Is Jain Irrigation Systems (NSE:JISLDVREQS) Using Debt In A Risky Way?

Legendary fund manager Li Lu (who Charlie Munger backed) once said, 'The biggest investment risk is not the volatility of prices, but whether you will suffer a permanent loss of capital.' When we think about how risky a company is, we always like to look at its use of debt, since debt overload can lead to ruin. We can see that Jain Irrigation Systems Limited (NSE:JISLDVREQS) does use debt in its business. But should shareholders be worried about its use of debt?

When Is Debt A Problem?

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. In the worst case scenario, a company can go bankrupt if it cannot pay its creditors. 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. 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 examine debt levels, we first consider both cash and debt levels, together.

View our latest analysis for Jain Irrigation Systems

What Is Jain Irrigation Systems's Debt?

The chart below, which you can click on for greater detail, shows that Jain Irrigation Systems had ₹60.9b in debt in September 2020; about the same as the year before. However, because it has a cash reserve of ₹3.39b, its net debt is less, at about ₹57.5b.

How Strong Is Jain Irrigation Systems' Balance Sheet?

The latest balance sheet data shows that Jain Irrigation Systems had liabilities of ₹66.0b due within a year, and liabilities of ₹29.7b falling due after that. Offsetting this, it had ₹3.39b in cash and ₹26.1b in receivables that were due within 12 months. So its liabilities outweigh the sum of its cash and (near-term) receivables by ₹66.2b.

The deficiency here weighs heavily on the ₹9.68b company itself, as if a child were struggling under the weight of an enormous back-pack full of books, his sports gear, and a trumpet. So we definitely think shareholders need to watch this one closely. At the end of the day, Jain Irrigation Systems would probably need a major re-capitalization if its creditors were to demand repayment. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But you can't view debt in total isolation; since Jain Irrigation Systems will need earnings to service that debt. 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.

In the last year Jain Irrigation Systems had a loss before interest and tax, and actually shrunk its revenue by 20%, to ₹57b. To be frank that doesn't bode well.

Caveat Emptor

Not only did Jain Irrigation Systems's revenue slip over the last twelve months, but it also produced negative earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). Indeed, it lost a very considerable ₹3.9b at the EBIT level. Reflecting on this and the significant total liabilities, it's hard to know what to say about the stock because of our intense dis-affinity for it. Like every long-shot we're sure it has a glossy presentation outlining its blue-sky potential. But the reality is that it is low on liquid assets relative to liabilities, and it lost ₹7.7b in the last year. So we think buying this stock is risky. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. We've identified 2 warning signs with Jain Irrigation Systems (at least 1 which is potentially serious) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

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.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. 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.
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