Working capital is a fundamental measure of a company's short-term financial health and operational efficiency. It represents the difference between current assets and current liabilities, showing whether a business has enough liquid assets to cover its short-term obligations.
Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities
This simple formula reveals how much capital is available for day-to-day operations after all short-term obligations are met.
The working capital ratio (current ratio) is calculated as Current Assets / Current Liabilities. A ratio above 1.0 indicates positive working capital, while below 1.0 suggests potential liquidity issues.
Adequate working capital ensures a business can meet its operational needs, pay employees, purchase inventory, and handle unexpected expenses. It's crucial for maintaining smooth business operations and taking advantage of growth opportunities.