Liabilities on a balance sheet refer to which of the following?

Liabilities on a balance sheet represent the obligations of a company, indicating debts or amounts owed to creditors. This is a fundamental concept in accounting because liabilities reflect the financial responsibilities that the company has to external parties, including suppliers, lenders, and other stakeholders.

Understanding liabilities is crucial for assessing a company's financial health. These obligations can include short-term liabilities, such as accounts payable, and long-term liabilities, such as loans and bonds payable. Monitoring these liabilities allows investors and analysts to evaluate the risks associated with a company's capital structure and its ability to meet financial obligations.

The other options pertain to different aspects of a company's financial status. Investments would fall under assets on the balance sheet, cash flow fundamentals relate to the company’s operational efficiency, and owner's equity represents the residual interest in the company's assets after deducting liabilities. Each of these plays a unique role in understanding a company's overall financial picture, but liabilities specifically denote the debts and obligations.