Calculate the initial investment:
Powell Corporation is trying to determine the initial investment required to replace an old machine with a new, more sophisticated model. The proposed machine’s purchase price is $380,000, and an additional $20,000 will be necessary to install it. It will be depreciated under MACRS (20%, 32%, 19%) using a 5-year recovery period. The present (old) machine was purchased 3 years ago at a cost of $240,000 and was being depreciated under MACRS using a 5-year recovery period. The firm has found a buyer willing to pay $280,000 for the present machine and to remove it at the buyer’s expense. The firm expects that a $35,000 increase in current assets and an $18,000 increase in current liabilities will accompany the replacement. The firm pays taxes at a rate of 40%.