Debt to Equity Ratio Formula

Financial Statement Analysis

Debt to Equity Ratio Formula (Table of Contents)

Formula of Debt to Equity Ratio
Debt to Equity Ratio Calculator
Template

Debt to equity is a formula that is viewed as a long term solvency ratio. It is a comparison between the “external finance” and the “internal finance”.

Let’s have a look at the formula of debt to equity ratio –

In the numerator, we will take “total liabilities” of the firm; and in the denominator, we will consider shareholders’ equity. As shareholders’ equity also includes “preferred stock”, we will also consider that.

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Example of Debt to Equity Ratio Formula

Let’s take a simple example to illustrate debt equity ratio formula.

Youth Company has the following information –

Current Liabilities – $49,000
Non-current Liabilities – $111,000
Common Stocks – 20,000 shares of $25 each
Preferred Stocks – $140,000

Find out the debt equity ratio of Youth Company.

In this example, we have all the information. All we need to do is to find out the total liabilities and the total shareholders’ equity.

Total liabilities = (Current liabilities + Non-current liabilities) = ($49,000 + $111,000) = $160,000.
Total shareholders’ equity = (Common stocks + Preferred stocks) = [(20,000 * $25) + $140,000] = [$500,000 + $140,000] = $640,000.

The debt equity ratio formula is –

Debt equity ratio formula = Total liabilities / Total shareholders’ equity = $160,000 / $640,000 = ¼ = 0.25.
So the debt to equity of Youth Company is 0.25.

In normal situation, a ratio of 2:1 is considered healthy. From generic perspective, Youth Company could use a little more external financing and it will also help them in accessing the benefits of financial leverage.

Explanation of Debt to Equity Ratio Formula

By using debt to equity ratio formula the investors get to know how a firm is doing in capital structure; and also how solvent the firm is, as a whole. When an investor decides to invest into a company, she needs to know the approach of a company.

If the total liabilities of the company are higher compared to the shareholders’ equity, the investor would think whether to invest in the company or not; because having too much debt is too risky for a firm in the long run.

If the total liabilities of the company are too low compared to the shareholders’ equity, the investor would also think twice about investing in the company; because then, the company’s capital structure is not conducive enough to achieve financial leverage. However, if the company balances both internal and external finance, then maybe the investor would feel that the company is ideal for investment.

Pepsi Debt to Equity was at around 0.50x in 2009-1010. however, it started rising rapidly and is at 2.792x currently. Looks like an over leveraged situation.

Use of Debt to Equity Ratio Formula

Formula of Debt to equity is the very common ratio in terms of solvency.

If an investor wants to know the solvency of a company, debt to equity would be the first ratio to cross her mind.

By using debt to equity, the investor not only understands the immediate stance of the company; but also can understand the long-term future of the company.

For example, if a company is using too less of external finance; through debt to equity, the investor would be able to understand that the company is trying to become whole-equity firm. And as a result, the firm wouldn’t be able to use the financial leverage in the long run.

Formula of Debt to Equity Ratio Calculator

You can use the following formula of Debt to Equity Ratio Calculator

Total Liabilities
Shareholders' Equity
Debt to Equity Ratio Formula =

Debt to Equity Ratio Formula =

Total Liabilities
	=
Shareholders' Equity

0
	=	0
0

Debt Equity Ratio in Excel (with excel template)

Let us now do the same example above in Excel.

This is very simple. You need to provide the two inputs of total liabilities and the total shareholders’ equity.

You can easily calculate the ratio in the template provided.

Here, First We will find out the Total Liabilities and shareholders’ Equity

Now We will calculate the Debt Equity Ratio using the formula of debt to equity ratio

You can download this formula of debt to equity ratio template here – Debt to Equity Ratio Excel Template

Debt to Equity Ratio Formula