What is indicated by working capital in a business?

Working capital is a crucial financial metric for a business, reflecting its operational efficiency and short-term financial health. It is calculated as the difference between current assets and current liabilities. This measurement indicates the liquidity available to the company for its day-to-day operations, such as paying suppliers, employees, and other short-term obligations.

Having a positive working capital signifies that the business can easily cover its short-term debts and is in a healthy financial position to invest in opportunities. Conversely, if a company has negative working capital, it may struggle to meet its financial obligations, which could pose risks to its operations.

The other choices provide different financial measurements that do not accurately describe working capital. For instance, assessing the difference between total assets and long-term liabilities is more closely related to evaluating a company's net worth or equity position rather than its short-term financial health. Similarly, revenue minus operational costs pertains to profitability rather than liquidity. Therefore, the correct understanding of working capital is specifically tied to the balance between current assets and current liabilities.