In a financial report, what does a high debt ratio suggest?

A high debt ratio indicates that a significant portion of an organization's assets is financed through debt. This suggests that the organization is heavily leveraged, meaning it relies more on borrowed funds to finance its operations or investments rather than using equity. A higher ratio can point to higher financial risk because it can indicate that the organization may struggle to meet its debt obligations during downturns or financial stress. Understanding the implications of leverage is essential for assessing the overall financial health of an organization and its ability to withstand economic fluctuations.