What is liquidity?
In business, liquidity refers to the ability of a company to meet its financial obligations by having enough cash or assets available to pay off debts or cover expenses as they come due.
In other words, liquidity is the measure of a company’s ability to access cash quickly and easily to meet its financial obligations. This is important because if a company does not have enough liquidity, it may not be able to pay its bills, meet payroll, or make investments in the future.
There are several factors that can affect a company’s liquidity and its ability to generate cash flow from operations. Companies with strong liquidity are generally seen as more financially stable and less risky than those with weak liquidity.
Why is liquidity important for businesses?
Having sufficient liquidity is critical for the financial health and long-term success of any business:
1. It allows your business to meet obligations
Businesses need to have sufficient liquidity to pay their bills on time, meet their loan payments, and pay their employees. Without adequate liquidity, a business’ reputation will be damaged and it could lead to legal action or even bankruptcy.
2. It provides investment opportunities
Liquidity allows businesses to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise. If a company has cash on hand, it can quickly make a move to invest in a new project or acquire a competitor, giving it a competitive advantage.
3. It improves flexibility
Having liquidity gives a company the flexibility to respond to unexpected events, such as a downturn in the economy, changes in market conditions, or emergencies that require immediate cash. If a company doesn’t have liquidity, it may have to resort to expensive and time-consuming measures such as selling assets or taking out costly loans.
4. It can help with creditworthiness
Liquidity is also an important factor in determining a company’s creditworthiness. Lenders and investors look at a company’s liquidity ratios when deciding whether to provide financing or invest in the business. A company with strong liquidity ratios is seen as less risky and more likely to meet its financial obligations, making it more attractive to lenders and investors.
What are assets?
Assets are resources that have economic value and are owned or controlled by an individual, organization, or government entity. These resources can be tangible or intangible.
Tangible assets are physical assets that can be seen and touched. They can include items such as land, buildings, vehicles, machinery, and inventory.
Intangible assets are non-physical assets that have value but cannot be seen or touched. Examples of intangible assets include patents, trademarks, copyrights, brand names, and goodwill.
What is the liquidity of assets?
Liquidity of assets refers to how easily an asset can be converted into cash without significant loss in value. It is a measure of how quickly and easily an asset can be bought or sold in the market.
Liquid assets
Assets that are considered highly liquid include cash, money market instruments, and government bonds. These assets can be easily sold in the market at their fair market value and converted into cash quickly.
Illiquid assets
Assets that are considered illiquid include real estate, private equity investments, and artwork. These assets can take longer to sell and may require significant effort to find a buyer willing to pay the fair market value. The sale of such assets may also incur significant transaction costs.
The level of liquidity of an asset can affect its value and risk. Highly liquid assets tend to be less risky because they can be easily converted into cash in case of a financial emergency, whereas illiquid assets tend to be riskier because they are harder to sell and can tie up a significant amount of capital.
How do I calculate liquidity ratios?
There are 3 common types of liquidity ratios, and several ways to calculate it. Some of the most commonly used methods are:
Current ratio
The current ratio is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. This ratio indicates the company’s ability to pay off its short-term debts using its short-term assets. A higher current ratio indicates a more liquid company.
Formula: Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities
Quick ratio
The quick ratio is calculated by dividing quick assets (current assets minus inventory) by current liabilities. This ratio indicates the company’s ability to pay off its short-term debts without relying on the sale of inventory.
Formula: Quick Ratio = (Current Assets – Inventory) / Current Liabilities
Cash ratio
The cash ratio is calculated by dividing cash and cash equivalents by current liabilities. This ratio indicates the company’s ability to pay off its short-term debts using only its cash reserves.
Formula: Cash Ratio = Cash and Cash Equivalents / Current Liabilities
All three ratios are used to determine a company’s liquidity position, with a higher ratio indicating a more liquid position. It is important to note that these ratios should be used in conjunction with other financial metrics to get a complete picture of a company’s financial health.
What is market liquidity?
Market liquidity refers to the degree to which a financial asset or security can be easily bought or sold in the market without significantly affecting its price. In other words, it refers to the ability of buyers and sellers to transact in a market without causing a significant change in the price of the asset.
A market with high liquidity has a large number of buyers and sellers, and there is a high trading volume for the asset. This means that investors can easily buy or sell the asset, and they can do so quickly and without causing a significant impact on its price.
On the other hand, a market with low liquidity has a limited number of buyers and sellers, and there is a low trading volume for the asset. This makes it more difficult for investors to buy or sell the asset, and they may need to wait longer to find a buyer or seller. Additionally, because there are fewer market participants, a large buy or sell order can have a significant impact on the asset’s price.
Market liquidity is important for investors because it can affect the ease and cost of trading. Assets with high liquidity tend to have lower transaction costs and lower bid-ask spreads, while assets with low liquidity may have higher transaction costs and wider bid-ask spreads.
Liquidity examples
Here are some examples of liquidity in business:
Cash on hand
The most liquid asset is cash, as it can be readily used to pay bills, invest in new opportunities or meet any financial obligations.
Marketable securities
These are easily tradable securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that can be quickly converted into cash without significant loss in value.
Accounts receivable
These are amounts owed to the company by its customers, which can be easily converted into cash by collecting payment from the customers.
Inventory
Although less liquid than cash or marketable securities, inventory can be sold quickly for cash if the need arises.
Short-term investments
These are investments that mature in less than a year and can be easily liquidated for cash.
Lines of credit
These are agreements between the company and a bank or other financial institution that allows the company to borrow money up to a certain limit.
Cash equivalents
These are highly liquid investments that can be easily converted into cash such as treasury bills, commercial paper, and money market funds.
How can I improve my liquidity?
Improving liquidity can be an important goal for individuals and businesses alike. Here are some ways you can improve your liquidity:
1. Reduce expenses
The more money you save, the more cash you’ll have available to use for other purposes. Review your expenses and look for areas where you can cut back.
2. Increase income
You can improve your liquidity by increasing your income. This can be done by taking on additional work, starting a side business, or investing in income-generating assets.
3. Sell unused assets
If you have assets that are not being used, such as unused equipment, vehicles, or property, consider selling them to free up cash.
4. Refinance debt
Refinancing debt can reduce your monthly payments and free up cash for other purposes. However, be aware that there may be fees associated with refinancing, so be sure to weigh the costs and benefits.
5. Negotiate payment terms
If you have outstanding debts, try to negotiate payment terms that are more favorable to you. This may involve extending payment deadlines or reducing interest rates.
6. Maintain good credit
Having good credit can help you secure favorable financing terms, which can improve your liquidity.
How can financial modelling software help?
Assessing and keeping track of the liquidity in your business can require a lengthy process of spreadsheets and equations to figure out exactly how your finances stand.
Financial modelling software can ensure that all financial aspects of your business are tracked, alongside other key components. Brixx can take into consideration your assets, the liquidity of these assets, and even assess and model the depreciation of such assets over time.
