What does a positive working capital indicate?

A positive working capital indicates that a business has enough short-term assets to cover its short-term liabilities. This financial metric is crucial for assessing the liquidity position of a company. When a business has more current assets than current liabilities, it demonstrates the ability to easily meet obligations that are due within the next year, such as accounts payable and short-term debts. This ensures operational stability, as the company can purchase inventory, pay employees, and cover other immediate expenses without facing cash flow issues.

High profitability, operational inefficiency, and heavy reliance on loans do not directly relate to working capital. While a profitable business might typically have positive working capital, profitability alone does not guarantee liquidity. Similarly, a business can have positive working capital while being inefficient or relying on loans; working capital specifically assesses short-term financial health rather than overall business efficiency or financing strategies.