OPQ Inc. considers investment in three mutually exclusive projects. Project A costs $120,000 in Year 0 and generates the free cash flow of $40 thousand per annum during the first three years, and $30 thousand in Years 4 and 5. Project B also costs $120,000 in Year 0 and generates the free cash flow of $30 thousand in Years 1 and 2, and $40 thousand in Years 3 through 5. Project C costs $200,000 in Year 0 and generates the free cash flow of $50 thousand in Years 1 and 2, and $80 thousand in Years 3 through 5. OPQ Inc. considers applying the 14% cost of capital as a discount rate for Projects A and B. Project C is riskier than Projects A and B. Therefore, OPQ Inc. management believes that they should apply the 17% cost of capital as a discount rate for Project C. What is the NPV and the IRR of each project? Which project should OPQ Inc. choose based on the NPV numbers? Which project should OPQ Inc. choose based on the IRR figures?

Review the Competency 1 Resources: Economic Fundamentals.Write a 500- to 750-word analysis (Part 1 of your report) assessing how 2 of the following major economic events influenced supply, demand, and economic equilibrium in U.S. economic activity: Rapid price increases, such as those caused by the 1973 oil embargo or the aftermath of a major hurricane Dramatic employment drops, such as the combined impact of the 2006 housing bubble burst and the subsequent Great RecessionCrippling interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve, such as those during the 1975–1985 time period Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the end of the Cold War and the “peace dividend” The dot-com bubble from 1994 to 2000, and the subsequent dot-com crashCite at least 2 academically credible sources. The use of charts and tables to illustrate data is highly encouraged. Select 1 of the economic concentrations (clusters) below:Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia, WA aerospace / defense industryCentral California winemaking industryHollywood movie industrySilicon Valley Technology hubTexas / Louisiana Gulf Coast crude oil and natural gas production and refiningPre-1994 vs Post-1994 US auto and light truck production and the reasons for the change in economic concentrationWrite a 700- to 1,050-word evaluation (Part 2 of your report) of economists’ assessments of the role the 4 factors of production played in determining how the economic concentration you selected has evolved. Complete the following in your evaluation:Analyze how the economic concentration in the area you chose was influenced by competition and pricing.Analyze how the economic concentration in the area you chose influenced the supply chain.Analyze which of the 4 factors of production were the most and least important in determining the economic concentration of the area you chose.Predict changes you anticipate for the area of economic concentration you chose. Support your predictions.Consider the resources provided and other academically appropriate sources.Cite at least 2 academically credible sources. The use of charts and tables to illustrate data is highly encouraged.Compile Parts 1 and 2 into one report.

OverviewThe Simulation Checkpoint Assignment in this course directly supports your success on the course project. You will play the simulation game, create the image file of your simulation report, and discuss learned concepts and experiences in your submission.PromptFor this assignment, you will play the first run of the Macroeconomics Simulation: Econland from Harvard Business Review, in which you will act as policy adviser for the fictional country of Econland. Select the “Base Case” scenario for this practice run. You may play the simulation as many times as you like. This will directly support your success in your course project, due in Module Eight.In your submission, remember to include the image of your simulation report. For help with this, see How to Submit an Image File of Your Report. Then, reflect on the decisions you made in the simulation and address the following government intervention options in your submission:Macroeconomic Indicators: During the simulation, you made decisions concerning government spending. Discuss the impact of your decisions on key macroeconomic indicators such as real GDP growth and unemployment. Refer to the graphs “Real GDP Growth” and “Unemployment Rate” from your simulation results to illustrate the impact.Interest Rates: Describe how your changes in interest rates impacted inflation and other key macroeconomic indicators used in the simulation. Refer to the “Inflation Rate” graph from your simulation results.Guidelines for SubmissionSubmit your assignment as a 1- to 2-page Word document. Use the Introduction section of the Final Project Template.