required funding for the coming year. In the year that just ended, Bohemian Manufacturing Company generated $$500,000$ net income on sales of $$12,500,000.$ The firm expects sales to increase by $18\%$ this coming year and also expects to maintain its long$-$run dividend payout ratio of $30\%.$

Suppose BMC$$s assets are fully utilized. Using the additional funds needed $($AFN$)$ equation to determine the increase in total assets that is necessary to support a firm$$s expected sales, it is projected that BMC will require in additional assets$\mathrm{.}4.$ More on the Additional Funds Needed $($AFN$)$ equation

Bohemian Manufacturing Company reported sales of $$820,000$ at the end of last year; but this year, sales are expected to grow by $8\%.$ BMC expects to maintain its current profit margin of $24\%$ and dividend payout ratio of $30\%.$ The firm$$s total assets equaled $$450,000$ and were operated at full capacity. BMC$$s balance sheet shows the following current liabilities: accounts payable of $$60,000,$ notes payable of $$25,000,$ and accrued liabilities of $$60,000.$ Based on the AFN $($Additional Funds Needed$)$ equation, what is the firm$$s AFN for the coming year?

$-$$$140,738$

$-$$$146,857$

$-$$$159,095$

$-$$$122,381$

A negatively$-$signed AFN value represents

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.

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

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

$65\mathrm{.}7$

$70\mathrm{.}1$

$78\mathrm{.}8$

$87\mathrm{.}6$