Definition
A mathematical comparison of two or more figures from a company’s financial statements, used to quickly assess its financial health and performance.
Example
Example 1:
A financial analyst reviewing Access Bank’s annual report calculates key accounting ratios like return on equity and loan-to-deposit ratio, giving him a quick, clear picture of the bank’s profitability and financial strength without reading every line of the accounts.
Example 2:
Before investing in Apple, a Wall Street analyst calculates several accounting ratios including profit margin and return on capital employed, to compare Apple’s financial performance against Microsoft and determine which stock offers better value.
Category