What does the cost of debt indicate for a company?

The cost of debt represents the effective rate that a company pays on its borrowed funds. This metric is crucial for understanding how much a company will need to pay in interest to service its loans, which directly affects its profitability and cash flows. A lower cost of debt indicates favorable borrowing conditions, while a higher cost could suggest increased risk associated with borrowing or a deteriorating credit profile.

This measure is closely monitored by investors and analysts, as it plays a vital role in evaluating a company's financial health and its overall cost of capital. By properly managing its cost of debt, a company can enhance its capital structure and potentially improve returns on equity, driving long-term value creation.

The other options do not relate directly to the cost of debt. Equity shares outstanding pertain more to ownership and market capitalization, expected revenue from investments refers to future income potential rather than servicing costs, and total liabilities represent the overall financial obligations of the company, which includes but is not limited to debt obligations.