Appalachian Registers, Inc. (ARI) has current sales of $50 million. Sales are expected to grow to $75 million next year. ARI currently has accounts receivable of $10 million, inventories of $15 million, and net fixed assets of $20 million. These assets are expected to grow at the same rate as sales over the next year.
Accounts payable are expected to increase from their current level of $10 million to a new level of $13 million next year. ARI wants to increase its cash balance at the end of next year by $2 million over its current cash balances, which average $4 million. Earnings after taxes next year are forecasted to be $10 million.
Next year, ARI plans to pay dividends of $1 million, up from $500,000 this year. ARI's marginal tax rate is 34 percent.
How much external financing is required by ARI next year?