Fixed Asset Turnover (FAT) is a financial ratio that measures a company’s efficiency in using its fixed assets to generate revenue. It’s the company’s net sales divided by the value of its fixed assets. The ratio shows as to how much of the revenue is generated for each dollar invested in fixed assets. 

Fixed asset turnover ratio formula

The formula for calculating the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio is as follows:  

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = Net Sales / Average Fixed Assets 

Where, Net Sales = Total Revenue – Sales Returns and Allowances – Discounts Average Fixed Assets = (Beginning Fixed Assets + Ending Fixed Assets) / 2  

The net sales figure represents the revenue generated by the company after adjusting for sales returns, allowances, and discounts. The average fixed assets figure is calculated by adding the beginning and ending fixed asset balances for a specific period and dividing the sum by two.  

Explained with Example

Let’s take an example to illustrate how to calculate the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio:  

Suppose Company XYZ has net sales of $500,000 for the year ending December 31, 2022. The year’s beginning and ending fixed asset balances are $1,000,000 and $1,200,000, respectively.  

First, we need to calculate the average fixed assets: Average Fixed Assets = (Beginning Fixed Assets + Ending Fixed Assets) / 2 = ($1,000,000 + $1,200,000) / 2 = $1,100,000  

Next, we can calculate the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio: Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = Net Sales / Average Fixed Assets = $500,000 / $1,100,000 = 0.45  

This means that Company XYZ generates 45 cents in net sales for every dollar invested in fixed assets. A higher Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio indicates that a company is making more efficient use of its fixed assets to generate revenue.  

Tip to Remember

A higher Fixed Asset Turnover indicates that a company is generating more revenue per dollar invested in fixed assets, which is a sign of efficiency. A lower Fixed Asset Turnover means that a company is generating less revenue from its fixed assets, which could indicate that they are not being used effectively or that the company needs to invest more in fixed assets.  

It’s important to note that Fixed Asset Turnover varies significantly across industries and companies, so it’s best to compare the ratio to other companies in the same industry to determine if the company is performing well.  

Limitations of Using the Asset Turnover Ratio 

Here are some of the limitations of using the asset turnover ratio:  

Limited Comparability

Asset turnover ratios can be difficult to compare between companies, as different industries and business models can result in significantly different asset utilization rates. For example, a manufacturing company that requires a lot of fixed assets may have a lower asset turnover ratio than a software company that requires very few physical assets.  

Seasonality

Some businesses have significant seasonality that can affect their asset turnover ratios. For example, a retailer that generates most of its revenue during the holiday season may have a high asset turnover ratio but a lower ratio during the rest of the year.  

Depreciation 

Asset turnover ratios do not account for the impact of depreciation on a company’s assets. As assets age, they may become less efficient or productive, negatively impacting a company’s revenue generation. However, since depreciation is a non-cash expense, it is not reflected in the asset turnover ratio.  

Leasing

Companies that lease their assets may have a higher asset turnover ratio than companies that own their assets outright. This is because the leased assets do not appear on the company’s balance sheet, making it appear that the company is generating more revenue than its assets.  

Incomplete Picture

While the asset turnover ratio can provide insights into a company’s operational efficiency, it must provide a complete picture of its financial health. For example, a company with a high asset turnover ratio may generate a lot of revenue, but it may only be a good investment if it is profitable.  

How Good are the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratios to Investors?

The fixed asset turnover ratio can be useful to investors as it can indicate a company’s operational efficiency and ability to generate profits from its fixed assets. A high ratio indicates that the company generates significant revenue per dollar invested in fixed assets, which can be a positive sign for investors. Conversely, a low ratio may indicate that the company is not using its fixed assets most efficiently, which could be a warning sign for investors.  

However, it is important to note that the fixed asset turnover ratio should not be used in isolation to make investment decisions. It should be considered along with other financial metrics and qualitative factors such as the industry and market conditions, company management, and competitive position.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio is an essential metric for investors and analysts to evaluate a company’s performance and efficient utilization of its fixed assets to generate revenue. The fixed asset turnover ratio can give investors useful insights into a company’s operational efficiency and ability to generate profits from its fixed assets. Still, it should be used with other information to make informed investment decisions.  

In conclusion, while the asset turnover ratio can be a useful tool for investors and analysts, it is important to understand its limitations and use it with other financial metrics to understand a company’s financial performance comprehensively. 

Also Read: What Does IRS Say About Depreciable & Non-Depreciable Assets

Wajiha Danish

Wajiha Danish is the Director at Monily, overseeing financial strategies and operations for small and medium businesses. She has over 18 years of experience, including her role as Controller at HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America. Wajiha's background includes significant roles at Pakistan Petroleum Limited and A.F. Ferguson & Co. (PwC Pakistan). She is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) and Certified General Accountant (CGA) with expertise in financial management and project finance.