The formulas to calculate the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) are:
\[ SGR = ROE \times RR \]
or
\[ SGR = ROE \times (1 - DPR) \]
Where:
Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) in finance refers to the maximum rate at which a company can grow its sales, earnings, and dividends without relying on external financing or sacrificing its financial stability. It is a crucial metric for evaluating a company’s long-term viability and financial health.
Understanding SGR is important because it indicates the sustainable pace at which a company can expand its operations while maintaining financial equilibrium. If a company grows too rapidly, it may face financial instability due to increased debt or inadequate cash flows. On the other hand, if a company grows too slowly, it might miss out on potential opportunities and lose market share.
By analyzing the SGR, investors and analysts can assess a company’s growth prospects and make informed investment decisions. If a company has a high SGR, it suggests that it can generate sufficient internal funds to support its growth plans, which is generally considered positive. Conversely, a low SGR may indicate limited growth potential or the need for external financing, which may increase the company’s financial risks.
Consider an example where:
Using the formula to calculate the Sustainable Growth Rate:
\[ SGR = 0.15 \times (1 - 0.40) = 0.15 \times 0.60 = 0.09 \text{ or } 9\% \]
This means that the sustainable growth rate for this example is 9%.