What is the effect of different payment structures on lease pricing?

• A. They can affect the yield and profit of a lease or loan transaction.
• B. They have no effect on the overall cost.
• C. They only impact depreciation schedules.
• D. They solely determine maintenance responsibilities.

Answer: (A)

Payment timing and size shape the cash-flow profile of a lease, which determines the return the lessor earns. The yield (or internal rate of return) depends on when money is received and how much is received each period. Front-loading payments or including a balloon at the end changes the present value of total receipts and can raise or lower the implied rate of return, so pricing must reflect the desired yield. Even if the total dollars paid over the life are similar, the time value of money, risk, and capital costs mean the economics shift with the structure. This is why payment structure matters for lease pricing. Depreciation schedules or maintenance allocations are separate considerations and don’t capture the financial impact of how cash flows are scheduled.