List of Financial Ratios
Here is a list of
various financial ratios. Take note that most of the ratios can also be
expressed in percentage by multiplying the decimal number by
100%. Each ratio is briefly described.
Profitability Ratios
1.
Gross
Profit Rate = Gross Profit / Net Sales
Evaluates how much
gross profit is generated from sales. Gross profit is equal to net sales (sales
minus sales returns, discounts, and allowances) minus cost of sales.
2.
Return
on Sales = Net Income / Net Sales
Also known as
"net profit margin" or "net profit rate", it measures the
percentage of income derived from dollar sales. Generally, the higher the ROS
the better.
3.
Return
on Assets = Net Income / Average Total Assets
In financial analysis,
it is the measure of the return on investment. ROA is used in
evaluating management's efficiency in using assets to generate income.
4.
Return
on Stockholders' Equity = Net Income / Average Stockholders' Equity
Measures the
percentage of income derived for every dollar of owners' equity.
Liquidity Ratios
1.
Current
Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities
Evaluates the ability
of a company to pay short-term obligations using current assets (cash,
marketable securities, current receivables, inventory, and prepayments).
2.
Acid
Test Ratio = Quick Assets / Current Liabilities
Also known as "quick
ratio", it measures the ability of a company to pay short-term
obligations using the more liquid types of current assets or "quick
assets" (cash, marketable securities, and current receivables).
3.
Cash
Ratio = ( Cash + Marketable Securities ) / Current Liabilities
Measures the ability
of a company to pay its current liabilities using cash and marketable
securities. Marketable securities are short-term debt instruments that are as
good as cash.
4.
Net
Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities
Determines if a
company can meet its current obligations with its current assets; and how much
excess or deficiency there is.
Management Efficiency Ratios
1.
Receivable
Turnover = Net Credit Sales / Average Accounts Receivable
Measures the
efficiency of extending credit and collecting the same. It indicates the
average number of times in a year a company collects its open accounts. A high
ratio implies efficient credit and collection process.
2.
Days
Sales Outstanding = 360 Days / Receivable Turnover
Also known as "receivable
turnover in days", "collection period". It
measures the average number of days it takes a company to collect a receivable.
The shorter the DSO, the better. Take note that some use 365 days instead of
360.
3.
Inventory
Turnover = Cost of Sales / Average Inventory
Represents the number
of times inventory is sold and replaced. Take note that some authors use Sales
in lieu of Cost of Sales in the above formula. A high ratio indicates that the
company is efficient in managing its inventories.
4.
Days
Inventory Outstanding = 360 Days / Inventory Turnover
Also known as "inventory
turnover in days". It represents the number of days inventory sits in
the warehouse. In other words, it measures the number of days from purchase of
inventory to the sale of the same. Like DSO, the shorter the DIO the better.
5.
Accounts
Payable Turnover = Net Credit Purchases / Ave. Accounts Payable
Represents the number
of times a company pays its accounts payable during a period. A low ratio is
favored because it is better to delay payments as much as possible so that the
money can be used for more productive purposes.
6.
Days
Payable Outstanding = 360 Days / Accounts Payable Turnover
Also known as "accounts
payable turnover in days", "payment period". It
measures the average number of days spent before paying obligations to
suppliers. Unlike DSO and DIO, the longer the DPO the better (as explained
above).
7.
Operating
Cycle = Days Inventory Outstanding + Days Sales Outstanding
Measures the number of
days a company makes 1 complete operating cycle, i.e. purchase merchandise,
sell them, and collect the amount due. A shorter operating cycle means that the
company generates sales and collects cash faster.
8.
Cash
Conversion Cycle = Operating Cycle - Days Payable Outstanding
CCC measures how fast
a company converts cash into more cash. It represents the number of days a
company pays for purchases, sells them, and collects the
amount due. Generally, like operating cycle, the shorter the CCC the better.
9.
Total
Asset Turnover = Net Sales / Average Total Assets
Measures overall
efficiency of a company in generating sales using its assets. The formula is
similar to ROA, except that net sales is used instead of net income.
Leverage Ratios
1.
Debt
Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Assets
Measures the portion
of company assets that is financed by debt (obligations to third parties). Debt
ratio can also be computed using the formula: 1 minus Equity Ratio.
2.
Equity
Ratio = Total Equity / Total Assets
Determines the portion
of total assets provided by equity (i.e. owners' contributions and the
company's accumulated profits). Equity ratio can also be computed using the
formula: 1 minus Debt Ratio.
The reciprocal of
equity ratio is known as equity multiplier, which is equal to total
assets divided by total equity.
3.
Debt-Equity
Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Equity
Evaluates the capital
structure of a company. A D/E ratio of more than 1 implies that the company is
a leveraged firm; less than 1 implies that it is a conservative one.
4.
Times
Interest Earned = EBIT / Interest Expense
Measures the number of
times interest expense is converted to income, and if the company can pay its
interest expense using the profits generated. EBIT is earnings before interest
and taxes.
Valuation and Growth Ratios
1.
Earnings
per Share = ( Net Income - Preferred Dividends ) / Average Common Shares
Outstanding
EPS shows the rate of
earnings per share of common stock. Preferred dividends is deducted from net
income to get the earnings available to common stockholders.
2.
Price-Earnings
Ratio = Market Price per Share / Earnings per Share
Used to evaluate if a
stock is over- or under-priced. A relatively low P/E ratio could
indicate that the company is under-priced. Conversely, investors expect high
growth rate from companies with high P/E ratio.
3.
Dividend
Pay-out Ratio = Dividend per Share / Earnings per Share
Determines the portion
of net income that is distributed to owners. Not all income is distributed
since a significant portion is retained for the next year's operations.
4.
Dividend
Yield Ratio = Dividend per Share / Market Price per Share
Measures the
percentage of return through dividends when compared to the price paid for the
stock. A high yield is attractive to investors who are after dividends rather
than long-term capital appreciation.
5.
Book
Value per Share = Common SHE / Average Common Shares
Indicates the value of
stock based on historical cost. The value of common shareholders' equity in the
books of the company is divided by the average common shares outstanding.
Conclusion
Here's a tip. When
computing for a ratio that involves an income statement item and a balance
sheet item, make sure to average the balance sheet item. This is because the
income statement item pertains to a whole period's activity. The balance sheet
item should then reflect the whole period as well; that's why we average.
There are other
financial ratios in addition those listed above. The ones listed here are the
most common ratios used in evaluating a business. In interpreting the ratios,
it is better to have a basis for comparison, such as historical ratios and
industry standards.