Net Debt
Calculated as short- and long-term interest-bearing debt minus cash (and equivalents). Because cash is applied against debt, this metric gives an overall impression of a company's debt situation.
Investopedia Commentary
When investing in a company, one of the most important factors you need to consider is how much debt the company is carrying. Here are some questions to ask yourself when analyzing a company's debt: How much debt really exists? What kind of debt is it (long/short-term maturities)? What is the debt for (repay or refinance old debts)? Can the company afford the debt if it runs into financial trouble? And, finally, how does it compare to the debt levels of competing companies?
Related Links
When Companies Borrow Money
Debt Reckoning
What Is A Corporate Credit Rating?
See also: Acid-Test Ratio, Cash and Cash Equivalents, Debt, Debt Ratio, Debt Service, Debt-Service Coverage Ratio - DCSR, Debt/Equity Ratio, Leverage