The hurdle rate represents the lowest yield on a venture or investment that is required by a business owner or an investor. It allows businesses to make crucial decisions about whether or to pursue a specific project. The hurdle rate outlines the proper compensation for the risk currently in the project. Projects with higher risk generally have more hurdles than projects with lower risk.
To establish the rate, here are the main aspects to be taken into consideration: the associated risk, cost of capital as well as the return of other investments or projects.
Understanding Hurdle Rates
Hurdle rate is a major factor in the world of business particularly in relation to projects and future ventures. Companies decide whether to accept large-scale projects in relation to the degree of risk involved. If the expected rate return is greater than the threshold rate, the investment is considered to be sound. If the return is below the threshold rate, investors can decide not to proceed. A hurdle rate may also be called the break-even yield.
There are two ways in which the feasibility of a plan is assessed. The first is that companies decide by its net present value (NPV) approach , by conducting an discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis.
In cash flow, the funds are discounted according to the set rate that the company decides to use as the rate of return minimum needed for an investment project and the hurdle rate. The value of discounted cash flows is based on the discount rate utilized in discounting them. The total price of the undertaking then subtracted from those discounted cash flows by using the threshold rate in order to calculate the net value of the project in its present. When it is determined that the NPV can be determined to be positive, then the business will accept the project. Many companies utilize the WACC, or weighted average cost of Capital (WACC) to determine their threshold rate.
In the second approach that is used, it is the Internal rate of Return (IRR) for projects is calculated, and is compared with the rate of hurdle. If the IRR surpasses the threshold rate, then the project is likely to continue.
Hurdle Rate Utilization
A lot of times the term risk-based premium is ascribed to a prospective investment to represent the amount of risk. The greater your risk is, the greater the risk-premium should besince it considers how much the chance loss of your funds is greater as well as the expected yield on the investment be higher. The risk premium is usually added to the WACC in order to calculate the most appropriate hurdle rate.
Utilizing a hurdle rate to assess the potential of an investment will eliminate any bias that is created due to a preference for a particular project. If you assign a risk level, investors can utilize an estimate of the rate used to show whether the investment has financial value, regardless of the assigned inherent value.
A company, for instance, that has a hurdle rate at 10% in projects that are acceptable will most likely approve the project when it has IRRs of 14 percent and does not pose a significant risk. In contrast, reducing the projected cash flows from this project at 90% of the rate at which the project is deemed to be a hurdle could create a substantial plus net present value that would in turn result in the project’s acceptance.
Example of Hurdle Rate
Let’s look at an example that is simplified. Amy’s Hammer Supply is looking to buy a new piece of equipment. It believes that using this new piece of equipment will increase the sales of hammers, which will result in an 11% on the investment. This is because the WACC for the company is 5%, and the possibility of not selling any additional hammers is minimal, which means the low-risk cost is put at 3.3%. The hurdle rate then is:
WACC (5 percent) Plus Risk cost (3 percent) = 8 percent
The threshold rate is 8% as well as the projected return of the investment is greater at 11%, buying the new piece of equipment would be a wise investment.
Advantages and disadvantages of a Hurdle Rate
Hurdle rates tend to favor investments or projects which have high returns on a per-cent basis even though the dollar value is lower. For instance Project A will yield 20% return and a value in dollars of $10. Project B is a return of 10 percent and a profit of $20. Project A would most likely be picked because it has more of a return even though it earns less in terms of total dollar value.
Furthermore, selecting the right risk-based premium is not an easy task because it’s not a certain number. A venture or investment could result in a lower or higher return than anticipated and, if selected in the wrong way, it can lead to a decision which isn’t the best investment or which results in missed opportunities.
Why Hurdle Rate is Important?
The hurdle ratio, often known as break-even yield is crucial in the world of business in particular in relation to future projects and ventures. Companies decide whether to invest in capital projects based on the amount of risk that comes with it. If the expected rate return is higher than the threshold rate, then the investment is considered to be sound. If the return is lower than the threshold rate, then the investor can decide to not move on.
What are the disadvantages in Hurdle Ratio?
Hurdle rates generally favor investment projects or ventures with high returns in a percentage regardless of whether the dollar value is lower. Also, selecting an appropriate risk level is not an easy task since it’s not a certain value. An investment or project could result in a lower or higher return than anticipated and, if selected wrongly, it could lead to a decision that isn’t a good investment or which results in missed opportunities.
How is a Hurdle Rate Calculated?
Businesses can select an arbitrary hurdle rate to reduce the cash flows in order to determine what is the net present value (NPV) that the plan. When you find that your NPV is positive then the company is likely to approve the project. In most cases, firms add a risk-based premium on top of their weighted average capital cost (WACC) that is the total return required and is set as their threshold rate.
