Solvency Ratio: Definition, Importance, Formula, Types, Calculation Example, Limitations

A solvency ratio is used by investors and analysts to evaluate a company’s ability to meet its long-term debt and financial obligations. The solvency ratio indicates whether a company is financially stable enough to continue operating for the foreseeable future. There are various types of solvency ratios that provide different perspectives on a company’s leverage, including the debt-to-equity ratio, interest coverage ratio, and debt-to-assets ratio. The debt-to-equity ratio compares a firm’s total debt to shareholder equity to show how much is financed through borrowing. 

The interest coverage ratio measures the ability to pay interest expenses from earnings. The debt-to-assets ratio indicates the percentage of assets financed through debt. Analyzing trends in solvency ratios over time can reveal improving or worsening financial strength. It is important for investors to examine solvency alongside other financial metrics for a comprehensive view of a potential investment. This article will discuss the key solvency ratio definitions and formulas, their importance for the assessment of investment risk, and examples to demonstrate solvency ratio calculations for companies.

What is a solvency ratio?

A solvency ratio is a key metric used to measure a company’s ability to meet its long-term financial obligations. In the stock market, solvency ratios like the debt-to-equity ratio are important indicators of a company’s financial health and stability. The debt-to-equity ratio specifically measures a company’s total liabilities in relation to its shareholder equity. This ratio shows the extent to which a company is financing its operations through debt versus wholly-owned funds. A higher debt-to-equity ratio generally indicates higher risk, as it shows the company is more highly leveraged.

For stock market investors, a high debt-to-equity ratio sometimes raises concerns about a company’s ability to pay off its debts and weather downturns in the market. On the other hand, a low debt-to-equity ratio is seen as a sign of financial stability and lower risk. Investors frequently examine debt-to-equity ratios of firms in the same industry when assessing investments in order to determine which have stronger solvency positions. A company’s ability to meet its long-term obligations through manageable leverage is a key factor influencing its long-term viability and performance in the stock market.

Why is it important to know the solvency ratio?

The solvency ratio is important to know as it measures a company’s ability to meet its long-term obligations and gives insight into its financial health and viability in the long run. The solvency ratio indicates whether a company is capable of meeting its long-term debts and financial obligations. For stock market investors, assessing solvency is critical to determine if a company is a sound investment opportunity or a financial risk. 

For stock investors, knowing the solvency position is crucial while picking stocks to invest in. Companies with very high or worsening solvency ratios are riskier bets compared to firms with low and stable ratios. Overleveraged enterprises with large liabilities and little assets find it difficult to remain solvent during economic downturns. Their stock prices take a bigger hit compared to financially stable firms.

In today’s environment, solvency analysis helps assess which sectors or individual companies have stronger staying power amidst rising interest rates, high inflation, and fears of an economic slowdown. Sectors like airlines, automobiles, and consumer discretionary that have high debt burdens look riskier. Companies in these sectors with weak solvency ratios could see their stocks struggle.

What is the formula of the solvency ratio?

The formula for solvency ratios is below. 

Formula: Solvency Ratio = (Net Income + Depreciation) / Total Liabilities

Net income represents the company’s annual profit after taxes. Depreciation is added back to net income since it is a non-cash expense that reduces earnings but does not impact cash flows. Total liabilities include both current and long-term liabilities on the balance sheet. This includes any loans, bonds, accounts payable, deferred taxes, and other obligations.

A higher solvency ratio indicates the company is better positioned to service its total debt costs and meet obligations from annual earnings. It means the company is generating sufficient net income relative to its total liabilities. A declining trend indicates increasing financial risks and a weaker ability to cover debt servicing. An improving trend suggests the balance sheet is becoming less leveraged.

What are the types of solvency ratios available?

The most common solvency ratios used to assess a company’s financial health and debt obligations include the debt ratio, interest coverage ratio, debt-to-asset ratio, debt-to-capital ratio, equity ratio, debt-to-equity ratio, financial leverage ratio, solvency ratio, fixed-charge coverage ratio.

1.Debt ratio

The debt ratio measures the extent of a company’s leverage relative to its total assets.

Debt Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Assets 

Total liabilities include both current and long-term debt obligations. Total assets equals all assets on the balance sheet, including cash, investments, property, inventory, and intangibles.

For example, suppose a company has Rs.2 million in total liabilities and Rs.5 million in total assets; its debt ratio is 0.4 or 40% (Rs.2 million / Rs.5 million).

A higher debt ratio indicates the company is more highly leveraged with a riskier capital structure. Investors typically prefer lower debt ratios for stability. Comparing the ratio to industry averages provides context on appropriate leverage levels for the business model. Monitoring debt ratios over time highlights improving or worsening solvency.

2. Interest coverage ratio

The interest coverage ratio measures how easily a company pays interest expenses on outstanding debt.

Interest Coverage Ratio = Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) / Interest Expense

For example, suppose a company has an EBIT of Rs.20 million and interest expense of Rs.5 million; its interest coverage ratio is 4 times (Rs.20 million / Rs.5 million). 

A higher interest coverage ratio indicates the company has a greater ability to service debt costs from operating income. A declining trend over time could signal credit risks if earnings compress but interest obligations remain high. Comparing peers shows relative debt service capacity within the industry.

3. Debt to asset ratio

The debt-to-asset ratio measures the percentage of total assets financed through debt rather than equity.

Debt to Asset Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Assets

For example, suppose a company has Rs.100 million in total liabilities and Rs.500 million in assets; its debt-to-asset ratio is 20% (Rs.100 million / Rs.500 million).

A higher ratio indicates greater financial leverage since more assets are funded through debt. Investors prefer lower ratios for stability. Comparing industry averages provides context, as capital-intensive sectors tend to operate with higher debt-to-asset ratios. Monitoring trends over time highlights improving or worsening leverage and solvency. A rising ratio indicates increased default risks.

4. Debt-to-capital ratio

The debt-to-capital ratio measures a company’s financial leverage by comparing total debt to total capital. 

Debt-to-Capital Ratio = Total Debt / (Total Debt + Shareholders’ Equity)

For example, suppose a company has Rs.400 million in total debt and Rs.600 million in shareholders’ equity; its debt-to-capital ratio is 40% (Rs.400 million / Rs.1 billion total capital).

A higher ratio indicates greater financial leverage and risk, as more capital comes from debt versus equity funding. Investors typically prefer lower ratios for stability. Monitoring trends helps identify improving or worsening leverage. Comparing industry averages provides context on appropriate capital structures for the business model.

5. Equity ratio

The equity ratio measures the portion of assets funded through shareholders’ equity rather than debt financing. 

Equity Ratio = Shareholders’ Equity / Total Assets

For example, suppose a company has Rs.500 million in shareholders’ equity and Rs.1 billion in total assets; its equity ratio is 50% (Rs.500 million / Rs.1 billion).

A higher equity ratio indicates less financial leverage since assets are mostly funded through equity rather than debt. Investors typically prefer higher equity ratios for stability. Monitoring trends helps identify improving or worsening leverage. Comparing industry averages provides context on appropriate capital structures for the business model.

6. Debt to equity ratio

The debt-to-equity ratio compares a company’s total debt to shareholders’ equity. 

Debt to Equity Ratio = Total Liabilities / Shareholders’ Equity

For example, suppose a company has Rs.400 million in total liabilities and Rs.600 million in shareholders’ equity; its debt-to-equity ratio is 0.67 (Rs.400 million / Rs.600 million).

A higher ratio indicates greater financial leverage since more capital comes from debt versus equity funding. Investors typically prefer lower debt-to-equity ratios for stability. Monitoring trends helps identify improving or worsening leverage. Comparing industry averages provides context on appropriate capital structures for the business model.

7. Financial leverage

Financial leverage measures the degree to which a company uses debt financing rather than equity. 

Financial Leverage = Total Assets / Shareholders’ Equity

For example, suppose a company has Rs.2 billion in total assets and Rs.1 billion in shareholders’ equity; its financial leverage is 2x (Rs.2 billion / Rs.1 billion).

A higher financial leverage indicates greater reliance on debt funding versus equity. While leverage amplifies returns in good times, it also increases risks should profitability decline. Investors examine trends in leverage to gauge changes in the capital structure risk profile. Comparing leverage across peers shows relative debt usage within the industry.

8. Solvency ratio

The solvency ratio measures a company’s ability to meet its total debt and interest obligations from earnings. 

Solvency Ratio = (Net Income + Depreciation) / Total Liabilities

For example, suppose a company has Rs.100 million in net income, Rs.20 million in depreciation, and Rs.300 million in total liabilities; its solvency ratio is 0.4x (Rs.120 million / Rs.300 million).

A higher solvency ratio indicates greater capacity to service debt costs from operating income. Trend analysis shows improving or worsening coverage of liabilities over time. Comparing to industry averages provides context on appropriate leverage levels based on business models and capital intensity.

9. Fixed-charge coverage ratio

The fixed-charge coverage ratio measures a company’s ability to cover fixed expenses like debt payments, interest, and leases. 

Fixed-Charge Coverage Ratio = Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortisation (EBITDA) / Total Fixed Charges

For example, suppose a company has an EBITDA of Rs.250 million and Rs.100 million in annual fixed charges; its fixed-charge coverage ratio is 2.5x (Rs.250 million / Rs.100 million).

A higher ratio provides confidence the company readily serves fixed obligations. Trend analysis shows improving or worsening coverage over time. Comparing industry averages offers context on appropriate fixed cost leverage for the business model.

What is an example of solvency ratio calculation?

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) remains a powerhouse in the Indian economy, with its diverse interests spanning energy, petrochemicals, retail, and telecommunications. Understanding its financial health through key solvency ratios is crucial for investors and analysts. Let’s dive into the latest data for a comprehensive picture:

The Interest Coverage Ratio for FY 2023-24 is 31.52x. This is calculated using the EBIT for FY 2023-24 of Rs. 130,987 crore and the interest expense of Rs. 4,154 crore for the same period. The ratio remains high, indicating RIL’s strong ability to service its debt obligations from operating profits.

The Debt-to-Asset Ratio for FY 2023-24 is 0.15. This is calculated using the total debt of Rs. 265,304 crore and total assets of Rs. 1,780,216 crore as of March 2024. The ratio remains low, suggesting limited use of debt in financing RIL’s assets.

The Equity Ratio for FY 2023-24 is 0.69. This is calculated using the shareholder equity of Rs. 1,232,912 crore and total assets of Rs. 1,780,216 crore. The high ratio demonstrates RIL’s continued preference for funding operations through internal resources over external borrowings.

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio for FY 2023-24 is 0.22. This is calculated using the total debt of Rs. 265,304 crore and shareholder equity of Rs. 1,232,912 crore. The low ratio reinforces RIL’s financial stability through a focus on equity financing over debt.

What is meant by a high solvency ratio?

A high solvency ratio signals that a company is financially stable and has enough liquid assets to pay off its short-term and long-term debts. It has a strong balance sheet with minimal financial leverage. This gives investors confidence that the company will be able to survive difficult economic conditions and continue generating revenues and returns.

A high solvency ratio suggests the company is not overloaded with debt compared to its assets. It has a healthy mix of financing through equity rather than excessive reliance on debt or leverage. This indicates prudent financial management by the company. Too much debt becomes unmanageable during downturns, leading to default or bankruptcy.

A high solvency ratio also indicates efficiency in managing working capital. The company is able to convert its assets into cash to pay off liabilities and other current obligations. It does not face a liquidity crunch that could impact day-to-day operations or force it to take on expensive financing to fund expenses.

A high solvency ratio is a positive sign that the company’s operations and finances are being managed well. The company has enough of a capital cushion to withstand industry or macroeconomic shocks. It is less likely to face a credit downgrade or financial distress in the face of volatility.

What is meant by a low solvency ratio?

A low solvency ratio suggests the company is heavily burdened with debt compared to its assets and equity base. It is financially overleveraged, implying poor financial management and a lack of fiscal discipline. The high debt load makes the company vulnerable to economic downturns and industry disruptions. With a low solvency ratio, a significant portion of the company’s operating income and cash flows are consumed in servicing debt and other fixed obligations. This leaves little buffer to withstand revenue declines or unforeseen expenses. The risk of default rises substantially.

A low ratio also indicates the company faces difficulties in generating cash from assets to meet short-term liabilities. There is a liquidity crunch leading to dependence on external financing, even for day-to-day working capital needs. A low solvency ratio is a troubling sign of financial instability and constraints on earnings growth. The excessive debt burden limits the company’s ability to pursue growth initiatives and acquire assets. The weakened financial standing also hinders access to additional loans or equity financing on favorable terms.

A low solvency ratio heightens the risk of credit downgrades, which further restricts financing options and increases borrowing costs. This creates a vicious cycle of rising debt costs and falling profitability for the company. With a low solvency ratio, the company has very little room to safely take on additional debt. High existing leverage combined with incremental borrowing could push the finances to a breaking point. The risk of bankruptcy shoots up, which leads to massive erosion of shareholder value.

What are short-term solvency ratios?

Common short-term solvency ratios include the current ratio, quick ratio, and cash ratio. The current ratio measures a company’s current assets against its current liabilities. The quick ratio is more conservative, measuring only cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and marketable securities against current liabilities. Finally, the cash ratio focuses solely on cash and cash equivalents. A higher ratio indicates greater liquidity and a better ability to cover short-term obligations. Tracking short-term solvency ratios over time and benchmarking against industry averages provides insight into a company’s financial health and alerts managers to potential liquidity issues before they become more serious problems. Maintaining adequate liquidity is vital for any company.

What are the limitations of the solvency ratio?

The main limitation is that solvency ratios have a narrow focus on debt obligations and do not provide a complete picture of a company’s financial condition. They ignore other vital aspects like the company’s profitability, operational efficiency, and management capability. For stock investors, it is crucial to analyze other financial ratios related to margins, asset turnover, cash flows, etc., along with solvency to make informed decisions. Examining liquidity and leverage in isolation leads to the incorrect judgment of a company’s financial stability.

Solvency ratios rely on book values of assets and liabilities reported on the balance sheet. However, book values will not accurately represent the market values or the actual worth of assets if they have to be sold off. Intangible assets like brand value, patents, goodwill, etc., get undervalued on company financial statements. It would likely get a very different value than their book values if a company has to liquidate assets to pay off debts. This disparity between market and book value limits the usefulness of solvency ratios for stock investors.

The calculation of solvency ratios is affected by the accounting rules and policies followed by a company. For example, lease accounting changes how rentals and lease obligations are treated. Inventory valuation methods impact the cost of goods sold and inventory amounts. Revenue recognition and depreciation policies also influence income statements and balance sheet numbers used in solvency ratios. Due to differing accounting policies, solvency ratios do not present an apples-to-apples comparison between companies for stock analysis.

Solvency ratios provide a snapshot of a company’s financial position at a point in time. However, a company’s debt obligations and finances are dynamic in nature. Solvency ratios fail to factor in future capital expenditures, fluctuations in sales volumes, changes in credit terms, seasonality patterns, and other such events that alter solvency. Stock investors should analyze trends in solvency over time rather than rely on ratios for a single period.

Modern corporate finance strategies use complex tools like convertible debts, warrants, derivatives, interest rate swaps, etc. These instruments do not get captured accurately in simple debt-equity ratios used for solvency analysis. Companies alter their capital structure quickly using such tools without actually impacting their financial viability. Solvency ratios oversimplify a company’s true capital position for stock investors.

Commitments like operating leases, pension plans, legal disputes, etc., represent future obligations for a company but remain off-balance sheet. Solvency analysis overlooks these hidden obligations since they are not reflected in debt amounts on the company’s financial statements. Stock investors should note provisions and contingent liabilities footnotes to identify risks not captured in standard solvency ratios.

What is the difference between solvency & debt?

Solvency refers to a company’s ability to meet its long-term financial obligations, whereas debt is the amount of money a company owes, so on the stock market, investors consider a company’s solvency as an indicator of its financial health while examining the level and types of debt to assess the company’s capital structure and ability to pay off obligations. Solvency indicates whether a company has sufficient assets and cash flows to satisfy its debts and other liabilities as they come due. It reflects a surplus of assets over total liabilities, suggesting resources are available to cover ongoing expenses and debts. Debt simply quantifies the amount of borrowed money a company must repay over various time horizons.

Solvency also considers both short and long-term obligations. It encompasses a company’s capacity to handle current liabilities as well as longer-term financial commitments. Debt is generally broken down into short-term borrowings like bank loans and long-term instruments like bonds, notes payable, and capital leases. However, the debt concept itself does not distinguish between near-term and distant horizons. Another key difference is that solvency is primarily measured using ratio analysis, such as the debt-to-equity and interest coverage ratios. Debt is quantified in absolute dollar amounts, although debt ratios like debt-to-assets are also useful. The ratios used to assess solvency compare different aspects of a company’s finances, like earnings, equity, assets, and liabilities. Debt amounts focus narrowly on the borrowed money owed.

Importantly, solvency reflects the relationship between assets & liabilities, while debt only examines liabilities in isolation. A highly solvent company sometimes uses debt prudently and remains financially healthy if assets keep growing. However, excessive debt is always risky since it must be repaid from asset earnings. Solvency weighs assets against obligations, capturing this balance in a way debt amounts alone cannot. In evaluating investment quality, solvency offers a big picture, holistic view of financial strength not provided by debt data. A company sometimes will boast modest debt levels but still have issues meeting obligations if assets are underperforming. Conversely, solvency ratios look solid despite sizable debt, indicating the company uses borrowed funds productively.

What is the difference between solvency & liquidity ratio?

Solvency ratios measure a company’s ability to meet its long-term financial obligations, whereas liquidity ratios assess a company’s capacity to pay off short-term liabilities; stock market analysts examine both solvency and liquidity ratios to evaluate a company’s financial health and stability. The solvency ratio specifically focuses on a company’s ability to meet its long-term financial obligations and debt. The most common solvency ratio is the debt-to-equity ratio, which measures how much debt a company has relative to the value of its shareholders’ equity.

A high debt-to-equity ratio signals high financial leverage and risk, as the company is funding more of its operations through debt rather than equity. For stock investors, a high debt-to-equity ratio is sometimes a red flag, as it leaves the company more vulnerable to economic downturns and rising interest rates. Other solvency ratios, like the interest coverage ratio, take into account a company’s ability to pay interest expenses on its debt obligations. Overall, solvency ratios help ascertain if a company will remain viable and in business over the long run. On the other hand, liquidity ratios focus on a company’s ability to meet its short-term financial obligations and liabilities.

The two most common liquidity ratios are the current ratio and the quick ratio. The current ratio measures a company’s current assets against its current liabilities, while the quick ratio is more conservative, only taking into account quick assets like cash that swiftly cover liabilities. A higher liquidity ratio indicates a company has ample liquid assets to handle its upcoming operational expenses, debt payments, and other short-term costs as they come due. For stock investors, high liquidity provides reassurance that the company has the cash flow and reserves to continue functioning smoothly in the near future. Other liquidity ratios take a more fine-grained look at the cash flow available.

Solvency focuses on the long-term view of a company’s financial health, while liquidity focuses on the short-term. Both offer important insights for stock investors seeking a fuller picture of a potential investment’s strengths and weaknesses. A company needs to demonstrate both solid solvency and liquidity to represent a strong, stable investment. A corporation sometimes experiences solvency problems in the future even though its liquidity looks good at the time if it has a large debt burden and low equity value. On the flip side, a company with low liquidity could encounter cash flow problems in the coming months, even if its long-term solvency looks satisfactory. 

Is solvency ratio necessary for financial ratio analysis?

Yes, the solvency ratio, a key financial ratio, plays a vital role in measuring a company’s ability to meet its long-term obligations, providing crucial insight for financial analysis to evaluate a stock’s viability. While other financial ratios also contribute to a holistic assessment, solvency ratios such as debt-to-equity and interest coverage specifically assess a company’s ability to fulfill its debt and long-term financial obligations. Companies with poor solvency ratios, indicating a high degree of leverage, carry a greater risk of bankruptcy and financial distress.

Their stocks often underperform compared to the broader markets. In contrast, companies with strong solvency ratios, which are an essential financial ratio, demonstrate financial resilience and the capacity to withstand industry downturns. Their stocks are generally perceived as stable investments by investors. Thus, analyzing solvency ratios is a critical step for investors to determine the long-term financial viability of a company before investing in its stocks. Prudent investors always supplement other ratios like profitability and efficiency with solvency ratios to gain a complete picture of a company’s financial health and choose stocks that align with their risk appetite.

How does the solvency ratio help in fundamental analysis?

Solvency ratios help in fundamental analysis by providing insights into a company’s ability to meet its long-term obligations. The key solvency ratios used are the debt-to-equity ratio, interest coverage ratio, and debt service coverage ratio. The debt-to-equity ratio measures how much debt a company uses to finance its assets relative to the value of shareholders’ equity. A high debt-to-equity ratio indicates higher financial risk. The interest coverage ratio shows how easily a company pays interest expenses on its debt.

The debt service coverage ratio, an integral part of fundamental analysis, measures a company’s ability to repay principal and interest on its debt. A lower ratio suggests the company has trouble servicing its debt obligations, which is a critical aspect for fundamental analysis. A higher ratio, on the other hand, indicates a greater ability to service debt. By analyzing solvency ratios over time and comparing them to industry averages, investors engaged in fundamental analysis can assess the long-term financial health and viability of a company. Unfavorable solvency ratios, as revealed through fundamental analysis, could indicate future financial distress and increased bankruptcy risk, making the stock less attractive for fundamental investors with a long-term horizon.

Arjun Remesh

Head of Content

Arjun is a seasoned stock market content expert with over 7 years of experience in stock market, technical & fundamental analysis. Since 2020, he has been a key contributor to Strike platform. Arjun is an active stock market investor with his in-depth stock market analysis knowledge. Arjun is also an certified stock market researcher from Indiacharts, mentored by Rohit Srivastava.

Shivam Gaba

Reviewer of Content

Shivam is a stock market content expert with CFTe certification. He is been trading from last 8 years in indian stock market. He has a vast knowledge in technical analysis, financial market education, product management, risk assessment, derivatives trading & market Research. He won Zerodha 60-Day Challenge thrice in a row. He is being mentored by Rohit Srivastava, Indiacharts.