21

Leverage

OBJECTIVES

To explain what leverage actually means

To elucidate the ROI leverage

To discuss different forms of marginal-analysis leverage, such as operating leverage, fixed-charge leverage and combined leverage

To explain financial leverage

In general sense, a lever is the term used to refer to anything used to move something up, and leverage is therefore the advantage gained from the operation of a lever. This term is also used in corporate finance with a somewhat similar connotation. The discussion of leverage in this area of study is related to the acceleration of profits through changes in certain financial variables, which means in turn that leverage is a tool of profit planning.

Since the purpose of leverage is to raise ...

Get Fundamentals of Financial Management now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.