Is LivePerson (NASDAQ:LPSN) Using Too Much Debt?

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.' 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, LivePerson, Inc. (NASDAQ:LPSN) does carry debt. But the more important question is: how much risk is that debt creating?

When Is Debt A Problem?

Debt is a tool to help businesses grow, but if a business is incapable of paying off its lenders, then it exists at their mercy. 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. The first step when considering a company's debt levels is to consider its cash and debt together.

Check out our latest analysis for LivePerson

How Much Debt Does LivePerson Carry?

You can click the graphic below for the historical numbers, but it shows that as of March 2021 LivePerson had US$547.2m of debt, an increase on US$181.7m, over one year. But it also has US$668.2m in cash to offset that, meaning it has US$121.1m net cash.

How Healthy Is LivePerson's Balance Sheet?

We can see from the most recent balance sheet that LivePerson had liabilities of US$223.5m falling due within a year, and liabilities of US$561.0m due beyond that. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of US$668.2m as well as receivables valued at US$92.3m due within 12 months. So it has liabilities totalling US$24.0m more than its cash and near-term receivables, combined.

This state of affairs indicates that LivePerson's balance sheet looks quite solid, as its total liabilities are just about equal to its liquid assets. So while it's hard to imagine that the US$4.44b company is struggling for cash, we still think it's worth monitoring its balance sheet. Despite its noteworthy liabilities, LivePerson boasts net cash, so it's fair to say it does not have a heavy debt load! When analysing debt levels, the balance sheet is the obvious place to start. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine LivePerson'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.

Over 12 months, LivePerson reported revenue of US$396m, which is a gain of 31%, 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 LivePerson?

Although LivePerson had an earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) loss over the last twelve months, it generated positive free cash flow of US$12m. So taking that on face value, and considering the net cash situation, we don't think that the stock is too risky in the near term. The good news for LivePerson shareholders is that its revenue growth is strong, making it easier to raise capital if need be. But that doesn't change our opinion that the stock is risky. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. We've identified 2 warning signs with LivePerson , 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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