Which of the following projects is likely to produce multiple Internal Rates of Return.
Project A -
Initial investment outlay: ($1,000,000)
t1: $0.00
t2: $0.00
t3: $0.00
t4: $0.00
t5: $0.00
t6: $10,000,000
Project B -
Initial investment outlay: ($1,000,000)
t1: $500,000
t2: $500,000
t3: $500,000
t4: $0.01
Project C -
Initial investment outlay: ($1,000,000)
t1: $800,000
t2: ($100,000)
t3: $550,000
Project D -
Initial investment outlay: ($500,000)
t1: $400,000
t2: ($1,000)
t3: $230,000
t4: ($50,000)
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A. B. C. D. E. F.F
In evaluating projects with "non-normal cash flows" the Internal Rate of Return method will often produce multiple IRRs calculation which leads to an incorrect accept/reject decision. Non-normal cash flows are defined as cash flows in which the sign changes more than once. Projects C and D involve cash outflows superimposed within their cash inflows, resulting in a sign change from positive to negative and negative to positive. In examining projects such as this, it is advisable to use either the NPV or MIRR methods, which are not subject to the problem of multiple IRRs associated with the traditional IRR method. From observation alone, we can determine that project C and D are non-normal projects, and are thus likely to result in multiple IRRs. While project A is somewhat unusual in the fact that the first five periods produce no cash flows at all, there is only one sign change present in its cash flows, and thus is characterized as a
"normal" project.