لغة أجنبية متخصصة 2

Financial ratios are essential tools in accounting and financial analysis, providing a quantitative basis for evaluating a company’s performance and financial health. By comparing various figures from a company’s financial statements, such as the balance sheet and income statement, these ratios offer insights into areas like liquidity, profitability, efficiency, and leverage. Financial ratios are widely used by managers, investors, creditors, and analysts to assess strengths and weaknesses, benchmark against industry peers, and monitor trends over time5613.

There are several key categories of financial ratios, each serving a specific analytical purpose. Liquidity ratios, such as the current ratio and quick ratio, measure a company’s ability to meet its short-term obligations using its most liquid assets. Profitability ratios, including gross profit margin and return on equity, evaluate how effectively a company generates profit relative to sales, assets, or shareholders’ equity. Leverage ratios, like the debt-to-equity ratio, assess the extent to which a company is financed by debt compared to equity, providing insight into financial risk and capital structure. Efficiency ratios, such as inventory turnover and asset turnover, indicate how well a company utilizes its assets to generate revenue269.

The interpretation of financial ratios is context-dependent and most meaningful when compared to industry standards, historical performance, or competitor benchmarks. For example, a high current ratio may indicate strong liquidity but could also suggest inefficient use of resources if excessively high. Similarly, profitability ratios can reveal operational strengths or weaknesses, while leverage ratios help stakeholders understand a company’s risk profile. Ultimately, financial ratios are indispensable for informed decision-making, enabling stakeholders to identify trends, spot potential issues, and make strategic choices for business growth and sustainability378.