Isaac has analyzed two mutually exclusive projects that have 3-year lives. Project A has an NPV of $81,406, a payback period of 2.48 years, and an AAR of 9.31 percent. Project B has an NPV of $82,909, a payback period of 2.57 years, and an AAR of 9.22 percent. The required return for Project A is 11.5 percent while it is 12 percent for Project B. Both projects have a required AAR of 9.25 percent. Isaac must make a recommendation and justify it in 15 words or less. What should his recommendation be?
D- Accept Project B and reject Project A based on the NPVs correct because the Net Present Value (NPV) is the most reliable measure for evaluating projects, especially when they are mutually exclusive. It represents the value added to the firm by undertaking the project. Not only that but Project B has a higher NPV ($82,909) compared to Project A ($81,406), which means it is expected to add more value to the firm. On the other hand, Project A does have a shorter payback period and a slightly higher Accounting Rate of Return (AAR), these metrics are less important than NPV for long-term profitability and value creation.The required returns and AARs are close enough that they do not outweigh the importance of the NPV difference.