Liquidity risk is defined as?

Liquidity risk specifically refers to the risk that an entity may not be able to meet its short-term financial obligations due to the inability to convert assets into cash quickly or without a substantial loss in value. This aspect of risk is critical because it affects an organization's ability to fulfill its immediate commitments, such as paying creditors, suppliers, and operational expenses.

In practical terms, if a company holds illiquid assets or faces a downturn in market conditions, it might struggle to sell those assets or generate cash flow quickly enough, leading to potential defaults on payments. Thus, understanding liquidity risk is essential for effective financial management and risk assessment, especially in environments with fluctuating market dynamics.