Assignment Details:

Harding Ltd manufactures, installs and maintains Eco-Friendly Heating Systems for hotels. Their most recent financial statements are set out below:

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2019
ASSETS		€000
Non-Current Assets
Plant and Equipment		832.80
Motor Vehicles		279.90
		1112.70
Current Assets
Inventories		439.80
Trade Receivables		765.45
Cash at Bank		27.60
		1232.85
Total Assets		2345.55
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
€1.50 Ordinary Shares		600.00
General Reserve		78.30
Retained Earnings		570.30
		1248.60
Non – Current Liabilities
12% Loan Notes		375.00
Current Liabilities
Trade Payables		625.95
Tax		96.00
		721.95
Total Equity and Liabilities		2345.55
Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2019
		€000
Revenue		7811.70
Operating Profit		813.00
Interest		45.00
Profit Before Tax		768.00
Tax at 25%		192.00
Profit After Tax		576.00

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A dividend of €230,400 was proposed and paid during the year. The business wishes to invest in more plant and equipment in order to cope with an expected increase in demand. Additional operating profit (profit before interest and tax) of €180,000 per year is expected if an investment of €600,000 is made in plant and equipment.

The directors are considering an offer from a private equity firm to finance the proposed expansion. The finance will be made available immediately through either :

1. An issue of €1.50 ordinary shares at a premium on the nominal value of €2.50 per share, or
2. An issue of €600,000 10% loan notes at nominal value.

The directors wish to maintain the same dividend payout ratio in future years as in past years, whichever method of finance is chosen.

The company uses simple payback to evaluate capital investment projects such as the one proposed. Included in the projected increase in operating profit of €180,000 in depreciation per year of €30,000. The company considers capital investment projects with a payback period of fewer than 3 years to be worthwhile.

Report:

Prepare a report for the board of Harding Limited. The report should address all of the requirements raised.

Report Requirements

1. For each of the financing schemes:
   1. Prepare a projected income statement for the year ended 31 Dec 2020.
   2. Calculate the projected earnings per share for the year ended 31 Dec 2020.
   3. Calculate the projected level of gearing as at 31 December 2020
2. Assess both the financing schemes under consideration from the viewpoint of the existing shareholders.
3. Calculate the level of operating profit (profit before interest and taxation) at which the earnings per share under each of the financing schemes will be the same,
4. Calculate the payback period for the project proposed.

Advise the company on the weaknesses of simple payback and why they should consider using the net present value as a more robust method to evaluate capital investment projects.