Total Debt-to-Total Assets Ratio

Overview

The total debt-to-total assets ratio (also called the debt-to-assets ratio) is a leverage measure that shows what portion of a company’s assets is financed with debt. It helps investors and creditors assess financial risk and a firm’s reliance on borrowed funds versus owner (equity) financing.

Formula

TD/TA = (Short‑Term Debt + Long‑Term Debt) / Total Assets

  • Total debt generally includes all interest‑bearing obligations (short‑term and long‑term).
  • Total assets includes all balance‑sheet assets, both tangible and intangible.
  • The ratio is often expressed as a decimal (0.40) or a percentage (40%).

A value below 1.0 is typical. A ratio greater than 1.0 indicates liabilities exceed assets and suggests technical insolvency.

How to interpret it

  • The ratio indicates degree of leverage:
  • Lower ratio → more assets financed by equity; typically more financial flexibility.
  • Higher ratio → more assets financed by debt; higher fixed obligations and greater risk in downturns.
  • Example interpretation: a ratio of 0.40 means 40% of assets are financed with debt and 60% with equity.
  • Creditors use it to decide whether to extend or price new loans; investors use it to evaluate risk relative to return expectations.

Practical example (illustrative)

  • Company ABC: TD/TA ≈ 0.30 — comparatively low leverage; greater flexibility to borrow or absorb shocks.
  • Company DEF: TD/TA ≈ 0.50 — roughly equal financing from debt and equity; moderate risk.
  • Company XYZ: TD/TA ≈ 0.90 — high leverage; most assets are financed by debt and the company has limited flexibility.

Context matters: company size, industry norms and business lifecycle (startup vs. established firm) affect what level of debt is appropriate.

What it can (and cannot) tell you

What it can tell you:
- Degree of leverage and reliance on debt financing.
- Trend in leverage when tracked over time (increasing or decreasing risk).

What it cannot tell you:
- Quality, liquidity or composition of assets (e.g., large intangible assets may not be easily converted to cash).
- Timing and terms of debt (interest rates, covenants, maturities).
- Whether the company can service its debt — pair with interest coverage and liquidity ratios for that view.

Limitations and caveats

  • Lumps all assets together — hides liquidity and recoverability differences.
  • May understate risk when a company’s assets are largely illiquid or impaired.
  • Industry averages vary widely; a “high” ratio in one sector may be normal in another (e.g., utilities vs. tech startups).
  • Should always be evaluated alongside other ratios (debt‑to‑equity, current ratio, interest coverage) and compared to peers and historical trends.

What’s a “good” ratio?

There is no universal cutoff. A commonly cited comfortable range is roughly 0.30–0.60, but acceptability depends on:
- Industry norms
- Company size and business model
- Access to capital markets and earnings stability

How to use it effectively

  • Compare to industry peers and sector averages.
  • Track changes over multiple periods to detect rising or falling leverage.
  • Combine with liquidity and coverage ratios to evaluate debt service capacity and short‑term risk.
  • Review debt maturity schedule and asset composition for a fuller risk picture.

Key takeaways

  • TD/TA = (Total Debt) / (Total Assets); measures the share of assets financed with debt.
  • Higher ratios mean greater leverage and potentially higher financial risk.
  • Interpret the ratio in context: industry norms, asset quality, debt terms, and trends over time matter.
  • Use alongside other financial ratios to assess overall solvency and debt‑servicing ability.