What defines net debt in a company's financial assessment?

Net debt is a key metric used in a company's financial assessment to provide a clearer picture of its overall financial health and leverage. The correct answer defines net debt as the total debt a company carries after accounting for its cash and cash equivalents on hand. By subtracting cash from total debt, this measure reflects the company's actual indebtedness and financial obligations more accurately.

For instance, if a company has significant debt but also holds substantial cash reserves, the net debt figure provides insight into how much of that debt could potentially be covered by available cash resources. This is especially important for investors and analysts who are assessing the company's liquidity and ability to meet short-term obligations.

The other choices focus on different aspects of a company's financials, such as the relationship between equity and liabilities, which are not directly relevant to the calculation of net debt.