What does salvage value represent in investment analysis?

Salvage value is crucial in investment analysis as it represents the estimated residual value that an asset will fetch upon sale at the end of its useful life. This value is significant because it provides an estimate of how much money can be recaptured at the end of an asset's useful life, impacting the overall return on investment.

When an investor or financial analyst evaluates an investment, the salvage value will influence the calculation of total depreciation and the net cash flow generated from the asset. It helps in determining the actual profitability of the investment, as the expected cash flows must be assessed against not only the initial investment and operational costs but also the anticipated proceeds from selling the asset at the end of its life.

In contrast, initial cost refers to the purchase price of the investment, total expenses encompass all operating costs incurred during the investment's life, and annual depreciation indicates the periodic allocation of the asset's cost over its useful life. Each of these factors plays a role in investment evaluation, but none capture the essence of salvage value as the final selling price that contributes to the total financial outcome upon divestment of the asset.