Levered equity

Definition

Levered equity refers to the value of a company’s equity after accounting for debt. It represents the portion of a business that belongs to shareholders once all outstanding liabilities have been taken into consideration.

What it means

Levered equity shows how much value remains for shareholders when a company uses borrowing to finance its operations or growth. Debt can amplify returns when a business performs well, but it also increases risk, as repayments must be met regardless of performance.

Investors and lenders look at levered equity to understand the balance between risk and return, particularly in businesses that rely heavily on external financing.

How it’s calculated

Levered Equity = Enterprise Value − Net Debt

Net debt typically includes interest bearing debt minus cash and cash equivalents.

Example

If a business has:

• An enterprise value of $5,000,000
• Net debt of $2,000,000

Its levered equity would be:
$5,000,000 minus $2,000,000 equals $3,000,000

This $3,000,000 represents the value attributable to shareholders.

Why levered equity matters

• Helps investors assess shareholder value after debt
• Highlights the impact of leverage on returns and risk
• Commonly used in valuations, buyouts and funding decisions

Important to note

Higher leverage can increase equity returns, but it also raises financial risk. Levered equity should always be assessed alongside cash flow, debt servicing ability and overall business stability.

In short, levered equity provides a clearer picture of what a business is truly worth to its shareholders once borrowing is factored in.