Q.The Debt-Equity Ratio of a company is 2 : 1. Which of the following transactions will increase the Debt-Equity Ratio ? (A) Issue of Shares ₹ 2,00,000 (B) Issue of 8% Debentures ₹ 5,00,000 (C) Issue of Bonus shares ₹ 4,00,000 (D) Payment to Creditors ₹ 1,00,000
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Option (B) — Issue of 8% Debentures ₹5,00,000 — will increase the Debt-Equity Ratio from 2:1.
Concept: Debt-Equity Ratio
The Debt-Equity Ratio measures the relationship between a company's external liabilities (debt) and shareholders' funds (equity):
A ratio of 2:1 means for every ₹1 of equity, the company has ₹2 of debt.
To increase this ratio, we need a transaction that either:
- Increases debt while keeping equity constant, or
- Decreases equity while keeping debt constant, or
- Increases debt proportionately more than equity increases.
Let us assume the company currently has Debt = ₹2,00,000 and Equity = ₹1,00,000 (giving the 2:1 ratio). We will test each option.
Analysis of Each Transaction
(A) Issue of Shares ₹2,00,000
Accounting Treatment:
When shares are issued, Bank/Cash A/c is debited and Share Capital A/c (part of equity) is credited.
Effect:
- Debt remains ₹2,00,000
- Equity increases to ₹1,00,000 + ₹2,00,000 = ₹3,00,000
New Ratio:
The ratio decreases from 2:1 to 0.67:1.
(B) Issue of 8% Debentures ₹5,00,000
Accounting Treatment:
When debentures are issued, Bank/Cash A/c is debited and Debentures A/c (a long-term liability, part of debt) is credited.
Effect:
- Debt increases to ₹2,00,000 + ₹5,00,000 = ₹7,00,000
- Equity remains ₹1,00,000
New Ratio:
The ratio increases from 2:1 to 7:1.
Any issue of debentures, bonds, or long-term loans increases debt without affecting equity, thereby raising the Debt-Equity Ratio.
(C) Issue of Bonus Shares ₹4,00,000
Accounting Treatment:
Bonus shares are issued by capitalising reserves. General Reserve/Profit & Loss A/c is debited and Share Capital A/c is credited. Both accounts are part of shareholders' funds (equity).
Effect:
- Debt remains ₹2,00,000
- Equity remains ₹1,00,000 (internal transfer within equity — reserves decrease, share capital increases by the same amount)
New Ratio:
The ratio remains unchanged at 2:1.
Bonus shares do NOT bring in fresh capital. They merely convert one component of equity (reserves) into another (share capital). Total equity is unaffected, so the Debt-Equity Ratio does not change.
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