A company is said to be highly geared if the value of fixed interest loans is high compared to the value of share capital. In other words, a highly geared company has a larger proportion of debt (loans with fixed interest payments) in its capital structure compared to equity (shares). This means that the company has a higher level of financial leverage and is more reliant on debt financing to operate and invest in its business.
Being highly geared can have advantages and disadvantages for a company. On one hand, debt financing can provide tax advantages and allow a company to leverage its operations for higher returns on equity. On the other hand, high levels of debt can increase the risk of financial distress if the company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow to make interest payments on its loans. This can lead to default, bankruptcy, and potential insolvency.
Therefore, it is important for companies to carefully manage their capital structure and maintain a balance between debt and equity financing that reflects their financial goals, risk tolerance, and operating conditions.