Working Capital
Definition
Working capital is the difference between a business's current assets (cash, accounts receivable, inventory) and current liabilities (accounts payable, short-term debt, accrued expenses). Positive working capital means a business has enough liquid assets to cover its short-term obligations and fund day-to-day operations. Negative working capital indicates potential cash flow problems. Working capital funding products — including lines of credit, MCAs, and term loans — provide businesses with the liquidity needed to manage payroll, purchase inventory, cover seasonal dips, or take advantage of growth opportunities without depleting cash reserves.
Example
A seasonal landscaping company has $50,000 in current assets and $35,000 in current liabilities, giving it $15,000 in working capital. During winter months when revenue drops, they secure a $30,000 working capital line of credit to cover payroll and equipment maintenance until spring.
Related Terms
Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)
A merchant cash advance is a financing arrangement where a business receives a lump sum of capital i...
Invoice Factoring
Invoice factoring is a financing arrangement where a business sells its outstanding invoices (accoun...
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)
The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) is a financial metric that measures a business's ability to s...
Revenue-Based Financing (RBF)
Revenue-based financing is a funding model where a business receives capital in exchange for a fixed...
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