20 November 2009
The internal rate of return on an investment or potential investment is the annualized effective compounded return rate that can be earned on the invested capital. IRR is given preference over NPV while making investment decisions and accordingly investment having high IRR is always pereferred.
In modern world, investments are done by using bank financing and not by investing own funds.
In this case, why should we look at IRR since there is no cash outflow in the first year.
In my openion we should not calculate IRR and should alway look at discounted cashflow for the purpose of making investment decisions.
20 November 2009
I support your opinion in the way that IRR assumes that all the immediate earnings are to be reinvested atleast at IRR while NPV method assumes that all the immediate earnings will be reinvested atleast at the cost of funds borrowed (Kd). Therefore, in case Cost of borrowed funds is more than IRR, our results could be misleading. Also, NPV give us the results in absolute/monetary terms as compared to relative terms (%) in IRR.
21 November 2009
I also support the above but with restriction dependint the life of project .
NPV good for 2-4 years planning but for going long i.e > 5 years scope for voltatlity in actual discount rate is higher now we decide our focus whether short or go long
So I prefer IRR for long range project for two basic reasons : -
1.Stake holder who invested must want to know the real rate return on investment they invested throughout the life of project not + or - as by NPV
2. Current Voltality in inflation rate for almost all inputs put severe pressure to know what we earned instead what we presumed the discount rate - which is not known.
Appreciate your response but as you know now a days projects are mostly funded through bank financing and there is no/ very less equity contribution. In this case, on which investment shareholders will look for the return? For them the venture which gives maximum returns in value terms is the best.
Any NPV is calculated only for the long term investments, viz 5 years or more, to see the present value of future inflows.
In accounting books still we have questios which gives cash outflows in first year and then inflows and then we see the project which give the highest compounded rate of return (IRR) for making decision. But practical senario is different.
01 August 2024
Your observation about the relevance of Internal Rate of Return (IRR) in the context of modern financing practices is insightful. Here’s a breakdown of the considerations when evaluating IRR versus Net Present Value (NPV), particularly in scenarios involving bank financing:
### Understanding IRR and NPV
1. **Internal Rate of Return (IRR):** - **Definition:** IRR is the discount rate at which the Net Present Value (NPV) of an investment’s cash flows equals zero. It represents the annualized effective compounded return rate that can be earned on the invested capital. - **Usage:** IRR is often used to evaluate the attractiveness of an investment. A higher IRR suggests a more profitable investment.
2. **Net Present Value (NPV):** - **Definition:** NPV is the difference between the present value of cash inflows and the present value of cash outflows over the investment’s life. It reflects the actual value added by the investment. - **Usage:** NPV is preferred for evaluating the absolute value an investment can generate. Positive NPV indicates a profitable investment, and the investment with the highest NPV is generally preferred.
### Relevance of IRR in Modern Financing
1. **Bank Financing and Cash Flow Implications:** - **Equity vs. Debt:** In cases where projects are funded primarily through bank financing, the equity contribution might be minimal. However, IRR remains relevant because it measures the return on the total capital invested, including both equity and debt. - **Cash Flow Considerations:** While IRR focuses on the rate of return, it does not explicitly account for the financing structure. In contrast, NPV provides a more holistic view by considering the cost of capital and financing structure.
2. **Why IRR Is Still Useful:** - **Rate of Return:** IRR provides a useful measure of the project's efficiency and profitability from an investor’s perspective. It helps investors understand the return rate relative to the investment amount. - **Comparative Tool:** For investors, especially in private equity or venture capital, IRR helps compare various investment opportunities on a relative basis.
3. **Limitations of IRR:** - **Multiple IRRs:** Projects with unconventional cash flows (multiple changes in the direction of cash flow) can have multiple IRRs, making interpretation challenging. - **Reinvestment Assumption:** IRR assumes that interim cash flows are reinvested at the same rate, which may not always be practical.
4. **NPV’s Role:** - **Value Addition:** NPV provides a measure of the absolute value added by the investment, considering the cost of capital. It is especially useful in capital budgeting as it reflects the real economic value. - **Decision Rule:** When there’s a conflict between IRR and NPV, NPV is generally preferred because it directly relates to the wealth created for shareholders.
### Practical Considerations
1. **Equity and Debt:** - Even with high bank financing, equity investors are concerned with returns on their invested capital. Hence, IRR is still relevant as it reflects the return on total invested capital. - For projects with significant debt, the cost of debt must be factored into the overall return analysis, which is where NPV’s consideration of the cost of capital becomes crucial.
2. **Investment Evaluation:** - **Long-Term Investments:** For long-term projects, NPV provides a clearer picture of value creation over time, considering the time value of money. - **Short-Term vs. Long-Term:** For shorter-term projects or those with complex cash flow patterns, IRR can be less informative and should be supplemented with NPV and other financial metrics.
### Conclusion
While IRR provides valuable insights into the profitability and efficiency of an investment, NPV is a more comprehensive measure of value creation. In modern financing scenarios where bank financing is predominant, both IRR and NPV should be used in conjunction to make informed investment decisions. IRR helps in understanding the rate of return on the total investment, while NPV helps in assessing the actual value added, taking into account the cost of capital and financing structure.
In practice, it is essential to consider both metrics and understand their implications within the context of the financing structure and investment goals.