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Debt to Equity Ratio: Definition, How to Calculate & Examples

Written by Paul Boyce Posted in Finance > Corporate Finance
Last Updated June 29, 2023

What is Debt to Equity Ratio?

The financial health of a business is assessed by various stakeholders – investors, lenders, market analysts, etc., to make informed decisions. One such critical metric used in financial analysis is the Debt to Equity Ratio. This ratio provides insights into the financial leverage a company possesses and its ability to repay its debts. It is a measure of the proportion of the company’s funding that comes from debt (borrowed money) compared to equity (owners’ investments).

Key Points

The debt-to-equity ratio measures the proportion of a company’s funding that comes from debt compared to equity.
A higher debt-to-equity ratio indicates that a company has more debt relative to its equity, suggesting higher financial risk.
A lower debt-to-equity ratio indicates that a company relies more on equity financing and may be considered less risky.

Understanding Debt to Equity Ratio

The Debt to Equity Ratio is a financial metric used to evaluate a company’s financial leverage by comparing its total liabilities (debt) to the shareholders’ equity. It shows how much of the company’s operations are financed by debt relative to the money owners have invested.

In simpler terms, this ratio tells us how much debt is being used to finance the company’s assets relative to the value of shareholders’ equity. It is crucial for determining the financial risk of a business — a company with a high debt to equity ratio may not be able to generate enough cash to satisfy its debt obligations, which could lead to financial distress and even bankruptcy in severe cases.

Conversely, a low debt to equity ratio might suggest a company is not taking advantage of the increased profits that financial leverage may bring. However, what is considered a ‘high’ or ‘low’ ratio can vary significantly depending on the industry in which the company operates.

The debt to equity ratio also plays a significant role in capital structuring, helping management to decide the appropriate mix of debt and equity. This decision affects the risk and value of the firm and subsequently impacts the cost of capital. Understanding this ratio is crucial for both internal and external stakeholders, including investors, creditors, and analysts, who use it to assess the company’s leverage position and risk level.

How to Calculate Debt to Equity Ratio

Calculating the Debt to Equity ratio (D/E) is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps:

Identify Total Debt The first step is to identify the total liabilities or debt of the company. This figure is usually found in the liabilities section of the company’s balance sheet. It includes both current liabilities (debts due within one year) and long-term liabilities (debts due after one year).
Identify Shareholder’s Equity The next step is to identify the total shareholder’s equity, which can also be found on the balance sheet. Shareholders’ equity, also known as net assets, is the difference between total assets and total liabilities. It represents the net value of the company that shareholders would receive if all the company’s assets were sold and all its debts were paid off.
Calculate the Ratio Once you have these two figures, you can calculate the D/E ratio using the following formula:
Debt to Equity Ratio = Total Debt / Shareholders’ Equity

This calculation will yield a number, often expressed as a percentage. For example, if a company has total liabilities of $500,000 and shareholders’ equity of $250,000, the D/E ratio would be 2 (or 200% when expressed as a percentage), which means that the company has twice as much debt as equity.

It’s important to note that different industries have different standards and norms for what constitutes a “healthy” D/E ratio. As such, this ratio is often most useful when comparing similar companies within the same industry.

Interpreting the Debt to Equity Ratio

The Debt to Equity Ratio (D/E) is a measure of a company’s financial leverage and shows the proportion of debt a company is using to finance its assets relative to the value of shareholders’ equity. Here’s how to interpret this ratio:

High Ratio A high D/E ratio, often greater than 2, indicates that a company has been aggressive in financing its growth with debt. This can result in volatile earnings due to the additional interest expense. If the company’s income falls, it still needs to meet its debt obligations, which can lead to financial distress and bankruptcy risk.
Low Ratio A low D/E ratio, typically less than 1, suggests that a company is using less leverage and has a proportionately higher equity base. These companies might be viewed as safer because they have a larger buffer before they become insolvent. However, they also may not be taking full advantage of the increased profits that financial leverage can bring.
Zero Ratio A D/E ratio of zero means that the company has no debt. While this might indicate financial stability, it also could suggest that the company is not taking advantage of the leverage available to increase profits.
Negative Ratio A negative D/E ratio means that the company has negative shareholders’ equity, which typically arises when accumulated losses over time have made the total equity negative. This is a significant red flag and might indicate that the company is in financial distress.

Please note that what is considered a “high” or “low” D/E ratio can vary widely depending on the industry. Some industries, like financial services, have naturally higher ratios, while others, like technology companies, may have naturally lower ones. Therefore, the D/E ratio is most useful when comparing companies within the same industry.

Advantages of Debt to Equity Ratio

The Debt to Equity Ratio (D/E) comes with several advantages for both investors and the company. Here’s why it is beneficial:

Investor Insight The D/E ratio provides investors with quick insight into the financial leverage a company uses. It can indicate how a company finances its operations and growth, and helps to assess the risk of the company defaulting on its debts.
Industry Comparison It enables investors to compare companies within the same industry. Because standards for debt levels may vary by industry, this ratio is most useful when comparing similar companies.
Financial Health Indicator A high D/E ratio may indicate that a company could be in danger of defaulting on its loans if interest rates were to rise or if its profitability were to decline, while a low ratio might suggest lower risk.
Return on Equity Companies with a high D/E ratio may also have a high Return on Equity (ROE), as they are using borrowed money to generate profits.
Ease of Calculation The D/E ratio is easy to calculate using information available on a company’s balance sheet, making it a convenient tool for investors.

It is important to note that while these advantages make the D/E ratio a useful tool, it should not be used in isolation. It should be part of a broader analysis that includes other financial ratios and metrics.

Limitations of Debt to Equity Ratio

While the Debt to Equity (D/E) Ratio is a valuable tool in financial analysis, it does come with several limitations. Here are the key limitations to consider:

Industry Variations The acceptability of a D/E ratio varies significantly across different industries. For instance, capital-intensive sectors like utilities and manufacturing might have a higher D/E ratio than technology or service industries. Comparing D/E ratios across industries can lead to misleading conclusions.
Ignoring Market Conditions D/E ratio does not account for current market conditions. The cost of debt can vary greatly depending on the state of the economy, and this is not reflected in the ratio.
Risk of Over-leverage While debt can help fuel growth, too much debt can be risky. A high D/E ratio could indicate a company is over-leveraged, and could face financial distress in a downturn or if interest rates rise.
Discrepancies in Accounting Methods The ratio can be affected by the accounting methods used. For example, operating leases were historically not included as liabilities but are now under recent accounting changes. This can impact the comparison of D/E ratios over time or across companies using different accounting standards.
Non-Financial Factors The D/E ratio does not account for non-financial factors that might impact a company’s ability to repay debt, such as its competitive position, the regulatory environment, or broad economic factors.

Because of these limitations, the D/E ratio should be used in conjunction with other financial ratios and metrics, and the specific industry context and company characteristics should always be taken into account.

Examples of Debt to Equity Ratio

Let’s examine the Debt to Equity Ratio through a couple of hypothetical examples:

Example 1: Company A

Company A has total liabilities of $500,000 and shareholder’s equity of $250,000.

To find the D/E ratio, we divide total liabilities by shareholder’s equity:

$500,000 / $250,000 = 2

This means that for every dollar of equity, Company A has two dollars of debt. This might be concerning for investors and creditors, as it indicates a high level of leverage and potential financial risk.

Example 2: Company B

Company B, on the other hand, has total liabilities of $200,000 and shareholder’s equity of $800,000.

Again, we divide total liabilities by shareholder’s equity:

$200,000 / $800,000 = 0.25

Company B’s D/E ratio is substantially lower than Company A’s. For every dollar of equity, Company B only has 25 cents of debt. This suggests that Company B has a lower level of financial risk and is less reliant on debt for financing its operations.

Remember, a ‘good’ D/E ratio can depend on the industry and the specific circumstances of the company. It is crucial to compare companies within the same industry and consider the nature of their business when interpreting this ratio.

Example 3: Company C
Suppose Company C has total liabilities of $1,000,000 and shareholder’s equity of $1,500,000.
The D/E ratio would be calculated as follows:
$1,000,000 / $1,500,000 = 0.67
This means that for every dollar of equity, Company C has 67 cents in debt. A ratio less than 1 indicates that the company has more equity than debt, which typically suggests financial stability.

Example 4: Company D

Let’s consider Company D, which has total liabilities of $3,000,000 and shareholder’s equity of $1,000,000.

Calculating the D/E ratio, we get:

$3,000,000 / $1,000,000 = 3

This result means that for every dollar of equity, Company D has three dollars in debt. A high D/E ratio can be a red flag for investors and creditors as it suggests a high degree of leverage and risk. However, it could also mean that the company is aggressively financing its growth with debt.

Again, remember that what is considered a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ D/E ratio can vary depending on the industry and economic conditions. Therefore, it’s essential to use this ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and analyses to make informed investment decisions.

FAQs

What is the debt-to-equity ratio?

The debt-to-equity ratio is a financial metric that measures the proportion of a company’s debt compared to its equity.

How is the debt-to-equity ratio calculated?

The debt-to-equity ratio is calculated by dividing a company’s total debt by its total equity.

What does a high debt-to-equity ratio indicate?

A high debt-to-equity ratio suggests that a company relies heavily on debt financing and may have higher financial risk.

What does a low debt-to-equity ratio indicate?

A low debt-to-equity ratio indicates that a company relies more on equity financing and may be considered less risky.

About Paul

Paul Boyce is an economics editor with over 10 years experience in the industry. Currently working as a consultant within the financial services sector, Paul is the CEO and chief editor of BoyceWire. He has written publications for FEE, the Mises Institute, and many others.