The debt-to-GDP ratio is one of my key metrics for gauging market health. It's straightforward: when debt balloons faster than economic growth, stress accumulates beneath the surface. But when GDP momentum accelerates or outpaces debt expansion? That's when the pressure eases and markets typically rally. This relationship plays out consistently. Understanding where we sit on this spectrum matters—it shapes everything from liquidity conditions to asset valuations. Watch this ratio closely during market inflection points.