Introduction: Profitability Ratios
The capacity of a business concern to earn profit can be termed as profitability. Thus, profit earning can be ascertained on the basis of the volume of profit margin of any activity and is calculated by subtracting costs from the total Revenue accruing to a firm during a particular period. The overall efficiency or performance of a business can be ascertained with the help of profitability ratios. Generally, a large number of ratios can also be put to implementation for determination of the profitability, as the same is in consonance with the sales or investments.
The important profitability ratios are discussed below:
- Gross Profit Ratio
- Operating Ratio
- Operating Profit Ratio
- Net Profit Ratio
- Return on Investment Ratio
- Return on Capital Employed Ratio
- Earning Per Share Ratio
- Dividend Payout Ratio
- Dividend Yield Ratio
- Price Earning Ratio
- Net Profit to Net worth Ratio
1. Gross Profit Ratio
Gross Profit Ratio is the formative component in relationship between gross profit and net sales. Higher
Gross Profit Ratio is a precursor to the business concern that the firm has higher profitability. It is also
reflective of the standard of performance of firm’s business apropos to its effectiveness.
Gross Profit Ratio = Gross Profit / Net Sales X 100 |
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Advantages
- The relationship between gross profit and net sales is adequately ascertained by it
- It reflects the efficiency and productivity of a firm
- This ratio highlights to the management, that a low gross profit ratio can be a precursor to the adverse purchasing and mark-up policies
- A low gross profit ratio also underlines the incapacitated state of the management to increase sales
2. Operating Ratio:
Operating Ratio measures the relationship between total operating expenses and sales. The total operating
expenses is the sum total of cost of goods sold, office and administrative expenses and selling and
distribution expenses. This ratio equips the firm with the ability to cover total operating expenses.
Operating Ratio = Operating Cost / Net Sales X 100 |
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3. Operating Profit Ratio:
It indicates the operational efficiency of the firm and is a measure of the firm’s ability to cover the total
operating expenses.
Operating Profit Ratio = Operating Profit / Net Sales X 100 |
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4. Net Profit Ratio
This ratio tells us the overall efficiency in operating the business. It is used to measure the relationship
between net profit and sales. It includes non-operating incomes and profits.
Net Profit Ratio = Net Profit after Tax / Net Sales X 100 |
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Advantages
- This is the best yardstick to gauge profitability and liquidity
- It aids in evaluation of overall operational efficiency of the business concern
- It facilitates better decision making ability
- It leverages the process of determination of the managerial efficiency to utilize a firm’s resources to generate income on its invested capital
- Net profit Ratio is an indispensable tool of investment evaluation
5. Return On Investment Ratio
This ratio measures a return on owner’s or shareholders’ investment. It establishes the relationship
between net profit after interest and taxes and the owner investment.
Return on Investment Ratio = Net Profit after Interest & Taxes / Shareholder fund or Investment X 100 |
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Advantages
- This ratio indicates the owner’s viewpoint pertaining to the success of the business
- It aids in measuring an income on the shareholders’ or proprietor’s investments
- This ratio equips the management with the important decisions making with respect to the business concern
- It facilitates in efficient handling of owner’s investment
6. Return on Capital Employed Ratio
It measures the relationship between profit and capital employed. Return means profits or net profits.
Capital employed means total investment made in the business.
Return on Capital Employed = Net Profit after Taxes/ Gross Capital Employed X 100 |
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7. Earning Per Ratio
It measures the earning capacity of the firm from the owners view and helps in determining the price of the
equity share in the market.
Earning Per Ratio = Net Profit after Tax and Preference Dividend / No of Equity Share |
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Advantages
- It measures the price of shares in the market
- It measures the capacity of the firm to pay dividend to its shareholders
- It is used as yardstick to measure the overall performance of the concern
8. Dividend Payout Ratio
It is the relationship between payment of dividend on equity share capital and the profits available
after meeting tax and preference dividend. Indication of the dividend policy, as incorporated by the top
management is underlined by this ratio. It highlights the utilization of divisible profit to pay dividend or
pertaining to the retention of both.
Dividend Payout Ratio = Equity Dividend / Net Profit after Tax & Preference Dividend X 100 |
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9. Dividend Yield Ratio
It is the relationship is established between dividend per share and market value per share. This ratio is a
major factor that determines the dividend income from the investor point of view.
Dividend Yield Ratio = Dividend Per Share / Market Value Per Share X 100 |
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10. Price Earning Ratio:
It highlights the earning per share reflected by market share. It establishes the relationship between the
market price of an equity share and the earning per equity share. It helps to find out whether the equity
shares of a company are undervalued or not. It is also useful in financial forecasting.
Price Earning Ratio = Market Price per Equity Share / Earning Per Share |
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11. Net Profit to Net Worth Ratio:
It measures the profit return on investment. It indicates the established relationship between net profit and
shareholders net worth.
Net Profit to Net Worth Ratio = Net Profit After Taxes / Shareholders Net Worth X 100 |
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Advantages
- It determines the incentive to owners.
- It measures the profit as well as net worth.
- It indicates the overall performance & effectiveness of the firm.
Profitability is the very essence of any business. What a pulse to a human being, Profitability is to a business.
It is the first vital sign of a business. Hence, Profitability ratios form an important part of financial analysis of
any firm. In our next post we’ll look at
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