Is CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) (HKG:317) Using Debt Sensibly?

Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it seems the smart money knows that debt - which is usually involved in bankruptcies - is a very important factor, when you assess how risky a company is. Importantly, CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) Company Limited (HKG:317) does carry debt. But the real question is whether this debt is making the company risky.

When Is Debt Dangerous?

Debt and other liabilities become risky for a business when it cannot easily fulfill those obligations, either with free cash flow or by raising capital at an attractive price. Part and parcel of capitalism is the process of 'creative destruction' where failed businesses are mercilessly liquidated by their bankers. While that is not too common, we often do see indebted companies permanently diluting shareholders because lenders force them to raise capital at a distressed price. Having said that, the most common situation is where a company manages its debt reasonably well - and to its own advantage. When we think about a company's use of debt, we first look at cash and debt together.

View our latest analysis for CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group)

What Is CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group)'s Net Debt?

As you can see below, CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) had CN¥5.80b of debt, at September 2024, which is about the same as the year before. You can click the chart for greater detail. However, its balance sheet shows it holds CN¥12.3b in cash, so it actually has CN¥6.49b net cash.

A Look At CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group)'s Liabilities

Zooming in on the latest balance sheet data, we can see that CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) had liabilities of CN¥23.3b due within 12 months and liabilities of CN¥6.46b due beyond that. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of CN¥12.3b as well as receivables valued at CN¥5.63b due within 12 months. So it has liabilities totalling CN¥11.9b more than its cash and near-term receivables, combined.

CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) has a market capitalization of CN¥24.3b, so it could very likely raise cash to ameliorate its balance sheet, if the need arose. But we definitely want to keep our eyes open to indications that its debt is bringing too much risk. While it does have liabilities worth noting, CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) also has more cash than debt, so we're pretty confident it can manage its debt safely. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But it is CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group)'s earnings that will influence how the balance sheet holds up in the future. So if you're keen to discover more about its earnings, it might be worth checking out this graph of its long term earnings trend.

Over 12 months, CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) reported revenue of CN¥19b, which is a gain of 25%, although it did not report any earnings before interest and tax. With any luck the company will be able to grow its way to profitability.

So How Risky Is CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group)?

While CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) lost money on an earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) level, it actually booked a paper profit of CN¥211m. So taking that on face value, and considering the cash, we don't think its very risky in the near term. One positive is that CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) is growing revenue apace, which makes it easier to sell a growth story and raise capital if need be. But that doesn't change our opinion that the stock is risky. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. However, not all investment risk resides within the balance sheet - far from it. We've identified 1 warning sign with CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you're interested in investing in businesses that can grow profits without the burden of debt, then check out this free list of growing businesses that have net cash on the balance sheet.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.