Debt to equity ratio by industry (2024)

The debt to equity ratio is a financial metric that is commonly used by investors and analysts to evaluate a company's financial health. It measures the amount of debt a company has compared to its equity, or the amount of ownership the company's shareholders have in the company.

The debt to equity ratio is useful for investors because it provides insight into a company's financial health and risk profile.

The debt to equity ratio can vary widely across different industries, and understanding the average debt to equity ratio by industry is crucial for making informed investment decisions.

Average Debt to Equity Ratio by Industry

The average debt to equity ratio varies significantly across different industries. For example, capital-intensive industries such as utilities and telecommunications tend to have higher debt to equity ratios, while technology and healthcare companies typically have lower ratios. A table or chart displaying the average debt to equity ratio by industry can provide valuable insights into industry trends and benchmarks.

Here is a table showing average debt to equity ratios by industry in the US as of Apr 2024:

Industry Average debt to equity ratio Number of companies
Advertising Agencies 0.82 22
Aerospace & Defense 0.43 49
Agricultural Inputs 0.51 11
Airlines 1.48 13
Apparel Manufacturing 1.1 17
Apparel Retail 0.95 28
Asset Management 0.96 72
Auto Manufacturers 0.73 15
Auto Parts 0.56 46
Auto & Truck Dealerships 2.15 14
Banks - Diversified 1.32 6
Banks - Regional 0.73 276
Beverages - Non-Alcoholic 0.75 9
Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries 1.08 9
Biotechnology 0.18 504
Broadcasting 1.67 16
Building Materials 0.64 7
Building Products & Equipment 0.74 29
Business Equipment & Supplies 0.93 7
Capital Markets 0.54 33
Chemicals 0.78 17
co*king Coal 0.34 4
Communication Equipment 0.42 51
Computer Hardware 0.3 29
Conglomerates 0.69 12
Consulting Services 0.47 16
Consumer Electronics 0.4 12
Credit Services 1.09 44
Diagnostics & Research 0.39 67
Discount Stores 1.16 9
Drug Manufacturers - General 0.8 12
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic 0.57 48
Education & Training Services 0.43 16
Electrical Equipment & Parts 0.43 42
Electronic Components 0.31 30
Electronic Gaming & Multimedia 0.22 7
Electronics & Computer Distribution 0.39 6
Engineering & Construction 0.76 30
Entertainment 0.62 37
Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery 0.61 22
Farm Products 0.51 18
Financial Data & Stock Exchanges 0.85 10
Food Distribution 1.28 9
Footwear & Accessories 0.94 11
Furnishings, Fixtures & Appliances 0.72 19
Gambling 1.86 11
Gold 0.17 27
Grocery Stores 1.11 10
Healthcare Plans 0.57 12
Health Information Services 0.33 32
Home Improvement Retail 0.86 7
Household & Personal Products 0.69 24
Industrial Distribution 0.65 17
Information Technology Services 0.59 53
Insurance Brokers 1.16 12
Insurance - Diversified 0.68 11
Insurance - Life 0.52 16
Insurance - Property & Casualty 0.4 36
Insurance - Reinsurance 0.43 7
Insurance - Specialty 0.49 16
Integrated Freight & Logistics 0.7 15
Internet Content & Information 0.27 36
Internet Retail 0.39 22
Leisure 0.85 23
Luxury Goods 1.17 5
Marine Shipping 0.78 23
Medical Care Facilities 0.55 39
Medical Devices 0.32 102
Medical Instruments & Supplies 0.33 45
Metal Fabrication 0.6 13
Mortgage Finance 1.02 17
Oil & Gas Drilling 0.31 6
Oil & Gas E&P 0.5 64
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services 0.52 43
Oil & Gas Integrated 0.52 6
Oil & Gas Midstream 1.07 37
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing 0.54 18
Other Industrial Metals & Mining 0.2 15
Other Precious Metals & Mining 0.04 12
Packaged Foods 0.87 42
Packaging & Containers 1.32 22
Personal Services 1.29 10
Pharmaceutical Retailers 0.63 8
Pollution & Treatment Controls 0.27 7
Publishing 1.1 7
Railroads 1.22 8
Real Estate - Development 0.46 9
Real Estate - Diversified 0.98 4
Real Estate Services 0.98 24
Recreational Vehicles 0.89 15
REIT - Diversified 1.44 17
REIT - Healthcare Facilities 1.08 15
REIT - Hotel & Motel 1.4 15
REIT - Industrial 0.86 16
REIT - Mortgage 3.13 35
REIT - Office 1.25 24
REIT - Residential 1.39 19
REIT - Retail 1.41 21
REIT - Specialty 1.66 15
Rental & Leasing Services 1.12 19
Residential Construction 0.44 20
Resorts & Casinos 2.39 18
Restaurants 0.84 41
Scientific & Technical Instruments 0.31 24
Security & Protection Services 0.69 14
Semiconductor Equipment & Materials 0.32 26
Semiconductors 0.31 64
Software - Application 0.31 191
Software - Infrastructure 0.53 89
Solar 0.66 13
Specialty Business Services 0.65 26
Specialty Chemicals 0.63 46
Specialty Industrial Machinery 0.5 73
Specialty Retail 1.05 40
Staffing & Employment Services 0.32 23
Steel 0.31 15
Telecom Services 1.17 33
Textile Manufacturing 1.21 4
Thermal Coal 0.18 9
Tools & Accessories 0.65 11
Travel Services 1.11 13
Trucking 0.38 11
Utilities - Diversified 1.23 15
Utilities - Regulated Electric 1.55 25
Utilities - Regulated Gas 1.52 14
Utilities - Regulated Water 1.03 12
Utilities - Renewable 1.15 11
Waste Management 0.97 12

Based on the information in the table above, the REIT - Mortgage industry has the highest average debt to equity ratio of 3.13, followed by Resorts & Casinos at 2.39. In contrast, the Other Precious Metals & Mining industry has the lowest average debt to equity ratio of 0.04, followed by the Gold industry at 0.17.

Industries with highest debt to equity ratio

You can explore the industries with the highest debt to equity ratio in the following chart and table. In the chart below, you can also sort industries by sector to see the top industries with the highest debt to equity ratio in each sector.

Industry Average debt to equity ratio Number of companies
REIT - Mortgage 3.13 35
Resorts & Casinos 2.39 18
Auto & Truck Dealerships 2.15 14
Gambling 1.86 11
Broadcasting 1.67 16
REIT - Specialty 1.66 15
Utilities - Regulated Electric 1.55 25
Utilities - Regulated Gas 1.52 14
Airlines 1.48 13
REIT - Diversified 1.44 17

Industries with lowest debt to equity ratio

Industries with the lowest debt to equity ratio are indicated in the chart and table below. You can select a sector in the chart to find out the industries with the lowest debt to equity ratio in that sector.

Industry Average debt to equity ratio Number of companies
Other Precious Metals & Mining 0.04 12
Gold 0.17 27
Biotechnology 0.18 504
Thermal Coal 0.18 9
Other Industrial Metals & Mining 0.2 15
Electronic Gaming & Multimedia 0.22 7
Internet Content & Information 0.27 36
Pollution & Treatment Controls 0.27 7
Computer Hardware 0.3 29
Electronic Components 0.31 30

Interpretation of the Debt to Equity Ratio

Interpreting the debt to equity ratio requires comparing a company's ratio to industry benchmarks and analyzing trends over time. In general, high debt to equity ratio may indicate that a company is heavily leveraged and could be at risk of default, while a low ratio may suggest that a company has a stronger financial position.

Factors That Influence the Debt to Equity Ratio

Several factors can influence a company's debt to equity ratio, including the industry it operates in, the business cycle, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, and interest rates.

There are a few reasons why some industries tend to have higher debt to equity ratios than others. Here are a few key factors:

  1. Capital Intensity: Industries that require large investments in fixed assets, such as utilities and telecommunications, may have higher debt to equity ratios. This is because they need to finance these investments with debt to maintain their operations.
  2. Industry Structure: Some industries have higher debt to equity ratios due to their unique market dynamics. For example, in the energy industry, companies often require large amounts of debt to finance exploration and production activities.
  3. Profit Margins: Industries with higher profit margins may be able to sustain higher levels of debt due to their ability to generate cash flow to service their debt obligations. This is why industries such as technology tend to have lower debt to equity ratios, as they typically have high profit margins.
  4. Regulatory Environment: The regulatory environment in which an industry operates can also impact the debt to equity ratios of its companies. For example, heavily regulated industries such as utilities may have limitations on their ability to raise equity, leading to higher debt levels.

Understanding these factors can help investors and analysts make informed investment decisions and evaluate a company's financial health.

Advantages and Limitations of Using the Debt to Equity Ratio

The debt to equity ratio has several advantages as a financial metric, including its simplicity and ability to provide a clear picture of a company's capital structure. However, it also has some limitations, such as not accounting for differences in tax rates, variations in accounting practices, and the potential impact of off-balance sheet financing.

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Debt to equity ratio by industry (2024)

FAQs

What is a good debt-to-equity ratio by industry? ›

Generally, a good debt ratio is around 1 to 1.5. However, the ideal debt ratio will vary depending on the industry, as some industries use more debt financing than others. Capital-intensive industries like the financial and manufacturing industries often have higher ratios that can be greater than 2.

Why do debt to equity ratios vary from industry to industry? ›

Some of the major reasons why the debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio varies significantly from one industry to another, and even between companies within an industry, include different capital intensity levels between industries and whether the nature of the business makes carrying a high level of debt easier to manage.

Is 0.5 a good debt-to-equity ratio? ›

Generally, a lower ratio is better, as it implies that the company is in less debt and is less risky for lenders and investors. A debt-to-equity ratio of 0.5 or below is considered good.

What is a generally acceptable debt-to-equity ratio? ›

The ideal debt to equity ratio is 2:1. This means that at no given point of time should the debt be more than twice the equity because it becomes riskier to pay back and hence there is a fear of bankruptcy.

What industry has the lowest debt-to-equity ratio? ›

Based on the information in the table above, the REIT - Mortgage industry has the highest average debt to equity ratio of 3.13, followed by Resorts & Casinos at 2.4. In contrast, the Other Precious Metals & Mining industry has the lowest average debt to equity ratio of 0.04, followed by the Gold industry at 0.17.

What is a good current ratio by industry? ›

"A current ratio of 1.2 to 1 or higher generally provides a cushion. A current ratio that is lower than the industry average may indicate a higher risk of distress or default," Fillo says. Some businesses may prefer an even higher current ratio, say 2 to 1 or 3 to 1.

What is Amazon's debt-to-equity ratio? ›

Amazon.com Debt to Equity Ratio: 0.2889 for Dec.

Should debt ratio be higher or lower than industry average? ›

Key Takeaways. Whether or not a debt ratio is "good" depends on the context: the company's industrial sector, the prevailing interest rate, etc. In general, many investors look for a company to have a debt ratio between 0.3 and 0.6.

What is the debt-to-equity ratio of Apple? ›

Apple Debt to Equity Ratio: 1.410 for March 31, 2024.

What is an unhealthy debt-to-equity ratio? ›

Generally, a good debt-to-equity ratio is anything lower than 1.0. A ratio of 2.0 or higher is usually considered risky. If a debt-to-equity ratio is negative, it means that the company has more liabilities than assets—this company would be considered extremely risky.

Is 0.7 a good debt-to-equity ratio? ›

The debt-to-equity ratio is calculated by dividing a corporation's total liabilities by its shareholder equity. The optimal D/E ratio varies by industry, but it should not be above a level of 2.0.

What does a 1.5 debt-to-equity ratio mean? ›

A debt-to-equity ratio of 1.5 would indicate that the company in question has $1.50 of debt for every $1 of equity. To illustrate, suppose the company had assets of $2 million and liabilities of $1.2 million. Since equity is equal to assets minus liabilities, the company's equity would be $800,000.

What is too high for debt to ratio? ›

Key takeaways

Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%. Any debt-to-income ratio above 43% is considered to be too much debt.

Is 50% debt to equity ratio good? ›

Yes, a D/E ratio of 50% or 0.5 is very good. This means it is a low-debt business and the company's equity is twice as high as its debts.

What is the recommended debt ratio? ›

If your debt ratio does not exceed 30%, the banks will find it excellent. Your ratio shows that if you manage your daily expenses well, you should be able to pay off your debts without worry or penalty. A debt ratio between 30% and 36% is also considered good.

What is a healthy equity to debt ratio? ›

What is a good debt-to-equity ratio? Although it varies from industry to industry, a debt-to-equity ratio of around 2 or 2.5 is generally considered good.

Is 40% a good debt-to-equity ratio? ›

A debt ratio between 30% and 36% is also considered good. It's when you're approaching 40% that you have to be very, very vigilant. With a threshold like that, you're a greater risk to lenders. You may already be having trouble making your payments each month.

What is the industry standard for debt to asset ratio? ›

What counts as a good debt ratio will depend on the nature of the business and its industry. Generally speaking, a debt-to-equity or debt-to-assets ratio below 1.0 would be seen as relatively safe, whereas ratios of 2.0 or higher would be considered risky.

What is a good debt-to-equity ratio for banking industry? ›

Industry-wise Debt to Equity Ratio
IndustryTypical Debt to Equity Ratio Range
Healthcare0.3 – 0.8
Technology (Software)0.2 – 0.6
Financial Services (Banks)4.0 – 8.0
Telecommunications1.0 – 2.5
14 more rows
Aug 9, 2023

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