What is the current ratio?  

Are you familiar with the current ratio? It’s a financial metric that assesses a company’s ability to settle its immediate debts using its current assets, indicating its liquidity position. The current ratio is a financial ratio that measures a company’s ability to pay its short-term obligations. In simpler terms, it determines whether a company has enough assets to cover its debts due within a year. 

A high current ratio indicates that a company has enough assets to cover its current liabilities, generally considered a good sign of financial health. However, a very high current ratio may also indicate that a company needs to use its current assets efficiently and may be holding excess cash or inventory that is not generating returns.

On the other hand, a low current ratio may indicate that a company may have difficulty meeting its short-term obligations, which can lead to financial distress. However, a low current ratio indicates that a company effectively manages its working capital and invests in long-term growth opportunities.

What is the formula and calculation for the current ratio?  

The formula for calculating the current ratio is:  

Current ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities 

Let’s say a company has $200,000 in current assets and $100,000 in current liabilities. By using the current ratio formula, the calculation would be as follow:

Current ratio = $200,000 / $100,000  

Current Ratio = 2  

This means the company has $2 in current assets for every $1 of current liabilities. Generally, a current ratio of 1.5 or higher is considered good, indicating that the company can easily meet its short-term obligations.

To understand the current ratio in more detail, let’s break down the components of the formula:  

1. Current Assets

These assets are expected to be converted to cash or used up within one year. Examples of current assets include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, and prepaid expenses.  

2. Current Liabilities

These are obligations due within one year. Examples of current liabilities include accounts payable, salaries and wages payable, taxes payable, and short-term loans.  

How to interpret current ratio?  

A current ratio of 1 or higher is generally considered good, indicating that a company has enough assets to cover its current liabilities. If a company’s current ratio is less than 1, it may not be able to meet its short-term obligations, which could be a sign of financial distress.   

However, it is important to note that a high current ratio does not necessarily mean a company is financially healthy. It may indicate that a company is holding too much inventory or has too many receivables, which could indicate poor management.   

In addition to looking at the current ratio in isolation, it is important to compare it to the company’s historical performance and industry benchmarks to understand its financial position better.  

How does the current ratio change over time?  

The current ratio can change over time due to various factors, including changes in the company’s business operations, financial management, and external economic conditions. Here are some ways in which the current ratio can change over time:  

1. Changes in the company’s operations

If a company experiences an increase in sales or improves its inventory management, it may increase its current assets, which can increase the current ratio. Conversely, if a company experiences a decline in sales or experiences inventory write-downs, it may decrease its current assets, resulting in a lower current ratio.  

2. Changes in financial management

Suppose a company improves its cash management by collecting receivables faster or negotiating better payment terms with suppliers. In that case, it may increase its current assets, resulting in a higher current ratio. On the other hand, if a company takes on more short-term debt to finance its operations, it may increase its current liabilities, resulting in a lower current ratio.  

3. External economic conditions 

Changes in the economy can impact on a company’s current ratio. For example, during a recession, a company may experience a decline in sales, which can decrease its current assets and result in a lower current ratio. Additionally, if interest rates rise, a company’s cost of borrowing may increase, resulting in a higher current ratio as the company takes on less short-term debt.  

Current ratio vs. other liquidity ratios. similarity and difference  

The current ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company’s ability to pay its short-term debts and obligations. It is calculated by dividing a company’s assets by its liabilities. Other liquidity ratios include the quick ratio and the cash ratio.  

– The quick ratio is like the current ratio but is more conservative because it excludes inventory from current assets. It is calculated by dividing a company’s current assets minus inventory by its current liabilities.  

– The cash ratio is even more conservative because it only includes cash and cash equivalents in current assets. It is calculated by dividing a company’s cash and cash equivalents by its current liabilities.  

The main similarity between these liquidity ratios is that they all measure a company’s ability to meet its short-term obligations. However, the main difference between them is the level of conservatism in the calculation. The current ratio includes all current assets, including inventory, while the quick ratio only includes current assets that can be quickly converted into cash. The cash ratio is conservative because it only includes cash and cash equivalents.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, the current ratio is a vital financial metric providing valuable insights into a company’s liquidity and ability to meet its short-term obligations. It measures a firm’s ability to pay off its current liabilities using its current assets. A high current ratio indicates that the company can meet its short-term obligations, while a low current ratio implies that it may face difficulties paying off its debts. However, it’s important to note that the current ratio is just one of the many financial metrics that should be analyzed before making investment decisions. By understanding and interpreting the current ratio, investors can make informed decisions and evaluate a company’s financial health. 

Also Read: Understanding Good Liquidity And Its Ratios

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.