debt to equity ratio


Debt/Equity Ratio

In risk analysis, a way to determine a company's leverage. The ratio is calculated by taking the company's long-term debt and dividing it by the value of its common stock. Put graphically:

Debt/equity ratio = Long-term debt / Common stock

The greater a company's leverage, the higher the ratio. Generally, companies with higher ratios are thought to be more risky because they have more liabilities and less equity. See also: Long-Term Debt/Capitalization Ratio.

debt to equity ratio

See debt/equity ratio.