Problem $4-29($Algo$)$ Percent$-$of$-$sales method $[$LO$4-3]$

Conn Man's Shops, a national clothing chain, had sales of $$340$ million last year. The business has a steady net profit margin of $8$

percent and a dividend payout ratio of $35$ percent. The balance sheet for the end of last year is shown.

The firm's marketing staff has told the president that in the coming year there will be a large increase in the demand for overcoats and

wool slacks. A sales increase of $10$ percent is forecast for the company.

All balance sheet items are expected to maintain the same percent$-$of$-$sales relationships as last year,$*$ except for common stock and

retained earnings. No change is scheduled in the number of common stock shares outstanding, and retained earnings will change as

dictated by the profits and dividend policy of the firm. $($Remember$,$ the net profit margin is $8$ percent.$)$

$*$This includes fixed assets, since the firm is at full capacity.

a$.$ Will external financing be required for the company during the coming year?

No

Yes

b$.$ What would be the need for external financing if the net profit margin went up to $9\mathrm{.}50$ percent and the dividend payout ratio was

increased to $65$ percent?

Note: Negative amount should be indicated by a minus sign. Do not round intermediate calculations. Enter your answer in

dollars, not millions, $($e$.$g$.,$ $$1,234,567).$ Input your answer as positive a value.

Required new funds