Respuesta :
Option 2 is correct - There is a higher probability of experiencing Financial distress.
Firms with volatile operating income tend to have lower debt ratios because there is a higher probability of experiencing financial distress.
Financial distress is a condition in which a company or individual cannot generate sufficient revenues or income, making it unable to meet or pay its financial obligations. This is generally due to high fixed costs, a large degree of illiquid assets, or revenues sensitive to economic downturns.
Following reasons can lead to financial distress in a firm.
- Cash flows - The first sign that things are going wrong is a constant shortage of cash. The old adage that cash is king exists for a reason
- Falling margins and poor profits - Experienced entrepreneurs have learnt that for long-term survival what matters are profits, not only sales. Poor profits are usually the first indicators that a business is not doing well.
- Poor sales growth or decline in revenues - When there is no sales growth despite extreme marketing activities, this could indicate a lack of customer acceptance, which is key to any business success.
- Extended payment days - Another sign of possible trouble is a rise in either creditor or debtor payment days. If business has to delay payments to its creditors, this can force some suppliers to stop supplying
- Difficulty in raising capital - If a company is constantly borrowing and asking its investors to inject more capital, this is an underlying sign that it is increasingly finding it difficult to self-sustain.
Hence, Firms with volatile operating income tend to have lower debt ratios because there is a higher probability of experiencing financial distress.
To know more about financial distress, check the following links.
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