Profitability index (PI), also known as profit investment ratio (PIR) and value investment ratio (VIR), is the ratio of payoff to investment of a proposed project. It is a useful tool for ranking projects because it allows you to quantify the amount of value created per unit of investment.
The ratio is calculated as follows:
Assuming that the cash flow calculated does not include the investment made in the project, a profitability index of 1 indicates breakeven. Any value lower than one would indicate that the project's present value (PV) is less than the initial investment. As the value of the profitability index increases, so does the financial attractiveness of the proposed project.
Rules for selection or rejection of a project:
- If PI > 1 then accept the project
- If PI < 1 then reject the project
For example:
- Investment = $40,000
- Life of the Machine = 5 Years
CFAT Year CFAT 1 18000 2 12000 3 10000 4 9000 5 6000
Calculate Net present value at 10% and PI:
Year CFAT PV@10% PV 1 18000 0.909 16362 2 12000 0.827 9924 3 10000 0.752 7520 4 9000 0.683 6147 5 6000 0.621 3726 Total present value 43679 (-) Investment 40000 NPV 3679 PI = 43679/40000 = 1.091 > 1 â‡' Accept the project
References
Profitability Index - This video discusses the Profitability Index, a metric that is used to select which positive-NPV projects to accept when there is a resource constraint (e.g., a budget). The video provides...
External links
Use explained in the business book: Pursuing the Competitive Edge, Hayes, Pisano, Upton and Wheelwright. Wiley, 2005. pg. 264
