2 min read
Definition
Net debt is total interest-bearing borrowings less cash and cash equivalents. It strips out the cash a company could use immediately to repay debt, giving a truer picture than gross debt.
In plain terms
A business sitting on plenty of cash is less indebted than its loan balance suggests. Net debt shows the position after that cash is netted off.
Why it matters for your company
Lenders judge leverage on net debt — via net debt/EBITDA and gearing. Keeping net debt in check widens your options and lowers your rate. Check leverage with the gearing ratio calculator.
Related reading

Gearing
Gearing is the ratio of a business's debt to its equity, showing how much of its funding comes from borrowing…
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EBITDA
EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) is a measure of a business's underlying…
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Enterprise value
Enterprise value (EV) is the whole-business price — equity plus net debt — the figure a buyer would really…
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Leverage
Leverage is the use of borrowed money to fund a business, amplifying returns on equity when things go well —…
Read →Funding for UK limited companies
Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally — short-term working capital with no personal guarantee. See what your business could access.