These 4 Measures Indicate That CIMC Enric Holdings (HKG:3899) Is Using Debt Reasonably Well

David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the permanent loss of capital.' It's only natural to consider a company's balance sheet when you examine how risky it is, since debt is often involved when a business collapses. As with many other companies CIMC Enric Holdings Limited (HKG:3899) makes use of debt. But is this debt a concern to shareholders?

When Is Debt A Problem?

Debt assists a business until the business has trouble paying it off, either with new capital or with free cash flow. Part and parcel of capitalism is the process of 'creative destruction' where failed businesses are mercilessly liquidated by their bankers. However, a more usual (but still expensive) situation is where a company must dilute shareholders at a cheap share price simply to get debt under control. By replacing dilution, though, debt can be an extremely good tool for businesses that need capital to invest in growth at high rates of return. When we think about a company's use of debt, we first look at cash and debt together.

See our latest analysis for CIMC Enric Holdings

What Is CIMC Enric Holdings's Net Debt?

You can click the graphic below for the historical numbers, but it shows that as of June 2021 CIMC Enric Holdings had CN¥1.28b of debt, an increase on CN¥1.20b, over one year. However, it does have CN¥3.19b in cash offsetting this, leading to net cash of CN¥1.91b.

How Healthy Is CIMC Enric Holdings' Balance Sheet?

We can see from the most recent balance sheet that CIMC Enric Holdings had liabilities of CN¥8.89b falling due within a year, and liabilities of CN¥914.0m due beyond that. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of CN¥3.19b as well as receivables valued at CN¥4.45b due within 12 months. So its liabilities total CN¥2.16b more than the combination of its cash and short-term receivables.

Given CIMC Enric Holdings has a market capitalization of CN¥15.4b, it's hard to believe these liabilities pose much threat. Having said that, it's clear that we should continue to monitor its balance sheet, lest it change for the worse. Despite its noteworthy liabilities, CIMC Enric Holdings boasts net cash, so it's fair to say it does not have a heavy debt load!

Another good sign is that CIMC Enric Holdings has been able to increase its EBIT by 20% in twelve months, making it easier to pay down debt. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine CIMC Enric Holdings's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting.

Finally, while the tax-man may adore accounting profits, lenders only accept cold hard cash. CIMC Enric Holdings may have net cash on the balance sheet, but it is still interesting to look at how well the business converts its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, because that will influence both its need for, and its capacity to manage debt. Looking at the most recent three years, CIMC Enric Holdings recorded free cash flow of 48% of its EBIT, which is weaker than we'd expect. That weak cash conversion makes it more difficult to handle indebtedness.

Summing up

While CIMC Enric Holdings does have more liabilities than liquid assets, it also has net cash of CN¥1.91b. And it impressed us with its EBIT growth of 20% over the last year. So is CIMC Enric Holdings's debt a risk? It doesn't seem so to us. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. However, not all investment risk resides within the balance sheet - far from it. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for CIMC Enric Holdings you should be aware of.

Of course, if you're the type of investor who prefers buying stocks without the burden of debt, then don't hesitate to discover our exclusive list of net cash growth stocks, today.

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.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.