A negative balance in shareholders’ equity, also called stockholders’ equity, means that liabilities exceed assets. Below we list some common reasons for negative shareholders’ equity.

Is it OK to have negative equity on a balance sheet?

The negative amount of owner’s equity is a problem that will be obvious to anyone reading the company’s balance sheet. However, the company may be able to operate if its cash inflows are greater and sooner than the cash outflows necessary for meeting its payments on its liabilities.

What happens if a company has negative equity?

A company with negative equity is at risk. Negative equity is a major red flag to lenders and investors. If all its liabilities came due at once, the company wouldn’t be able to pay them, even if it liquidated assets, and it would fail. However, liabilities typically don’t have to be paid all at once.