(Solved): The firm is currently in the process of forecasting sales, asset requirements, and required fundin ...

The firm is currently in the process of forecasting sales, asset requirements, and required funding for the coming year. In the year that just ended, Blue Elk Manufacturing generated \( \$ 300,000 \) net income on sales of \( \$ 14,500,000 \). The firm expects sales to increase by \( 19 \% \) this coming year and also expects to maintain its long-run dividend payout ratio of \( 40 \% \). Suppose Blue Elk'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 Blue Elk will require in additional assets. When a firm grows, some liabilities grow spontaneously along with sales. Spontaneous liabilities are a source of capital that the firm will generate internally, so they reduce the need for external capital. How much of the total increase in assets will be supplied by spontaneous liabilities for Blue Elk this year? \[ \begin{array}{l} \$ 83,600 \\ \$ 68,400 \\ \$ 72,200 \\ \$ 76,000 \end{array} \] In addition, Blue Elk Manufacturing is expected to generate net income this year. The firm will pay out some of its earnings as dividends but will retain the rest for future asset investment. Again, the more a firm generates internally from its operations, the less it will have to raise externally from the capital markets. Assume that the firm's profit margin and dividend payout ratio are expected to remain constant. Given the preceding information, Blue Elk expects to generate from operations that will be added to its existing retained earnings. (Hint: Round your answer to the nearest whole dollar.) According to the AFN equation and projections for Blue Elk Manufacturing, the firm's AFN is