What are operating leases most similar to?

Operating leases are most similar to rental agreements because they involve an arrangement where one party pays to use an asset owned by another party for a specified period without gaining ownership of the asset. Just like rental agreements for property or equipment, operating leases typically involve regular payments for the duration of the lease, and at the end of the term, the lessee returns the asset to the lessor without any further obligation or ownership transfer. This short-term and non-ownership aspect closely resembles how rental agreements function, emphasizing the use of an asset rather than the acquisition of ownership.

In contrast, options such as ownership contracts imply a transfer of title or ownership, which does not occur in operating leases. Equity financing refers to raising capital through the sale of shares, which is unrelated to the concept of leasing an asset. Financial instruments typically refer to contracts that create a financial asset for one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument for another, which also does not align with the nature of operating leases. Hence, rental agreements reflect the essence of operating leases most accurately.