Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
The internal rate of return (IRR) concept is best explained by which of the following?
A
The required rate of return set by the board of directors.
B
The discount rate that makes the net present value (NPV) of an investment equal to zero.
C
The rate at which a company can borrow funds from a bank.
D
The average annual return expected from an investment over its life.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of Internal Rate of Return (IRR): IRR is the discount rate at which the Net Present Value (NPV) of all cash flows from a project or investment equals zero. It is a critical metric used in capital budgeting to evaluate the profitability of potential investments.
Clarify the relationship between IRR and NPV: The IRR is the rate at which the present value of future cash inflows equals the initial investment outflow, resulting in an NPV of zero. This means IRR is the break-even rate of return for the investment.
Compare the given options: Evaluate each option to determine which one aligns with the definition of IRR. For example, the required rate of return set by the board of directors is unrelated to IRR, as IRR is calculated based on cash flows, not a predetermined rate. Similarly, the rate at which a company borrows funds or the average annual return expected from an investment does not define IRR.
Identify the correct answer: The correct explanation of IRR is 'The discount rate that makes the net present value (NPV) of an investment equal to zero,' as this directly corresponds to the definition of IRR.
Conclude the analysis: IRR is a useful tool for comparing the profitability of different investments. If the IRR exceeds the required rate of return or cost of capital, the investment is considered favorable.