What is Financial Leverage?
The use of fixed-charges sources of funds, such as debt and preference capital along with owner’s equity in the capital structure described as financial leverage gearing or trading on equity. The use of the term trading on equity is derived from the fact that is the owner’s equity that is used to raise debt; that is, the equity that is traded upon. Financial leverage is defined as the ability of a firm to use fixed financial charges to magnify the effect of change in E.B.I.T on the firm’s earning per share. The financial leverage occurs when a firm’s Capital Structure contain obligation of fixed financial charges. For instance, interest on debentures, dividend on preference share etc., along with owner’s equity to enhance earning of equity shareholder’s. The fixed financial charges do not vary with the operating profit. They are fixed and are to be paid irrespective of level of operating Continue reading