Finance

What Is The Leverage Ratio And How to Calculate It?

Soumava Goswami

Finance Sep 29, 2023

Leverage ratio is a tool for businesses that helps to determine the extent to which a particular business depends on debt to purchase assets and build capital. On the one hand, it helps businesses determine their own capability to secure funding. On the other hand, the leverage ratio helps investors and lenders evaluate the ability of a business to meet its financial obligations after securing capital.

In this article, you will learn about leverage ratio in general and how it works for businesses as well as investors and lenders alike. We will also share with you details on how to calculate the leverage ratio formula of different types of leverage ratios. Finally, you will learn about the importance of the leverage ratio and how it applies to businesses. Hence, to learn more, read on through to the end of the article.

What Is The Leverage Ratio?

According to Investopedia,

“A leverage ratio is any one of several financial measurements that look at how much capital comes in the form of debt (loans) or assesses the ability of a company to meet its financial obligations. The leverage ratio category is important because companies rely on a mixture of equity and debt to finance their operations, and knowing the amount of debt held by a company is useful in evaluating whether it can pay off its debts.”

Basically, the leverage ratio is a set of ratios with the help of which you can highlight the financial leverage of a business when it comes to assets, liabilities, and equities. The ratio gives you an idea of how much of the capital of a business comes from its debt. Hence, you will get a good idea of whether the business makes well for its financial obligations.

How Does Leverage Ratio Work?

According to Hubspot.com,

“A higher financial leverage ratio indicates that a company is using debt to finance its assets and operations — often a telltale sign of a business that could be a risky bet for potential investors. It can mean that earnings will be inconsistent, it could be a while before shareholders can see a meaningful return on their investment, or the business could soon be insolvent.”

These metrics are really useful for creditors and investors to find out whether they should extend credit to or invest in the business. If the financial leverage ratio of a company is very high, it means that the company is allocating most of its cash flow to pay off its debts and is more prone to default on loans.

On the other hand, if the financial leverage ratio of a business is low, it shows that the business is financially responsible and has a steady stream of revenue. Even if a company is in significant debt, having a good financial leverage ratio shows that there are minimal risks for investors and creditors, and the business is likely worth an investment.

Leverage Ratio – How To Calculate It?

The following are the different formulae of leverage ratios based on the type of ratio you want to choose:

1. Operating Leverage Ratio

You can calculate it using this formula:

Operating Leverage Ratio = Percentage change in EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) / Percentage change in Sales

2. Net Leverage Ratio

Here is the formula to calculate this ratio:

Net Leverage Ratio = (Net Debt – Cash Holdings) / EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization)

3. Debt-to-EBITDAX

You can calculate EBITDAX using this formula:

EBITDAX (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization before Exploration Expenses) = EBIT (Earnings before Interest and Taxes) + Depreciation + Amortization + Exploration Expenses

4. Debt-to-Equity Ratio

Here is the formula to calculate this ratio:

Debt-to-Equity Ratio = Liabilities / Stockholders’ Equity

5. Debt-to-Capital Ratio

You can calculate it using this formula:

Debt-to-Capital Ratio = Debt / (Debt + Shareholders Equity)

6. Debt-to-Capitalization

Here is the formula to calculate this ratio:

Debt-to-Capitalization Ratio = (Short-term Debt + Long-term Debt) / (Short-term Debt + Long-term Debt+ Shareholder Equity)

7. Interest Coverage Ratio

You can calculate it using this formula:

Interest Coverage Ratio = Operating Income / Interest Expenses

8. Fixed-Charged Coverage Ratio

Here is the formula to calculate this ratio:

Fixed-Charged Coverage Ratio = EBIT (Earnings before Interest and Taxes) / Interest Expense of Long-term Debt

By having a good idea of your leverage ratios related to a business, you might understand how the business can run in the near future.

Why Is Leverage Ratio Important?

According to the Wall Street Mojo,

“Leverage ratios are important as they allow investors to assess a company’s financial position with respect to its financial obligations. Though firms have an option of using their equity to purchase assets and resources for undertaking different business activities, they go for taking up loans to finance their capital building. The reason is one – the cost of debt or cost of borrowing is way less than the cost of equity.”

The different types of leverage ratios help investors get a better idea of how the business’s capital flow is structured. By calculating these ratios, you can have information about a company in regard to whether it can take advantage of its leverage or not.

For example, if the company you want to invest in or lend credit to has taken too much debt, it is obviously risky for you. On the other hand, if the leverage ratio is too low and the company does not have any debt, it will be able to pay off too much cost of capital and reduce its earnings in the long run. Hence, consider your choices carefully.

Wrapping Up

Hope this article was helpful for you in getting an understanding of how a leverage ratio works. You can see here that this is one of the major financial tools with the help of which you can assess a company’s ability to meet its financial obligations. By using it to measure operating expenses, you can get an idea of how differences in output can change operating income.

The debt-equity ratio, equity multiplier ratio, degree of financial leverage, and consumer leverage ratio are some of the common leverage ratios. Do you have any more information to add regarding how to calculate the leverage ratio? Share your ideas and opinions with us in the comment section below.

Read More:

Tags:

Soumava Goswami

Inspired by The Social Network, Soumava loves to find ways to make small businesses successful – he spends most of his time analyzing case studies of successful small businesses. With 5+ years of experience in flourishing with a small MarTech company, he knows countless tricks that work in favor of small businesses. His keen interest in finance is what fuels his passion for giving the best advice for small business operations. He loves to invest his time familiarizing himself with the latest business trends and brainstorming ways to apply them. From handling customer feedback to making the right business decisions, you’ll find all the answers with him!

What Is The Current Ratio Formula? – Meaning, Interpretation, And More

The current ratio formula is used to calculate the current ratio of a business, This ratio gives an idea of the company’s capacity to repay its short-term loans that are due within a year. This ratio is really helpful for investors as it tells them about the company’s ability to meet its financial obligations. The investors thus evaluate whether the company is financially sound as compared to other competitors and stocks. ‘In this article, you will learn about what the current ratio means and how to calculate it using the current ratio formula. Apart from that, we will also give you tips on how to interpret the situation of a business using the current ratio formula. You will also learn how the current ratio works in general. Finally, we will discuss some of the major pros and cons of using the current ratio formula to calculate the situation of a business. What Is A Current Ratio? According to Investopedia, “The current ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company’s ability to pay short-term obligations or those due within one year. It tells investors and analysts how a company can maximize the current assets on its balance sheet to satisfy its current debt and other payables. A current ratio that is in line with the industry average or slightly higher is generally considered acceptable.” However, if the current ratio of a company is lower than what is expected on average from the industry, this indicates a higher risk of distress or default for the company. On the other hand, if a company has a very high current ratio as compared to its competitors in the same industry, this shows that the company might not be using its assets in an effective manner. There are various other liquidity ratios that investors use to calculate the situation of a company. Unlike other ratios, the current ratio makes use of all current assets and current liabilities. That is why the word ‘current’ is used here. It is also called the working capital ratio. Read More: Disaster Recovery Vs Business Continuity – What Are The Differences? Current Ratio Formula - How To Calculate It? According to Wall Street Mojo, “The current ratio equation is a crucial financial metric that assesses a company’s short-term liquidity by comparing its current assets to its current liabilities. A ratio above 1 indicates the company can meet its short-term obligations, while below 1 suggests potential liquidity issues. It aids in evaluating a firm’s financial health and ability to cover immediate debts.” Here is the formula with which you can calculate the current ratio of a company: Current Ratio Formula = Current Assets of the company / Current liabilities of the company The current assets of the company are listed in the company’s balance sheet. It consists of the following: Cash Accounts receivable Inventory Other current assets (OCA) that the company expects to liquidate or turn into cash within a year The current liabilities of the company are also listed in the company’s balance sheet. It consists of the following: Accounts payable Wages Taxes payable Short-term debts Current portion of the long-term debt Interpreting Using The Current Ratio Formula Based on the end result of the calculation, it can mean different things for the company. Here is how one can interpret the current ratio based on the results of a company: If the Current Assets of the company are greater than the Current Liabilities, then the Current Ratio is greater than 1. This shows a desirable situation for investors and the company. If the Current Assets of the company are equal to the Current Liabilities, then the Current Ratio turns out to be exactly 1. This shows that the company’s Current Assets are not enough to pay its short-term obligations. If the Current Assets of the company are less than the Current Liabilities, then the Current Ratio is less than 1. This creates a problem for the company since it does not have enough assets to pay for its short-term obligations. Investors mostly do not prefer to invest in such companies. How Does The Current Ratio Work? According to TheForage.com, “The current ratio describes the relationship between a company’s assets and liabilities. So, a higher ratio means the company has more assets than liabilities. For example, a current ratio of 4 means the company could technically pay off its current liabilities four times over. However, what makes a good current ratio depends on the industry.” In general, if the current ratio of the company stays between 1 and 3, it is an ideal situation for the company to get investments. However, there are certain business models and industries that operate perfectly fine with lower ratios. What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Current Ratio? The following are some of the major pros and cons of calculating a company’s capability using the current ratio formula: Pros Of Using Current Ratio Here are the major pros of using the current ratio formula: It helps in understanding how cash-rich the company is It helps in gauging the short-term financial health, and stability It gives an idea of the operating cycle of the company and how efficient it is in selling off its products A greater value shows the efficiency of the management Cons Of Using Current Ratio Here are a few cons of using the current ratio formula: It is not sufficient to analyze the financial situation of the company. The inclusion of inventory may lead to overestimation. The ratio can be unstable during seasonal sales period. A change in the inventory valuation method impacts the ratio. Read More: Matrix Organizational Structure – What Are Its Pros And Cons? Wrapping Up Hope this article was helpful for you in getting a better understanding of how the current ratio formula works for businesses. It basically compares all the current assets of the company to its current liabilities. These assets have high liquidity, that is, either they are already cash, or they can be turned into cash within a year. These can also be liabilities to be paid within a year. Calculating the current ratio helps investors get a better understanding of whether a company is able to cover its short-term debts with its current assets. Investors also compare this value with other competitors in the industry. Can you share some more applications of the current ratio formula? Share them with us in the comments section below. Read Also: Why Business Continuity Planning Is Essential For Your Company? Business Risks – How To Identify, Manage, And Reduce Them? The Best Risk Mitigation Techniques For Your Business

The Importance Of Saving For That Rainy Day That Will Come

It is likely that your parents and your grandparents have always told you to make sure that you put aside money. Who knows, the rainy days might definitely come along! We never know what is happening around the next corner. So it makes perfect sense that you would have money put away for such an emergency. Yes,saving money is important. Many different things can happen to you tomorrow, like losing the job that you have had for many years. The business wants to cut back, and they have a policy of last in, first out. Also, there might be some kind of medical emergency that may not affect you directly. But a family member may need money quickly to get the help that they need. It could be the simple things like the family car having major mechanical difficulties. So you need to get your hands on your savings as quickly as possible for your kids. This is why you need to seriously look into bank term deposits that offer you an excellent rate of interest over certain periods. Besides, it gives you peace of mind knowing that there is money there should you need it in an emergency. The following are just some reasons why it is so important to put aside money for a rainy day. Exigency in life may happen to us all at some point. Why It Is Important To Put Aside Money As we mentioned above, life is full of uncertainty. The ebb and flow of life ask you to spend beyond your planning. It is common in every individual’s life. That time you may need some money from your bank account. It denotes you ensure that you are getting it all in the form of your savings. Therefore, let's understand why you need to cut money from your earnings and look for savings. It Lowers Your Stress Levels As the head of the household, you have many things to worry about every single day your kid’s education and putting food on the table. Life does throw some curveballs at us from time to time. If you are not confident in your ability to be able to pay for any financial crisis that comes along, that is going to drive your stress levels through the roof. Hence you need to develop the habit of saving so that thig are manageable with time. Being properly prepared and knowing that you have money deposited in a bank earning a consistent interest rate helps you to deal with life’s issues. It Controls You’re Spending We all have a bad habit here in Australia: if we have money on the hip, we want to spend it because it is burning a hole in our pockets. It’s better to put this money away in a term deposit so that you are not tempted to spend it on silly things like a large-screen television or some kind of games console. Once it is out of your immediate reach, it’s more likely that you will leave it where it is, and this allows you to save and not to spend. Once you know that there is money available to you at any time, then it removes the pressure to want to borrow money at extortionately high-interest rates and then be unable to pay it back. There will also be fees incurred and penalties if you miss any of your payments, so having money tucked away in the bank makes so much more financial sense. Limits Your Debts As mentioned below, if you are in front of a situation where you have to spend your funds. Now, if you do not have a sufficient balance, you will have no other way but to go for loans. These exigencies are some things that you cannot avoid. Therefore you need to have the extra protection or, say, cushioning in the form of savings. It can help you meet your needs. Help Prepare For Retirement When you commence your habit of saving, it will go on to help you in the long run. Remember, you won’t be able to work any further in your old age. You may be under the state pension. Even it may turn out to be insufficient. It may not help you with the adequate support that you need. Therefore it is high time that you create a habit of saving your money right from a young age. This habit can help you get the best that you need. Hence develop the habit of saving right from a young age. It will assist you with an adequate amount. Ultimately you have a much more comfortable retirement. Advantage Of Saving For The Rainy Day When you develop a saving habit, you will certainly reap the advantages. Firstly you will find yourself saved from financial bondage, especially during the time when you do not have much to spend. With the help of financial independence, you can easily meet your expenses. Only and only with savings will you be able to own important infrastructure like homes, cars, education, training, and other aspects of your life? Hence, develop a habit of putting aside some of your funds. It denotes you can ward off debts when things become difficult with time. Life is not all about relentless struggles and hardships but also about spending money on happy moments. For instance, visiting a restaurant, pubs, going on a foreign trip, or spending valuable time with your friends and others. If you plan such things and moments of enjoyment, you must not recoil but live life to the fullest. Conclusion Saving from your regular expenditure is a great way to secure the future. It constantly motivates you to secure your life and meet emergency needs. At the same time, you must develop the habit so that your tomorrow and save be safe in the future. Be it a sunny day or a rainy day, you must go on saving for a brighter tomorrow. Read Also: a brief guide to business integrated planning maximizing tax refunds: tips and tricks for Canadians

Common Personal Loan Myths You Should Not Believe: A Complete Guide:

Personal loans are currently one of the most popular loans. You can use it for any purpose. You may be wondering why so many individuals prefer personal loans. Personal loans provide several advantages to borrowers. However, they are only sometimes the best solution for everyone. A personal loan has many benefits. It includes fast approval, easy qualifying requirements, speedy disbursement, and flexible payback terms. In all kinds of cash crunches, the loan can assist you. Despite the benefits, there are several myths that one should not believe. What Are The Pros Of A Personal Loan? Because interest rates are often much lower, a personal loan is usually cheaper. It is cheaper than using a credit card or receiving a payday loan. Also, payday loans must be repaid in full. Hence a personal loan is a more convenient alternative. Most personal loans are small and can be as much as $100,000. Have you considered applying for a personal installment loan but are still determining if it is wise? This article will help you with it. Moreover, if you want a personal loan, sorting payroll is essential. However, you can use a paystub generator for smooth working. A personal loan might be an excellent solution depending on your financial condition. It will assist you in making your payments. Continue reading to learn about the common myths about personal loans. Myths About Personal Loans: Read on to learn about seven common myths about personal loans. You will also be able to see the reality behind it. It will help you to apply for one. A low credit score results in loan denial: Many consumers believe they will not get their loans approved because of poor credit scores. An individual's credit score is not the only thing that banks consider. When determining loan eligibility, other variables take priority over a poor credit score. Besides an individual's credit score, financial organizations also consider other factors. It includes the borrower's income and ability for repayment. Personal loans have a lengthy processing: Borrowers avoid applying for a personal loan because they expect a longer processing time. They also believe that there is a need for more approval procedures. Personal loans are not secure. So they do not need collateral. You can issue them within 2-7 working days. You need to file the loan application with small documentation. Moreover, some lenders offer to provide same-day personal loans. Huge interest rates: The most widely held assumption about personal loans is their high-interest rates. In practice, these loans may be cheaper than other unsecured loans. Remember that having a fantastic credit score is the key to qualifying for low-interest rates. If you want a personal loan, shop with other lenders to check interest rates. Understanding what different lenders have to offer will help you get the best personal loans. It also helps individuals with bad credit to get a loan at the best interest rate. It does not have to be a stressful or time-consuming procedure. You may compare interest rates and personal loan lenders easily and quickly. It is hard to get approval: Another common myth about personal loans is that they are challenging to get. This is arguably the most common myth that is simple to believe and qualifies but is incorrect. Obtaining this form of loan nowadays is as simple. It is as simple as completing an online application and waiting for approval. Applying for a personal loan is simpler than obtaining a house or a vehicle loan. It begins with a simple online comparison of your loan possibilities with fixed and variable interest rates. The Only Lenders Are Banks: Before the internet age, banks were the sole providers of personal loans. There is a growing popularity and renown of internet lenders. Consumers today have several possibilities for obtaining a personal loan. Cooperating with an internet lender might provide you with several perks and advantages. Most significantly, the personal loan application procedure is simple and quick. You may receive an instant response to your application. You can use the loan only for personal reasons: It may be confusing to you since the term implies "personal." Many people believe that the loan is for personal purposes. Other lending organizations, unlike banks, are not concerned with how or where you use the money. They will not interfere with your plan to spend the money. You only must make monthly payments on schedule. You must show a serious commitment to return the loan amount. It is up to you how you intend to use it. You may also use it as extra funding for your business. Perhaps you need it for an emergency, such as repairing a broken automobile or home. There are so many ways where you can use a personal loan. Personal loans are available to salaried persons: It is generally believed that only people with a regular income stream are eligible to apply for personal loans. It is just another misconception about personal loan applications. When there is a consistent income stream, it is simpler for salaried workers to get their loan applications authorized. Those who are self-employed can also get personal loans. The individual's credit history determines the approval of the loan amount. But the amount approved may differ. NOTE: Many people find personal loans to be an attractive source of money. Unfortunately, most need to familiarize themselves with the many components of personal loans. There are various myths or misconceptions. You should not trust them. To take advantage of personal loans, you must first verify your beliefs. The list will help you determine what is true and what is not. Understanding these myths can help you on your loan journey. Read Also: How To Get Personal Loan On Bajaj Markets Speed Up Your Funding: A Quick Guide To Business Loans What You Should Know Before Committing To A Cash Buyer

Micro vs Macro Economics: What’s The Difference?

Economics deals with human behavior and its implications on society. This subject is divided into two broad categories known as macro and microeconomics. Micro vs Macroeconomics has lots of factors present within itself. Without an in-depth analysis, you cannot get the core points of differences between the two concepts. So, without an in-depth study of Micro vs Macro economics, things are going to be difficult for you. Microeconomics deals with individual consumers and businesses, whereas macroeconomics deals with the behavior of the aggregate economy. You must know the core differences between the two concepts that can make things easier for you. Economics studies the individual, business, and government allocates resources that can assist you to meet your requirements with ease. What Is Macro Economics? Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that studies the performance and behavior of the economy as a whole. It focuses on the study of the aggregate annual national income of the entire economy within a particular fiscal year. Marginal cost also forms a part of it. What Is Micro Economics? Microeconomics considers the behavior of the decision-makers within a particular economy, such as households, individuals, and firms. Your prime focus would be to find out the core problems of the economy at an individual level. A holistic approach is not required here. What Is The Difference Between Micro vs Macro Economics? There are several points of difference between Macro and microeconomics that you must know at your end. You should go through the differences that can assist you in getting the core points of differences between Micro vs Macro Economics. The trial balance also shows the impact of these two concepts. Basis Of ComparisionMicro EconomicsMacro EconomicsMeaning Microeconomics is that branch of economics that deals with household, individual, and firm behavior analysis at the time of allocation of resources. It comprises the goods and services of the market and deals with the issues in their economy. The Macroeconomics deals with the complete behavioral study of the economy and its performance in total. Important areas of study in the case of Macroeconomics are GDP, growth rate, inflation, and unemployment. Area Of Study It studies a specific market segment of an economy. It studies the entire economy and covers the market as a whole. Deals With Microeconomics deals with multiple issues like factor pricing, product pricing, demand & supply position, production, consumption, and economic welfare. Macroeconomics deals with various issues like national income, general price level, money, distribution, and employment. Business Application It solves the internal issues. It solves external and environmental issues. Scope Microeconomics covers issues like actor pricing, product pricing, demand & supply position, production, consumption, and economic welfare. Macroeconomics covers issues like national income, general price level, money, distribution, and employment. Significance It helps to maintain the balance between the products and the factors of production like land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship. Macroeconomics helps you maintain and solve major issues like inflation, deflation, unemployment, and poverty as a whole. Limitations Micro-economics considers some of the impractical presumptions like all people in the economy are employed which is impossible. The process and the composition are inaccurate in the process of assumption that you must know at your end. The tabular format gives the pinpointed explanation of the two concepts. Micro vs macroeconomics has other points of difference too. Let’s elaborate on them to get a complete idea about it. 1. Scope & Analysis Microeconomics deals with the behavior of individual economic agents, such as households, firms, and consumers. It examines how they make decisions regarding the allocation of resources, the production of goods and services, and the determination of prices for specific products. Macroeconomics, on the other hand, looks at the broader economy as a whole. It studies total variables of the economy, like national income, unemployment rates, inflation, and overall economic growth. It is one of the fundamental differences between Micro vs macroeconomics. 2. Focus Microeconomics focuses on the specific details of economic transactions and interactions at the individual level. It delves into topics like supply and demand, consumer choices, market structures, and the behavior of firms in different industries. Macroeconomics takes a bird's-eye view of the economy, looking at the overall performance of the economy, including issues like economic growth, inflation, and the business cycle. It aims to understand and analyze the economy's general health and stability. 3. Key questions Microeconomics answers questions such as "How do consumers make choices?" or "How do firms maximize profit?" It is concerned with issues like individual pricing decisions and resource allocation. Macroeconomics tackles questions like "What determines the overall level of employment in the economy?" or "What causes inflation or recession?" It seeks to understand the factors influencing the overall health and stability of an economy. How does the inventory turnover ratio get the impact of it? 4. Policy Implications Microeconomics primarily informs individual and firm-level decision-making. It is less directly tied to government policies, although it does have implications for regulatory and competition policies. You can go through the website of Byjus as well to get a clearer picture. Macroeconomics is closely linked to government policies and monetary and fiscal measures. It provides insights for policymakers to manage and stabilize the overall economy, such as through monetary policy, fiscal policy, and taxation. 5. Tools & Methods Microeconomists often use tools like supply and demand curves, consumer utility theory, and market structures. To analyze individual economic decisions and interactions. Macroeconomists use tools like national income accounting, aggregate demand and supply models, and monetary and fiscal policies. To study the overall behavior of the economy. Investopedia is also of the same opinion. How Are Micro & Macro Economics Interrelated? Microeconomics studies the aggregate structure, whereas Macroeconomics is itself the aggregates. In this way, both are interrelated to one another. You cannot learn macroeconomics without knowing microeconomics. End Of The Concept Hence, if you have doubts regarding the concepts of micro vs macroeconomics, then this article can be of great help for you to guide you in the right direction. Things are going to be easier for you once you go through the concepts with an in-depth analysis. You can share your comments and views in our comment box. It will be helpful for us to know your take on this matter. Share the experiences once you complete reading the article. Feel free to reach us if you have any queries left out. Read Also: What Is Net Operating Income? How To Calculate NOI? Vertical vs Horizontal Integration: What Are The Key Differences? What Is A Holding Company? – Importance, Operation, And Pros & Cons

What Is The Leverage Ratio And How to Calculate It?

What Is The Leverage Ratio?

How Does Leverage Ratio Work?