A procurement manager is undertaking a financial due diligence of potential suppliers.

Gearing is a measure of a supplier’slong-term financial riskand indicates the proportion of debt used to finance the organisation compared with equity. It is calculated usinglong-term debt (such as long-term loans)in relation toshareholders’ equity (ordinary share capital). High gearing suggests greater reliance on borrowed funds, increasing the risk of financial instability and potential supply disruption. Cost of sales and operating costs relate to profitability, while current liabilities are short-term obligations assessed through liquidity ratios, not gearing. Procurement professionals must understand gearing when conducting financial due diligence to ensure suppliers are financially sustainable and capable of meeting long-term contractual commitments.