What does financial leverage involve?

Financial leverage involves using borrowed funds to enhance investment returns. This means that an investor or a company takes on debt to increase the amount of capital available for investing. The objective is to amplify potential returns on an investment. If the investments yield returns higher than the cost of the borrowed funds, the investor can realize greater profits than if they were using only their own capital. However, this approach also entails risks, as leveraging can magnify losses if investments perform poorly.

The concept of financial leverage is fundamental in understanding how businesses finance their operations and growth. By strategically utilizing debt, companies can scale more rapidly and increase shareholder value, as long as they manage the associated risks effectively.