Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it might be obvious that you need to consider debt, when you think about how risky any given stock is, because too much debt can sink a company. We note that UMS Holdings Limited (SGX:558) does have debt on its balance sheet. But the more important question is: how much risk is that debt creating?

When Is Debt Dangerous?

Generally speaking, debt only becomes a real problem when a company can't easily pay it off, either by raising capital or with its own cash flow. If things get really bad, the lenders can take control of the business. However, a more usual (but still expensive) situation is where a company must dilute shareholders at a cheap share price simply to get debt under control. By replacing dilution, though, debt can be an extremely good tool for businesses that need capital to invest in growth at high rates of return. The first step when considering a company's debt levels is to consider its cash and debt together.

What Is UMS Holdings's Debt?

The image below, which you can click on for greater detail, shows that UMS Holdings had debt of S$17.9m at the end of March 2024, a reduction from S$21.2m over a year. However, its balance sheet shows it holds S$116.5m in cash, so it actually has S$98.6m net cash.

How Healthy Is UMS Holdings' Balance Sheet?

According to the last reported balance sheet, UMS Holdings had liabilities of S$55.3m due within 12 months, and liabilities of S$33.8m due beyond 12 months. On the other hand, it had cash of S$116.5m and S$51.7m worth of receivables due within a year. So it actually has S$79.0m more liquid assets than total liabilities.

This short term liquidity is a sign that UMS Holdings could probably pay off its debt with ease, as its balance sheet is far from stretched. Simply put, the fact that UMS Holdings has more cash than debt is arguably a good indication that it can manage its debt safely.

It is just as well that UMS Holdings's load is not too heavy, because its EBIT was down 41% over the last year. When it comes to paying off debt, falling earnings are no more useful than sugary sodas are for your health. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine UMS Holdings's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you're focused on the future you can check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts.

But our final consideration is also important, because a company cannot pay debt with paper profits; it needs cold hard cash. UMS Holdings may have net cash on the balance sheet, but it is still interesting to look at how well the business converts its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, because that will influence both its need for, and its capacity to manage debt. Over the most recent three years, UMS Holdings recorded free cash flow worth 55% of its EBIT, which is around normal, given free cash flow excludes interest and tax. This cold hard cash means it can reduce its debt when it wants to.

Summing Up

While we empathize with investors who find debt concerning, you should keep in mind that UMS Holdings has net cash of S$98.6m, as well as more liquid assets than liabilities. So we don't have any problem with UMS Holdings's use of debt. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. However, not all investment risk resides within the balance sheet - far from it. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for UMS Holdings that you should be aware of.

At the end of the day, it's often better to focus on companies that are free from net debt. You can access our special list of such companies (all with a track record of profit growth). It's free.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com