Stocks & Portfolios

Unlevered and Relevered Beta

Separate operating risk from a simplified financing-leverage effect.

Your numbers

Sample inputs are illustrative. Changing currency changes labels only.

Your result

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How to use this calculator

  1. Enter observed equity beta, observed debt/equity ratio, assumed tax rate (%), target debt/equity ratio.
  2. Choose a display currency, then select Calculate. Results also update after a brief pause while you edit.
  3. Read the result with the assumptions below. Export details or save a second scenario to compare your choices.

Formula and method

βu=βe/[1+(1−tax)D/E]; target βe=βu[1+(1−tax)target D/E].

Assumptions and limitations

Hamada-style approximation with zero debt beta and constant tax assumptions; market-value leverage is generally relevant.

Worked example

With observed equity beta = 1.2, observed debt/equity ratio = 0.5, assumed tax rate (%) = 20, target debt/equity ratio = 1, unlevered beta is approximately 0.85714286.

What the result means

Separate operating risk from a simplified financing-leverage effect.

Common questions

How should I interpret unlevered beta?

Separate operating risk from a simplified financing-leverage effect.

What should I check before using this result?

Hamada-style approximation with zero debt beta and constant tax assumptions; market-value leverage is generally relevant.

Methodology and transparency

Calculation specification reviewed on 2026-10-14. Mathematical implementation is tested against independent reference fixtures. This does not imply review by a licensed financial professional. Read the testing and precision policy.