Financial ratios can be used for comparison
• between two or more companies (ex: comparison between ICICI and HDFC Banks)
• between two or more industries (ex: comparison between the Banking and Auto industry)
• between different time-periods for the same company (ex: comparison on the results of the company in the current financial year and the previous year)
• between a single company and the industry performance
Ratios are generally meaningless unless we benchmark them against something else. Like say past performance or another company. Ratios of firms that operate in different industries, which face different risks, capital requirements, competition, customer demand etc can be very hard to compare.
Describe the four approaches to using financial ratios?
financial ratios
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In financial analysis the analyst compute financial ratios to determine the financial health of an financial institutoin rather than simply studying raw financial data.
composite ratios are those which are compared between atleast two financial statements .
Investors look at financial ratios to understand how businesses are performing. They use this information to determine whether they would like to invest or not.
Investors look at financial ratios to understand how businesses are performing. They use this information to determine whether they would like to invest or not.
Analyzing financial ratios
Solvency ratios are primarily used by creditors and investors to assess a company's long-term financial stability and ability to meet its debt obligations. Lenders, such as banks and bondholders, analyze these ratios to evaluate the risk of default before extending credit. Additionally, management and financial analysts utilize solvency ratios to make informed decisions about capital structure and financial strategy. Finally, regulatory bodies may also review these ratios to ensure compliance with financial standards.
financial ratios
Debt ratios are financial metrics used to evaluate a company's leverage and financial health by comparing its total debt to its total assets or equity. Common debt ratios include the debt-to-equity ratio, which measures the proportion of debt relative to shareholders' equity, and the debt-to-assets ratio, indicating the percentage of a company's assets financed by debt. These ratios help investors and analysts assess the risk associated with a company's capital structure and its ability to meet financial obligations. High debt ratios may signal increased financial risk, while lower ratios typically suggest a more stable financial position.
Financial ratios of all company's can be calculated based on their financial statements that would be declared during their quarterly result announcement. Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Statement of Cashflows, Statement of Earnings etc are some of the documents from which the information required for calculating these financial ratios can be picked up. Also, if the company is listed in the stock market, its current stock price too is used for calculating some of these ratios.