Definition

A measure of a company’s debt compared to its equity, used to assess financial risk and stability.

What to consider

  • Use this ratio to understand a company’s debt relative to its equity.
  • Compare it with industry benchmarks for context.
  • Be cautious of high leverage, as it can indicate higher risk.

Real world scenarios

  • Before taking on new debt, the CFO analyzed the company’s leverage ratio to ensure it wouldn’t overextend its financial obligations.

Related terms

Investments & Retirement