comment on the acceptability of the machines, assuming that they are independent projects.
c. Which machine should the firm accept? Why?
d. Do the machines in this problem illustrate any of the weaknesses of using payback? Discuss.

China white was the black market selling of ivory, in which the profit was redistributed back into the trafficking of heroin.

Western electric has 32,000 shares of common stock outstanding at a price per share of $79 and a rate of return of 13.00 percent. the firm has 7,300 shares of 7.80 percent preferred stock outstanding at a price of $95.00 per share. the preferred stock has a par value of $100. the outstanding debt has a total face value of $404,000 and currently sells for 111 percent of face. the yield to maturity on the debt is 8.08 percent. what is the firm's weighted average cost of capital if the tax rate is 39 percent?

Sailcloth & more currently produces boat sails and is considering expanding its operations to include awnings for homes and travel trailers. the company owns land beside its current manufacturing facility that could be used for the expansion. the company bought this land 5 years ago at a cost of $319,000. at the time of purchase, the company paid $24,000 to level out the land so it would be suitable for future use. today, the land is valued at $295,000. the company has some unused equipment that it currently owns valued at $38,000. this equipment could be used for producing awnings if $12,000 is spent for equipment modifications. other equipment costing $490,000 will also be required. what is the amount of the initial cash flow for this expansion project?