Question

Diversified Industries is a multi-product firm operating in a number of industries. Assume the firm is analyzing a new project that has risks unrelated to those of the current firm's product. When computing the net present value of the new project the cash flows should be discounted using: the risk-free rate of return. the market rate of return. a rate commensurate with the risk level of the project. a rate based on a beta of one since the firm is well diversified. a rate based on the firm's current beta.

Answer 1

Answer: a rate commensurate with the risk level of the project.

Explanation:

When computing the net present value of the new project, we should note that the cash flows should be discounted using a rate that is commensurate with the risk level of the project.

Since it is a new project and it possesses risks that are unrelated to those of the current firm's product, the risk that pertains to the project level should be used in the discounting to get the net present value.