The Seattle Corporation has an investment opportunity that will yield cash flows of $30,000 per year in Years 1 through 4, $35,000 per year in Years 5 through 9, and $40,000 in Year 10. This investment will cost $150,000 today, and the firm's WACC is 10%. What is the payback period for this investment?

4.86 years

Explanation:

Data provided in the question:

Cash flow each year from year 1 to year 4 = $30,000

Cash flow in year 5 through 9 = $35,000

Cash flow in year 10 = $40,000

Initial investment = $150,000

Firm's WACC = 10%

Now,

Accumulated cash flow for 4 years = $30,000 * 4 = $120,000

Accumulated Cash flow for 5 years = $120,000 + $35,000

= $155,000 > amount invested ($150,000)

Thus,

Remaining payback amount required in year 5 = $150,000 - $120,000

= $30,000

Payback period for $30,000 in year 5 = [$30,000 : Annual cash flow]

= $30,000 : $35,000

= 0.86 years

Hence,

Total payback period for this investment is

= 4 years + 0.86 years

= 4.86 years