Corporate Balance Sheets Much Weaker Than You Think: Goldman

SocGen's Andrew Lapthorne believes that weak corporate balance sheets are the fact and the cash on the sidelines is the myth.

In a report published today, Lapthorne highlighted the high level of inequality that's affecting balance sheets within the US. Specifically, the SocGen analyst notes "US corporate leverage is abnormally high for this stage in the cycle, and a handful of cash-rich mega caps are masking significant problems elsewhere."

See also: ValueWalk's exclusive value magazine 

[klarmman]

While the headlines are dominated by Apple's record cash balance, at the other end of the spectrum, many other smaller firms are struggling to meet their debt obligations. If you strip out the most significant companies, interest coverage for the smallest 50% of US companies "is near...