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EXTERNAL EQUITY FINANCING – Coastal Carolina Heating and Cooling Inc. has a 6-month backlog of orders for its patented solar heating system. To meet this demand, management plans to expand production capacity by 45% with a $20 million investment in plant and machinery. The firm wants to maintain a 35% debt level in its capital structure. It also wants to maintain its past dividend policy of distributing 55% of last year’s net income. In 2016, net income was $5 million. How much external equity must Coastal Carolina seek at the beginning of 2017 to expand capacity as desired? Assume that the firm uses only debt and common equity in its capital structure.
