What does the term "capital structure" refer to in private equity?

The term "capital structure" in private equity specifically refers to the combination of debt and equity that a company uses to finance its operations and growth. This mix is crucial for understanding how a company is leveraged, how it finances its assets, and how it manages its overall risk profile.

A well-balanced capital structure enables a company to optimize its cost of capital, take advantage of tax benefits associated with debt, and position itself for resilience against financial downturns. By analyzing the capital structure, investors can assess the financial health and stability of a firm, which is particularly significant in private equity, where the valuations and investment strategies often depend heavily on the company’s leverage and funding sources.

The other options do not pertain to capital structure. The amount of inventory relates to operational efficiency and supply management, the overall market value of a company pertains to its market capitalization or valuation, and brand strategy focuses on marketing and positioning rather than financial structuring.