NPV vs. MIRR: Conflicting Rankings in Capital Budgeting Analysis

Conflicting Rankings in NPV and MIRR Methods

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Question

Despite relative congruence in their ranking methods, NPV and MIRR will sometimes produce conflicting answers. Which of the following correctly illustrates an example in which the two methods would likely produce conflicting rankings?

I. When examining projects with non-normal cash flows

II. When examining projects that differ substantially in scale

III. When examining independent projects

IV. When examining projects that differ substantially in their lifespan

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

C

While the MIRR method is designed to tackle many of the problems associated with the traditional IRR calculation, there exist situations in which the MIRR will produce rankings which conflict with those produced by the NPV method. Specifically, when mutually-exclusive projects whose lifespans or scale differ substantially are being examined. In these situations, the NPV calculation should be relied on, as this method is considered to produce the correct results.