Company STU has total assets of $20 million and total equity of $12 million. Calculate its debt-to-equity ratio and discuss its interpretation in assessing financial leverage. Explain the debt-to-equity ratio as a measure of a company's capital structure, indicating the proportion of financing provided by creditors relative to shareholders. Discuss the significance of the debt-to-equity ratio in evaluating financial risk, solvency, and its implications for capital allocation decisions and shareholder value.