Equity gearing is a useful metric that helps investors and analysts understand a company's capital structure and its ability to generate profits. It is calculated by dividing total equity by total assets, and the resulting ratio indicates the proportion of equity financing in a company's capital structure.
A high equity gearing ratio suggests that a company relies more on equity financing than on debt financing. This means that the company has a lower risk of defaulting on its debt obligations, as it has a larger proportion of funds invested by shareholders rather than lenders. However, high equity gearing may also mean that the company has missed out on the potential tax benefits of taking on debt.
On the other hand, a low equity gearing ratio indicates that a company relies more on debt financing than on equity financing. This means that the company is more susceptible to economic downturns and may struggle to meet its debt obligations if profits fall. However, low equity gearing may also indicate that the company is taking advantage of the potential tax benefits of debt financing.
It is important to note that equity gearing is just one metric to consider when evaluating a company's financial health. Other important factors to consider include profitability, cash flow, and debt-to-equity ratio. Additionally, different industries may have different optimal levels of equity gearing. For example, companies in stable industries with reliable cash flows may have higher equity gearing ratios, while companies in more volatile industries may prefer to rely more on debt financing.
Full company financial data and account filings are available through FullCircl's Customer Lifecycle Intelligence platform, including Equity Gearing Ratios. Visit https://fullcircl.com to find out more.