Blue Elk Manufacturing reported sales of $$720,000$ at the end of last year; but this year, sales are expected to grow by $7\%.$ Blue Elk expects to maintain its current profit margin of $24\%$ and dividend payout ratio of $30\%.$ The firm$$s total assets equaled $$425,000$ and were operated at full capacity. Blue Elk$$s balance sheet shows the following current liabilities: accounts payable of $$65,000,$ notes payable of $$45,000,$ and accrued liabilities of $$80,000.$ Based on the AFN $($Additional Funds Needed$)$ equation, what is the firm$$s AFN for the coming year?

$-$$$109,827$

$-$$$115,318$

$-$$$104,336$

$-$$$131,792$

A negatively$-$signed AFN value represents:

A shortage of internally generated funds that must be raised outside the company to finance the company$$s forecasted future growth.

A surplus of internally generated funds that can be invested in physical or financial assets or paid out as additional dividends.

A point at which the funds generated within the firm equal the demands for funds to finance the firm$$s future expected sales requirements.

Because of its excess funds, Blue Elk is thinking about raising its dividend payout ratio to satisfy shareholders. What percentage of its earnings can Blue Elk pay to shareholders without needing to raise any external capital? $($Hint: What can Blue Elk increase its dividend payout ratio to before the AFN becomes positive?$)$

$76\mathrm{.}0\%$

$89\mathrm{.}4\%$

$80\mathrm{.}5\%$

$84\mathrm{.}9\%$