The sustainable growth rate (SGR) is one of the most important determiners of a company's future prospects. It indicates the maximum rate at which a business can expand without requiring outside capital or debt. A high SGR is seen as a sign of financial health, as it reveals that a company is capable of growing effectively through its own sales and profit margins.

The SGR calculation is composed of two important pieces of data: the return on assets (ROA) and the plowback ratio. The ROA is the percentage of a company's net income that is retained after all expenses, taxes, and debt have been paid. The plowback ratio is a measure of how much of this retained earnings are reinvested into the business. When the ROA and plowback ratio are combined, we get the sustainable growth rate.

The SGR is used to determine the feasibility of a company's long-term growth strategies, such as whether it is prudent for the company to plan for additional capital or other finances to expand. It is also used to create cash flow projections and calculate dividend payments.

Keeping a healthy SGR is essential for any company looking to maintain and even increase its market share. To achieve high SGRs over a sustained period of time, companies must have effective sales efforts, focus on high-margin products and services, and manage their inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Companies that make use of these strategies will find increases in the SGR over the long-term, allowing them to grow without requiring additional equity or debt.

Unfortunately, achieving a high SGR is not without its challenges. Changes in economic conditions, emergence of new industry competition, and the necessity for costly research and development (R&D) can all impact a company's ability to sustain a high SGR. Moreover, if a company wishes to grow at a more substantial rate, it could be forced to make the contentious decision to cut its dividends.

All in all, the Sustainable Growth Rate is an essential measure for businesses planning for long-term growth. By properly assessing their current SGR combined with forecasting possible economic conditions, companies can plan their growth strategies to ensure their long-term success.