New England Metals is considering adding a new product line that has an expected life of 8 years. The product manufacturer would require the firm to incur setup costs of $6,400,000 to handle the new product line. All product line revenues will be collected as earned. Variable costs will average 35 percent of revenues. All expenses, except for the amount of straight-line depreciation, will be paid in cash when incurred. Following is a schedule of annual revenues and fixed cash operating expenses (excluding $800,000 of annual depreciation on the investment) associated with the new product line.

The company's cost of capital is 8 percent. Management uses this rate in discounting cash flows for evaluating capital projects.
a. Calculate the payback period. (Ignore taxes.)
b. Calculate the net present value. (Ignore taxes.)
c. Calculate the accounting rate of return. (Ignore taxes.)
d. Should New England Metals invest in this product line? Discuss the rationale, including any qualitative factors, for youranswer.

Year Revenues $3,000,000 3,200,000 3,720,000 5,120,000 6,400,000 6,400,000 4,480,000 2,720,000 Fixed Expenses $1,480,000 1,280,000 1280,000 1,440,000 1,280,000 1,280,000 1,280,000 1,120,000