Equity | Definition

Brand equity is important because it drives consumer behavior and impacts a company's financial performance.

Equity is the difference between the value of an asset, like a home, a car, or a business, and the amount owed on the asset. At its core, equity refers to the amount of ownership that you have in a particular asset. Equity is an important concept to understand because it can affect short-term goals like borrowing money for a mortgage or investing in an entrepreneurial venture and longer-term objectives like building generational wealth.

Equity is a term that can be applied to personal finance and business. In business contexts, equity is often evaluated in terms of a ‘return on equity.’ Return on equity, or ROE, is a measure of how much profit an investment makes relative to its investment cost. Different kinds of equity include shareholder equity, home equity, private equity, and brand equity. 

What is Equity?

Equity is the value of an asset after debt, also called liabilities or obligations, have been subtracted. In the context of real estate, equity is the difference between the current market value of a property versus the amount still owed on the mortgage. 

As an example, if a house is purchased for $300,000 and has an outstanding mortgage of $200,000, then the equity, meaning the amount of the house that the homeowner actually owns, is $100,000. If the value of the house increases to $350,000 and the mortgage remains unchanged at $200,000, then the equity value will increase from $100,000 to $150,000.

In the business world, equity refers to the ownership of shares in a particular company. Return on equity is a measure of how much profit a company generates for each dollar of shareholder equity invested. As an example, if a company has total assets of $25 million and has total debt of $15 million, then the equity ownership that shareholders have in the company is $10 million. If the company generates a profit of $1 million against the $10 million in equity that shareholders own, then the return on equity for these shareholders is $1 million divided by $10 million, or ten percent.

Four Types of Equity

1. Home Equity

Home equity is the difference between the market value of a home and the outstanding balance on the mortgage. Home equity is important because it represents the value of an individual's investment in their home, and for many individuals, it is their most significant source of wealth. 

Home equity provides homeowners with several important benefits, including the following:

• Asset value: Home equity can rise over time as property values appreciate, allowing homeowners to reap the rewards of this appreciation.
• Access to credit: Homeowners can use the equity in their home to obtain a loan, which is referred to as a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. HELOCs can be used for home improvements, debt consolidation, or other purposes.
• Flexibility: Home equity can be accessed as needed, providing homeowners with flexibility in responding to an emergency or managing personal finances.
• Stable investment: Real estate values tend to be more stable than stocks, providing homeowners with a relatively secure investment.

2. Shareholder Equity 

Shareholder equity represents the residual value of a company after all debts and obligations have been paid. Shareholder equity is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets. If the company’s debt and other obligations are greater than its assets, then the company will have negative equity.

This same concept exists on the housing side. If the amount owed on a mortgage is more than the value of the house itself, then the homeowner will have negative equity in the house, also called being ‘underwater’ or having a mortgage that is ‘upside down.’

Recommended Read: Understanding Underwater Car Loans

Shareholder equity is important because it represents the amount of money that shareholders would receive if a company were to sell all of its assets and pay off its debts. Just as with homeowner equity, shareholder equity provides the owners of a corporation with several benefits, including:

• Ownership and control: Shareholder equity provides owners with a voice in company decisions and a stake in its profits.
• Return on investment: If a company performs well, shareholders can benefit from these profits through dividend payments and increases in stock price.
• Limited liability: Investing in a company as a shareholder, for instance, buying stock or investing in a mutual fund, allows owners to participate in the growth of a company without being personally liable for the debts and obligations of the company.
• Transparency: Publicly-traded companies are required to disclose financial information, providing shareholders with greater transparency into the company's operations.

3. Private Equity

Private equity refers to investments made in private companies that are not publicly traded. Private equity firms typically invest in companies with strong growth potential and seek to add value by providing strategic guidance and operational support. 

Private equity is important because it provides capital to companies that may not be able to access traditional sources of funding. Benefits of private equity investments include:

• Control: Private equity investors often have a greater degree of control over the companies they invest in than public shareholders.
• High returns: Private equity investments can provide high returns to investors, often outperforming the stock market.
• Operational support: If a company receives investment from a private equity firm, such firms often provide operational support to the companies in which they invest, helping them to grow and succeed.
• Long-term investments: Private equity firms also are often willing to invest in companies with a long-term growth strategy, providing stability to the companies they invest in.

Recommended Read: How to Start Investing | Investing for Beginners

4. Brand Equity

Brand equity is rarely discussed, but it is critically important for companies, particularly those with a well-known brand. Whether the company's product is shoes, coffee, or cornflakes, the company that owns that brand will invest heavily in this asset. 

Brand equity refers to the value that a brand adds to a product or service and is the sum of all the intangible factors associated with a brand. Brand equity is important because it can drive consumer behavior and impact a company's financial performance. Benefits that companies obtain from brand equity include:

• Competitive Advantage: Products or services with strong brand equity can have a competitive advantage in the market, as consumers may be willing to pay more for these products or services.
• Customer Loyalty: Strong brand equity can lead to customer loyalty and repeat business.
• Brand Recognition: Strong brand equity can increase brand recognition and awareness among consumers.
• Value Creation: Brand equity can create value for the company, as it can be used for marketing, licensing, and other business opportunities.

Recommended Read: 5 Ways Assets Help Your Financial Health | CapWay

The Money Wrap-Up

Equity is a critical concept in finance, and understanding its different forms is essential for making informed investment decisions. By understanding the different forms of equity and their importance in various industries, investors can make more informed decisions about where to allocate their capital.