Current Ratio Meaning Interpretation Formula Calculate

Current Ratio Meaning

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Current Ratio Formula

Current Ratio Formula = Current Assets / Current Liablities.

If, for a company, current assets are $200 million and current liability is $100 million, then the ratio will be = $200/$100 = 2.0.

Interpretation of Current Ratios

If Current Assets > Current Liabilities, then Ratio is greater than 1.0 -> a desirable situation to be in.If Current Assets = Current Liabilities, then Ratio is equal to 1.0 -> Current Assets are just enough to pay down the short term obligations.If Current Assets < Current Liabilities, then Ratio is less than 1.0 -> a problem situation at hand as the company does not have enough to pay for its short term obligations.

Current Ratio Example

Which of the following companies is better positioned to pay its short-term debt?

From the above table, it is pretty clear that company C has $2.22 of Current Assets for each $1.0 of its liabilities. Company C is more liquid and is better positioned to pay off its liabilities.

However, please note that we must investigate further if our conclusion is true.

Let me now give you a further breakup of Current Assets, and we will try and answer the same question again.

Please accept – The devil is in the details :-)

Company C has all of its current assets like inventory. For paying the short-term debt, company C will have to move the inventory into sales and receive cash from customers. Inventory takes time to be converted to cash. The typical flow will be Raw Material inventory -> WIP InventoryWIP InventoryWIP inventory (Work-in-Progress) are goods which are in different stages of production. WIP inventory includes materials released from the inventory for the process but not yet completed. The accounting system accounts for the semi-finished goods in this category.read more -> Finished goods Inventory -> Sales Process takes place -> cash is received. This cycle may take a longer time. As inventory is less than receivables or cash, the calculated current ratio of 2.22x does not look too great this time.

Company A, however, has all of its current assets as Receivables. Therefore, company A will have to recover this amount from its customers to pay off the short-term debt. Therefore, there is a certain risk associated with non-payments of receivables.

However, if you look at company B now, it has all cash in its current assets. Therefore, even though its ratio is 1.45x, strictly from the short-term debt repayment perspective, it is best placed as it can immediately pay off its short-term debt.

Colgate’s Current Ratio

The current ratio is calculated as the current assets of Colgate divided by the current liability of Colgate. For example, in 2011, Current Assets were $4,402 million, and Current Liability was $3,716 million.

= 4,402/3,716 = 1.18x

Likewise, we calculate the Current Ratio for all other years.

The following observations can be made with regards to Colgate Ratios –

This ratio increased from 1.00x in 2010 to 1.22x in the year 2012.

The primary reason for this increase is built-up of cash and cash equivalentsCash And Cash EquivalentsCash and Cash Equivalents are assets that are short-term and highly liquid investments that can be readily converted into cash and have a low risk of price fluctuation. Cash and paper money, US Treasury bills, undeposited receipts, and Money Market funds are its examples. They are normally found as a line item on the top of the balance sheet asset. read more and other assets from 2010 to 2012. In addition, we saw that the current liabilities were more or less stagnant at around $3,700 million for these three years.We also note that its ratio dipped to 1.08x in 2013. The primary reason for this dip is the increase in the current portion of long term debtCurrent Portion Of Long Term DebtCurrent Portion of Long-Term Debt (CPLTD) is payable within the next year from the date of the balance sheet, and are separated from the long-term debt as they are to be paid within next year using the company’s cash flows or by utilizing its current assets.read more to $895 million, thereby increasing the current liabilities.

Seasonality & Current Ratio

It should not be analyzed in isolation for a specific period. Instead, we should closely observe this ratio over some time – whether the ratio is showing a steady increase or a decrease. However, in many cases, you will note that there is no such pattern. Instead, there is a clear pattern of seasonality in Current Ratios. Take, for example, Thomas Cook.

I have compiled below the total current assetsCurrent AssetsCurrent assets refer to those short-term assets which can be efficiently utilized for business operations, sold for immediate cash or liquidated within a year. It comprises inventory, cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, etc.read more and total current liabilities of Thomas Cook. You may note that this ratio of Thomas Cook tends to move up in the September Quarter.

Seasonality is normally seen in seasonal commodity-related businesses where raw materials like sugar, wheat, etc., are required. Such purchases are done annually, depending on availability, and are consumed throughout the year. Such purchases require higher investments (generally financed by debt), increasing the current asset side.

Automobile Sector Current Ratio

To give you an idea of sector ratios, I have picked up the US automobile sector.

Below is the list of US-listed automobile companies with high ratios.

Please note that a Higher ratio may not necessarily mean that they are in a better position. It could also be because of –

slow-moving stocks orlack of investment opportunities.Also, the receivables collection could also be slow.

Below is the list of US-listed automobile companies with low ratios.

If the ratio is low due to the following reasons, it is again undesirable:

Lack of sufficient funds to meet current obligations andA trading level beyond the capacity of the business.

Limitations

It does not focus on the breakup of Assets or Asset Quality. The example that we saw earlier, Company A (all receivables), B (all cash), and C (all inventory), provide different interpretations.This ratio in isolation does not mean anything. It does not provide an insight on product profitabilityProfitabilityProfitability refers to a company’s ability to generate revenue and maximize profit above its expenditure and operational costs. It is measured using specific ratios such as gross profit margin, EBITDA, and net profit margin. It aids investors in analyzing the company’s performance.read more etc.This ratio can be manipulated by management. An equal increase in both current assets and current liabilitiesCurrent Assets And Current LiabilitiesCurrent Liabilities are the payables which are likely to settled within twelve months of reporting. They’re usually salaries payable, expense payable, short term loans etc.read more would decrease the ratio, and likewise, an equal decrease in current assets and current liabilities would increase the ratio.

Current Ratio Meaning Interpretation Formula Calculate