What is Debt?
Debt is a financial obligation in which a borrower agrees to pay back a lender a certain amount of money, with interest, over a set period of time. Debt can take many forms, including mortgages, student loans, credit card balances, and car loans. One of the key advantages of borrowing money is that it enables people and corporations to undertake significant investments or purchases for which they would not have cash on hand.
For example, a mortgage allows a person to buy a home without having to save up the full purchase price, while a business loan can help a company invest in new equipment or expand its operations. However, it is important to carefully consider the terms of any debt agreement, including the interest rate and repayment schedule.
There are several forms of debt as well, such as unsecured and secured debt. Secured debt is secured by property that the lender can seize in the event that the borrower fails on the loan, such as a home or automobile. On the other hand, unsecured debt is not secured by anything, making it a larger risk for the lender. As a result, unsecured debt has higher interest rates than secured debt.
What is Equity?
In finance, equity refers to the ownership interest in a company or asset. It is the residual value of an asset after all debts and liabilities have been paid. For instance, if a person owns a home with a mortgage, their equity in the home is the difference between the home’s worth and the mortgage’s remaining sum.
In a company, equity represents the ownership interests of the shareholders. It is the portion of the company’s assets that the shareholders own, and it represents their stake in the company. When a company generates profits, the equity increases, and when it incurs losses, the equity decreases.
Equity can also refer to the difference between the value of an asset and the amount of debt used to finance it. For example, if a company uses a loan to purchase a piece of equipment, the equity in the equipment is the difference between the value of the equipment and the outstanding balance on loan. This equity can be used as collateral for additional borrowing or to secure investment in the company.
Difference Between Debt and Equity
- Debt is a financial obligation that is used to borrow money and make purchases or investments that may not be possible with available cash, whereas equity represents ownership.
- Debt must be repaid with interest according to the terms of the loan agreement, whereas equity does not need to be repaid.
- Debt is considered a lower risk for lenders, as it is backed by collateral or a promise to repay, whereas equity is considered a higher risk for investors.
- Interest on debt is a fixed cost that must be paid to the lender, whereas returns on equity depend on the company’s or asset’s performance.
- Debt does not convey ownership in a company or asset, whereas equity represents ownership.
Comparison Between Debt and Equity
| Parameters of Comparison | Debt | Equity |
| Definition | Financial Obligation to Borrow Money | Representation of Ownership |
| Repayment | As Stated in the Loan Agreement | Equity is Not to be Repaid |
| Risk Factor | Lower Risk | Higher Risk |
| Interest Rate | Must be Paid | Depends on Performance |
| Ownership | Non-Transferable Ownership | Transfer of Ownership |