#Liquidity101
Here's a simple breakdown of #Liquidity101, which covers the basics of liquidity in finance and investing:
💧 What is Liquidity?
Liquidity refers to how quickly and easily an asset can be converted into cash without significantly affecting its price.
🔑 Key Types of Liquidity
1. Market Liquidity
• The ability to buy or sell an asset quickly at stable prices.
• High liquidity = many buyers and sellers.
• Example: Stocks on major exchanges.
2. Accounting Liquidity
A company's ability to meet short-term obligations using its current assets.
Measured using ratios like:
• Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities
• Quick Ratio = (Current Assets - Inventory) / Current Liabilities
3. Asset Liquidity
• How easily a specific asset can be sold.
• Cash = most liquid
• Real estate or collectibles = less liquid
📊 Why Liquidity Matters
• Investors need liquidity to exit positions quickly.
• Businesses need liquidity to pay bills, make payroll, and survive financial stress.
• Markets with high liquidity = more efficient, less volatile, tighter spreads.
🧠 Liquidity vs. Solvency
• Liquidity = short-term cash flow
• Solvency = long-term financial health
• A company can be solvent but illiquid, or liquid but insolvent.
🚨 Signs of Low Liquidity
• Large price swings with small trades
• Wide bid-ask spreads
• Difficulty executing trades at expected prices