Leverage

Definition

Leverage refers to the use of borrowed funds to amplify potential returns on investment. It plays a crucial role in finance as it allows companies to increase their investment capacity and potentially enhance profitability, but it also raises the risk of losses when investments do not perform as expected.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Leverage can be beneficial in increasing returns on equity when investments perform well, as it allows firms to invest more capital than they actually have.
2. However, high levels of leverage also mean higher financial risk, as companies must meet debt obligations regardless of their profitability.
3. In terms of weighted average cost of capital (WACC), leverage can affect the overall cost of financing as the cost of debt is typically lower than the cost of equity.
4. Using leverage in investments can lead to higher volatility; small changes in asset value can lead to larger percentage changes in returns or losses.
5. In derivative markets, leverage enables traders to control larger positions with a smaller amount of capital, which can magnify both profits and losses.

Review Questions

• How does leverage impact a company's weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and overall risk profile?
  • Leverage affects a company's WACC because it introduces debt into the capital structure, which usually has a lower cost compared to equity. By increasing the proportion of debt financing, a company can reduce its overall cost of capital, making projects more attractive. However, this increased reliance on debt also raises the company's financial risk, as it must ensure that it can meet interest payments regardless of operational performance.
• Discuss the relationship between leverage and marginal cost of capital in decision-making for new projects.
  • Leverage plays a significant role in determining a firm's marginal cost of capital when evaluating new projects. As a company takes on more debt to finance investments, it may lower its marginal cost due to the cheaper nature of debt relative to equity. However, if leverage becomes excessive, the marginal cost could increase as lenders may require higher interest rates due to increased perceived risk, impacting decisions about whether to pursue further investments.
• Evaluate the implications of using leverage in options trading strategies and how it might influence an investor's decision-making process.
  • In options trading, leverage allows investors to control larger positions with a relatively small amount of capital. This means that potential profits can be significant if the market moves favorably. However, it also means that losses can be magnified, leading to substantial financial risk. Investors need to consider their risk tolerance and market conditions carefully when employing leverage in their strategies, as the potential for both reward and risk increases significantly.

Related terms

Debt-to-Equity Ratio: A financial ratio that indicates the relative proportion of shareholders' equity and debt used to finance a company's assets.

Financial Risk: The possibility of losing money on an investment due to the use of debt or leverage, which can increase volatility and financial instability.

Operating Leverage:

A measure of how a company's fixed costs influence its earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), indicating how sensitive operating income is to changes in sales volume.