Explanation of Debt Ratio:

The Debt Ratio measures the percentage of Short-Term Debt to Long-Term Debt, a useful way to uncover a company's reliance on short term or long term debt.

Importance of Debt Ratio:

If the Debt Ratio is increasing, this may be a sign the company has not been able to secure long-term, lower interest financing, instead having to secure short-term, higher interest short term financing.  If the Debt Ratio is decreasing, it is generally a positive sign, showing the company may be paying off its Short-Term debt or possibly refinancing its Short-Term Debt into Long-Term Debt.  Refinancing is not a bad sign in itself, as they may simply be trying to reduce their interest payments.  The Long-Term Debt needs to be monitored over time to see if they are reducing the total value of the Long-Term Debt.