Is it good to have negative working capital?
Andrew Campbell
Updated on January 04, 2026
Generally, having anything negative is not good, but in case of working capital it could be good as a company with negative working capital funds its growth in sales by effectively borrowing from its suppliers and customers. Such firms don’t supply goods on credit and constantly increase their sales.
What companies have negative working capital?
Negative Working Capital Companies
| S.No. | Name | Qtr Sales Var % |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | F A C T | 15.90 |
| 2. | Colgate-Palmoliv | 12.05 |
| 3. | Dolat Investment | 291.57 |
| 4. | VST Industries | 12.10 |
What are the disadvantages of working capital?
Lack of working capital presents several business drawbacks.
- Inability to Pay Expenses. Managers often prefer low working capital so they can invest extra funds in higher-yield finance products.
- Creditor Preference.
- Pressure to Collect Payments.
- Action Delays.
What does negative capital mean?
Defining Negative Working Capital Negative working capital describes a situation where a company’s current liabilities exceed its current assets as stated on the firm’s balance sheet. In other words, there is more short-term debt than there are short-term assets.
How can I get working capital free?
The steps required to reduce working capital requirements are not a mystery. Reduce inventory. Discontinue unprofitable products or services. Speed up accounts receivable.
How do I increase my working capital?
Some of the ways that working capital can be increased include:
- Earning additional profits.
- Issuing common stock or preferred stock for cash.
- Borrowing money on a long-term basis.
- Replacing short-term debt with long-term debt.
- Selling long-term assets for cash.
What is the sources of working capital?
Spontaneous working capital are majorly derived from trade credit including notes payable and bills payable while short term working capital sources include dividend or tax provisions, cash credit, public deposits, trade deposits, short-term loans, bills discounting, inter-corporate loans and also commercial paper.