Dinsmore Artists International is in the business of managing singers and other artists in the entertainment industry. It is considering the purchase of an executive jet plane to transport its executives and the artists it represents to various meetings and performance sites. It expects that by owning its own executive jet, it can save $1,400,000 the first year of operation for expenses that it would otherwise incur for buying seats on commercial flights or for chartering flights. It expects that the year-to-year growth in the annual savings would be 10%.

            The choice has narrowed down to two planes: the Aero Commander and the Super Eagle. Both provide the same savings and the same basic service (e.g., the same passenger and luggage capacity, flight speed, and maximum altitude of operation).

            The Aero Commander jet sells for $4,500,000. Its normal operating expenses would be $290,000 the first year and would increase 8% per year thereafter. In addition, there would be a cost of $350,000 for a major engine overhaul at the end of the third year. Treat the overhaul cost as an operating expense. The cabin noise level in the Aero Commander is lower than in the Super Eagle, and its seats are somewhat more comfortable.

            The Super Eagle jet sells for $3,950,000. Its normal operating expenses would be $325,000 the first year and would increase 8% per year thereafter. In addition, there would be major engine overhauls at the end of the second and fourth years, each of which would cost $300,000. Treat the overhaul costs as operating expenses.

            Dinsmore uses a WACC or discount rate of 10% and a reinvestment rate of 9% to evaluate its investments in fixed assets. Tax rates are 38% for regular income and 25% for capital gains or losses.

            The jet purchased would be paid for and put into service during the first quarter of Dinsmore’s financial year. It would be depreciated according to the appropriate MACRS schedule from (i.e., 7-year life with first-quarter convention).

            Dinsmore expects to sell whichever plane it chooses at the end of the fifth year for 20% of its purchase price.

1. What is the NPV, IRR, and modified internal rate of return associated with each of the two jet planes? Based on these values, what action do you recommend Dinsmore to take?

2. What non-financial information should Dinsmore take into consideration before making its final decision? Why might the information be important in Dinsmore’s decision? How might this information change the decision in part 1?