How does higher leverage affect liquidity risk?

Higher leverage generally increases liquidity risk because it indicates that a company has borrowed more capital relative to its equity. When a firm is highly leveraged, a significant portion of its cash flows is committed to servicing debt obligations, which can limit the availability of funds for other purposes. During periods of financial stress or economic downturns, the pressure on cash flows often intensifies, making it more challenging to meet both operational and debt obligations.

In situations where cash flow is pressured, companies with high leverage may struggle to access additional financing or may face higher borrowing costs, exacerbating liquidity challenges. Consequently, heightened leverage can diminish a company’s flexibility and increase its vulnerability to liquidity constraints, especially in adverse economic conditions. Therefore, it is accurate to say that higher leverage increases liquidity risk due to the greater difficulty in meeting obligations when under financial strain.