Financial ratios are important when analysing firm’s financial statements as they provide valuable insight into how a firm is operating. Financial ratios can be separated into five different categories , activity ratios, growth ratios, liquidity ratios, profitability ratios and solvency ratios.
Activity ratios measure how quickly a firm converts non-cash assets into cash. Growth ratios measure investor’s response in owning shares in a particular firm. Liquidity ratios measure the availability of cash that a firm has in order to meet their short term debt obligations. Profitability ratios measure how a firm uses their assets and controls their expenses to generate an acceptable rate of return. Solvency ratios measure the firm's ability to repay long-term debt.
The ratios presented in the tutorials below may differ from other textbooks and websites. The issue is that different analysts use different measures in calculating similar ratios. It is important to keep in mind that there is no one “correct” way to calculate accounting ratios
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Activity ratios examine the day-to-day operating efficiency of a firm. The higher the ratio the more efficient the firm is operating. Activity ratios measure how quickly a firm converts non-cash assets into cash.
The following ratios are covered in this tutorial:
InventoryTurnover
Receivables Turnover
Payables Turnover
Working capital Turnover
Fixed Asset Turnover
Liquidity ratios access the firm’s ability to pay off their short term debt. To pay off short term debt a firm needs to be able to convert their currents assets into cash quickly. These ratios indicate a margin of safety. Liquidity ratios should be above 1 and preferably above 1.5. If the ratio is equal to or greater than 1 then the firm will likely be able to meet their short term obligations. If it happens to be below 1 then the firm is facing a liquidity problem and it is unlikely they will be able to meet there short term debt obligations.
The following ratios are covered in this tutorial
:
CurrentRatio
Quick Ratio (acid test ratio)
Cash Ratio
Operating Cash Flow Ratio
Profitability ratios examine how profitable a firm has been during the period. This usually involves comparing revenue earned by the firm with other aspects of the firm, such as expenses and net profit.
The following ratios are covered in this tutorial:
Gross profit margin
Net profit margin ratio
Expense ratios
Return on Assets
oReturn n Equity (ROE)
EBIT Margin Ratio
Solvency ratios analyses a firm’s ability to meet both their short term and long term liabilities. The inability of a firm to meet their obligations can lead a firm to default on their loans and can lead to bankruptcy.
The following ratios are covered in this tutorial:
SolvencyRatio
Debt Ratio
Debt to Equity Ratio
Cash Flows from Operations to Debt Ratio
Times Interest Earned Coverage Ratio