Meltzer Electronics estimates that its total financing needs for the coming year will be $34.5 million. During the coming fiscal year, the firm's required financing payments on its debt-and-equity financing will total $12.9 million. The firm's financial manager estimates that operating cash flows for the coming year will total $33.7 million and that the following changes will occur in the accounts noted.
Account
|
Forecast Change
|
Gross fixed assets
|
$8.9 million
|
Change in current assets
|
+2.3 million
|
Change in accounts payable
|
+1.3 million
|
Change in accrued liabilities
|
+0.8 million
|
a. How much of the free cash flow will the firm have available as a source of new internal financing in the coming year?
b. How much external financing will Meltzer require during the coming year to meet its total forecast financing need?