The two basic components of debt to equity ratio are outsiders funds i.e. external equities and share holders funds, i.e., internal equities. The outsiders funds include all debts / liabilities to outsiders, whether long term or short term or whether in the form of debentures, bonds, mortgages or bills. The shareholders funds consist of equity share capital, preference share capital, capital reserves, revenue reserves, and reserves representing accumulated profits and surpluses like reserves for contingencies, sinking funds, etc. The accumulated losses and deferred expenses, if any, should be deducted from the total to find out shareholder's funds
Some writers are of the view that current liabilities do not reflect long term commitments and they should be excluded from outsider's funds. There are some other writers who suggest that current liabilities should also be included in the outsider's funds to calculate debt equity ratio for the reason that like long term borrowings, current liabilities also represents firm's obligations to outsiders and they are an important determinant of risk. However, we advise that to calculate debt equity ratio current liabilities should be included in outsider's funds. The ratio calculated on the basis outsider's funds excluding liabilities may be termed as ratio of long-term debt to share holders funds.
Example:
From the following figures calculate debt to equity ratio:
Equity share capital Capital reserve Profit and loss account 6% debentures Sundry creditors Bills payable Provision for taxation Outstanding creditors 1,100,000 500,000 200,000 500,000 240,000 120,000 180,000 160,000
Required: Calculate debt to equity ratio.
Calculation:
External Equities / Internal Equities
= 1,200,000 / 18,000,000
= 0.66 or 4 : 6
It means that for every four dollars worth of the creditors investment the shareholders have invested six dollars. That is external debts are equal to 0.66% of shareholders funds.
Significance of Debt to Equity Ratio:
Debt to equity ratio indicates the proportionate claims of owners and the outsiders against the firms assets. The purpose is to get an idea of the cushion available to outsiders on the liquidation of the firm. However, the interpretation of the ratio depends upon the financial and business policy of the company. The owners want to do the business with maximum of outsider's funds in order to take lesser risk of their investment and to increase their earnings (per share) by paying a lower fixed rate of interest to outsiders. The outsiders creditors) on the other hand, want that shareholders (owners) should invest and risk their share of proportionate investments. A ratio of 1:1 is usually considered to be satisfactory ratio although there cannot be rule of thumb or standard norm for all types of businesses. Theoretically if the owners interests are greater than that of creditors, the financial position is highly solvent. In analysis of the long-term financial position it enjoys the same importance as the current ratio in the analysis of the short-term financial position.
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