Blue Elk Manufacturing reported sales of $820,000 at the end of last year; but this year, sales are expected to grow by 9%. Blue Elk expects to maintain its current profit margin of 24% and dividend payout ratio of 20%. The firms total assets equaled $425,000 and were operated at full capacity. Blue Elks balance sheet shows the following current liabilities: accounts payable of $80,000, notes payable of $25,000, and accrued liabilities of $65,000. Based on the AFN (Additional Funds Needed) equation, what is the firms AFN for the coming year?

A. -$146,410 B. -$131,769 c. -$168,372 D. -$183,012

A positively signed AFN value represents

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

B. a shortage of internally generated funds that must be raised outside the company to finance the companys forecasted future growth.

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

Because of its excess funds, Blue Elk Manufacturing is thinking about raising its dividend payout ratio to satisfy shareholders. Blue Elk could pay out ________ of its earnings 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?)

A. 61.8% B. 70.6% C. 88.3% D. 75.1%