Project: Evaluate the Capital Investment Scenario Shoals Corporation puts significant emphasis on cash flow when planning capital investments. The company chose its discount rate of 8 percent based on the rate of return it must pay its owners and creditors. Using that rate, Shoals Corporation then uses different methods to determine the most appropriate capital outlays. This year, Shoals Corporation is considering buying five new backhoes to replace the backhoes it now owns. The new backhoes are faster, cost less to run, provide for more accurate trench digging, have comfort features for the operators, and have 1-year maintenance agreements to go with them. The old backhoes are working just fine, but they do require considerable maintenance. The backhoe operators are very familiar with the old backhoes and would need to learn some new skills to use the new backhoes. The following information is available to use in deciding whether to purchase the new backhoes: Old Backhoes New Backhoes Purchase cost when new $90,000 $200,000 Salvage value now $42,000 Investment in major overhaul needed in next year $55,000 Salvage value in 8 years $15,000 $90,000 Remaining life 8 years 8 years Net cash flow generated each year $30,425 $43,900 Instructions 1. Evaluate, discuss, and compare whether to purchase the new equipment or overhaul the old equipment. (Hint: For the old machine, the initial investment is the cost of the overhaul. For the new machine, subtract the salvage value of the old machine to determine the initial cost of the investment.)  Calculate the net present value of the old backhoes and the new backhoes.  Discuss the net present value of each, including what the calculations reveal about whether the company should purchase the new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes.  Calculate the payback period for keeping the old backhoes and purchasing the new backhoes. (Hint: For the old machines, evaluate the payback of an overhaul.)  Discuss the payback method and what the payback periods of the old backhoes and new backhoes reveal about whether the company should purchase new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes. Calculate the profitability index for keeping the old backhoes and purchasing new backhoes.  Discuss the profitability index of each, including what the calculations reveal about whether the company should purchase the new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes. 2. Identify and discuss any intangible benefits that might influence this decision. 3. Answer the following: Should the company purchase the new backhoes or continue using the old backhoes? Explain your decision. This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:  Analyze the financial condition of a company using vertical, horizontal, and ratio analysis to make informed decisions.

Choose one of the following prompts to write on: In the novel, animals are so rare because most are extinct, and they are tended very carefully, but not out of compassion or love--only as status symbols prized for their ability to confer an aura of success on their owners. What does the novel have to say about Western consumerism? About Western values in general? How current are these ideas? Can you apply any theories or ideas found in any of our other texts in this class about consumerism to any of the issues that you see raised in the novel?One important question is “what is it to be human?” What is Dick’s answer to this question? How are androids and humans contrasted in this novel, and to what purpose? Is his view of human nature inherently negative, positive, mixed, or ambiguous? Can you apply any theories or ideas about human nature found in any of our other texts in this class to any of the issues that you see raised in the novel?One of the goals of the novel is to show that so long as humans are anxious about their own tools, those tools will be seen as having some innate power over mankind. In other words, regardless of technology's fallibility, if humans regard themselves as less smart or less able than their tools, then they will be at the mercy of their tools. Technology will advance, regardless of what the majority of humanity feels about that technology. Any struggle to remain the ruler or owner of new technology will surely fail. Is this a reasonable viewpoint? What does the novel say about the relationship between humans and technology? About inevitable technological progress? Can you apply any theories or ideas about the relationship between humans and technology found in any of our other texts I this class to any of the issues that you see raised in the novel? *Be sure to include at least three quotes total, one of which should be from a different text we’ve read apart from the novel* For citation from the novel, use this format: (Dick, 110)Composition, Spelling, and Grammar: Is your language clear and precise college-level writing? Are you using correct terminology? Did you proofread your essay carefully? Are the ideas in your essay logically ordered? Mechanics: Did you draw upon ideas from at least one other author from the class? Did you use parenthetical citation and cite your sources? Did you employ at least three quotes total? Is your essay in 12 point Times New Roman Font with 1-inch margins?

Instructions Write a 2–3 paragraph essay in which you do the following: Explain the concepts of capitalism and socialism. Compare and contrast capitalism and socialism with supporting definitions, explanations, and examples. Identify three pros and three cons for both capitalism and socialism. The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is: Examine the role capitalism plays in corporate decision-making.