Kohers Inc. is considering a leasing arrangement to finance some manufacturing tools that it needs for the next 3 years. The tools will be obsolete and worthless after 3 years. The firm will depreciate the cost of the tools on a straight-line basis over their 3-year life. It can borrow $4,800,000, the purchase price, at 10% and buy the tools, or it can make 3 equal end-of-year lease payments of $2,100,000 each and lease them. The loan obtained from the bank is a 3-year simple interest loan, with interest-only paid at the end of the year. The loan principal would be repaid in year 3. The firm's tax rate is 40%. Annual maintenance costs associated with ownership would start immediately and are estimated at $240,000, but this cost would be borne by the lessor if it leases. What is the net advantage to leasing (NAL)?
(Hint: Donât double count the tax savings from interest).
Assume that the capital structure is 100% debt when calculating WACC.