Current Ratio – Formula, Meaning, Assumptions and Interpretations
The current ratio is the most popularly used metric to gauge the short term solvency of a company. This article provides the details about this ratio. Formula Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities Meaning Current ratio measures the current assets of the company in comparison to its current liabilities. This means that the…
What are Common Size Statements ?
Common size statements are not financial ratios. Rather they are a way of presenting financial statements that makes them more suitable for analysis. However, analysts always use them in conjunction with ratio analysis. In fact, financial analysts use common size statements as the starting point to help them dig deeper. Common size statements tell them…
Cash Ratio – Meaning, Formula and Assumptions
The cash ratio is limited in its usefulness to investors and financial analysts. It is the least popular of the liquidity ratios and is used only when the company under question is under absolute duress. Only in desperate circumstances do situations arise where the company is not able to meet its short term obligations by…
Most investors do not invest directly in the company i.e. they are not promoters of the company. Rather they invest in the company through the stock market. This means that they buy shares at a certain value and make a profit only when the price of the shares go up or they get regular dividends from their investments or a combination of both. This is the reason why investors are particularly interested in how the current share price of the company compares with its fundamentals. Market related ratios help investors use the numbers stated on the balance sheet to better their understanding of the same.
Market related ratios compare the current stock price of the company which is being quoted on the stock exchange to various balance sheet, income statement and cash flow items. One component of all market related ratios is the current stock price.
It is important to understand that the quoted stock price is not the actual price of the share. The stock price just means the price that you are paying to obtain a fraction of the earnings of the company. So if you are buying 1 share at USD 10 and there are 100 shares, you own 1% of the company. This 1% ownership means you get 1% of the profit, which in our case is let’s say USD 2. Hence the actual price you are paying is USD 10 to buy a future recurring profit stream of USD 2 per share. Of course these profits subject to risks and that is what makes investing challenging.
Since the quoted stock price is not the actual price, market related ratios offer a window to analysts using which they can gauge whether a stock is over or under valued and then act accordingly.
Article Written by
Himanshu Juneja, the founder of Management Study Guide (MSG), is a commerce graduate from Delhi University and an MBA holder from the esteemed Institute of Management Technology (IMT). He has always been someone deeply rooted in academic excellence and driven by a relentless desire to create value. Recently, he was honored with the “Most Aspiring Entrepreneur and Management Coach of 2025 (Blindwink Awards 2025)” award, a testament to his hard work, vision, and the value MSG continues to deliver to the global community.
Article Written by
Himanshu Juneja, the founder of Management Study Guide (MSG), is a commerce graduate from Delhi University and an MBA holder from the esteemed Institute of Management Technology (IMT). He has always been someone deeply rooted in academic excellence and driven by a relentless desire to create value. Recently, he was honored with the “Most Aspiring Entrepreneur and Management Coach of 2025 (Blindwink Awards 2025)” award, a testament to his hard work, vision, and the value MSG continues to deliver to the global community.
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