What impact does excessive debt have on a company's liquidity?

Excessive debt significantly strains a company's liquidity primarily by increasing its financial obligations. When a company takes on a large amount of debt, it becomes responsible for making regular interest and principal payments. These payments can consume a considerable portion of cash flow, limiting the amount of cash available for day-to-day operations, investment opportunities, or other essential needs.

As the company's cash is tied up in meeting these debt obligations, there is a higher risk of encountering liquidity issues, especially if the company experiences a downturn in revenue or operational challenges. This scenario can lead to a cash crunch, making it difficult for the company to meet its short-term liabilities. Therefore, high levels of debt directly affect a company’s ability to manage its liquidity effectively, as the cash flow that might otherwise support business operations is diverted to servicing debt.