Answer:
Contract 2 offers the most value.
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Payment terms of the contracts:
(dollars in millions)
Year Contract 1 Contract 2 Contract 3
1 $1.50 1.0 3.5
2 $1.50 1.5 0.5
3 $1.50 2 0.5
4 $1.50 2.5 0.5
Discount rate = 12%
Present value of Contract 1:
PV annuity factor at 12% for 4 years = 3.037
PV annuity of $1.50 = $1.50 * 3.037 = $4.5555 or $4,555,500
Present value of Contract 2:
$1.0 * 0.893 = $0.893
$1.5 * 0.797 = 1.1955
$2 * 0.712 = 1.424
$2.5 * 0.636 = 1.59
Total = $5.1025 or $5,102,500
Present value of Contract 3:
$3.5 * 0.893 = $3.1255
$0.5 * 0.797 = 0.3985
$0.5 * 0.712 = 0.356
$0.5 * 0.636 = 0.318
Total = $4.198 million or $4,198,000