What does 'geared beta' specifically refer to?

Geared beta specifically refers to the equity beta of a company after taking into account its financial leverage. This measure reflects the systematic risk of a company's equity in relation to the overall market, adjusted for the company's debt levels. When a company has debt, the equity holders assume additional risk because they are last in line to receive payments in the event of liquidation. As a result, when financial leverage increases, the geared beta also typically increases, signifying that equity holders face greater risk and potential return.

In contrast, asset beta, which is not geared, measures the risk of the company's assets without accounting for financial leverage. This represents the risk inherent in the business operations, excluding the effects of financing decisions. Comparisons of market and company risk do not specifically define geared beta, while the total risk of the investment portfolio encompasses all types of risk, not just beta related to equity or financial leverage. Understanding geared beta is crucial for investors when assessing the risk-return profile of leveraged companies.