A project is planned to last for three years. Net cash inflows are forecast as £12,000 per year for three years, assumed to arise on the final day of the relevant year. Working capital of £3,000 will be required on the first day of business. The cost of capital is 6 per cent per year. In the calculation shown in Table 12.2 the working capital has to be available at the start of Year 1 (i.e. end of Year 0) but is returned at the end of the project (i.e. end of Year 3).

 

Table 12.2

Cash flows including working capital requirements

End of year

Year 0

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Cash inflows (£)

 

12,000

12,000

12,000

Working capital (£)

(3,000)

 

 

3,000

Net flows (£)

(3,000)

12,000

12,000

15,000

Discount factor 5%

1.000

(1 + 0.05)

(1 + 0.05)2

(1 + 0.05)3

Net flows (£)

(3,000)

12,000

12,000

15,000

Discount factor

1.000

(1.05)

(1.1025)

(1.1576)

Net flows (£)

(3,000)

12,000

12,000

15,000

Discount factor

1.000

(1.05)

(1.1025)

(1.1576)

Discounted net flows (£)

(3,000)

11,429

10,884

12,958

Present value

£32,271