What is Ratio Analysis?
Ratio analysis is a quantitative method of gaining insight into a company’s liquidity, operational efficiency, and profitability by studying its financial statements such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. This form of financial analysis is based on pulling relevant numbers from the financial statements and calculating ratios from them to assess a company’s financial health.
Uses of Ratio Analysis
Investment Decisions
Investors use ratio analysis to make decisions about what stocks to buy. By comparing the financial ratios of different companies, investors can decide which stocks offer the best value.
Company Performance
Companies use ratio analysis to track their performance over time. This can help them identify trends, good or bad, and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Credit Lending Decisions
Banks and other lenders use ratio analysis to decide whether to lend money to a business. If a company’s ratios show that it is in poor financial health, the lender may decide not to approve the loan.
How Ratio Analysis Works
Ratio analysis works by comparing different numbers from a company’s financial statements. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how it works:
- Identify the numbers you need from the financial statements.
- Calculate the ratios. There are many different ratios you can calculate, including profitability ratios, liquidity ratios, and solvency ratios.
- Compare the ratios. You can compare the ratios to previous years, to other companies, or to industry averages.
- Analyze the ratios. This is where you interpret what the ratios mean. For example, a high current ratio could mean that a company is in a strong financial position.
Types of Ratio Analysis
There are several types of ratio analysis that focus on different aspects of a company’s financial health. These include:
- Liquidity Ratios: These ratios measure a company’s ability to pay off its short-term liabilities as they come due.
- Profitability Ratios: These ratios measure a company’s ability to generate profits.
- Solvency Ratios: These ratios measure a company’s ability to meet its long-term obligations.
- Efficiency Ratios: These ratios measure how well a company uses its assets and manages its liabilities.
Limitations of Ratio Analysis
While ratio analysis is a powerful tool, it does have some limitations. For example, it is based on financial statement information, which is historical and may not reflect a company’s current condition. Additionally, ratio analysis may not be useful for comparing companies in different industries, as industry norms can vary widely. Despite these limitations, ratio analysis is a widely used tool in financial analysis and can provide valuable insights into a company’s financial health.