Työkapitaali

Työkapitaali, also known as working capital, is a financial metric that represents the difference between a company's current assets and its current liabilities. It is a measure of a company's short-term financial health and its ability to meet its immediate obligations.

Current assets include items such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and marketable securities that are expected to be converted into cash within one year. Current liabilities encompass short-term debts like accounts payable, accrued expenses, and the current portion of long-term debt, which are due within one year.

A positive working capital indicates that a company has sufficient liquid assets to cover its short-term debts, suggesting good financial stability. This allows the company to operate smoothly, fund day-to-day operations, and take advantage of opportunities. A negative working capital, on the other hand, may signal potential liquidity issues, where a company might struggle to pay its bills on time or could be forced to sell assets at a loss to meet its obligations.

Effective management of working capital is crucial for any business. It involves optimizing the levels of current assets and liabilities to ensure both liquidity and profitability. Companies aim to maintain an optimal level of working capital, as too much can tie up excessive funds that could be invested elsewhere, while too little can lead to financial distress. Analyzing trends in working capital over time, as well as comparing it to industry benchmarks, provides valuable insights into a company's operational efficiency and financial management practices.