Budgeting & Forecasting › Capital Budgeting

How do you estimate the incremental cash flows for a replacement decision?

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Answer

For replacing an asset, use the difference between keeping the old and buying the new: incremental outlay (new cost less old's disposal proceeds and any tax effects), incremental operating savings/revenues, changes in working capital, and differences in terminal values. Only differential cash flows are relevant; shared or unchanged flows are ignored.
Real-world example Replacing a machine is appraised on the extra savings and net cost versus keeping the old one.

Common follow-ups: Why use differential cash flows? | What is included in the incremental outlay?