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1. Definition
Current ratio, also known as liquidity ratio and working capital ratio, shows the proportion
of current assets of a business in relation to its current liabilities.
2. Formula
Current Ratio
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
3. Explanation
Current ratio expresses the extent to which the current liabilities of a business (i.e. liabilities
due to be settled within 12 months) are covered by its current assets (i.e. assets expected to be
realized within 12 months). A current ratio of 2 would mean that current assets are sufficient
to cover for twice the amount of a company's short term liabilities.
4. Example
ABC PLC has the following assets and liabilities as at 31st December 2012:
$m
$m
75
75
150
25
50
25
100
200
100
60
160
Bank Loan
Deferred tax payable
50
25
75
Current Ratio
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
200
160
1.25
6. Industry standards
Current ratio must be analyzed in the context of the norms of a particular industry. What may
be considered normal in one industry may not be considered likewise in another sector.
Traditional manufacturing industries require significant working capital investment in
inventory, trade debtors, cash, etc, and therefore companies operating in such industries may
reasonably be expected to have current ratios of 2 or more.
However, with the advent of just in time management techniques, modern manufacturing
companies have managed to reduce the size of buffer inventory thereby leading to significant
reduction in working capital investment and hence lower current ratios.
In some industries, current ratio of lower than 1 might also be considered acceptable. This is
especially true of the retail sector which is dominated by giants such as Wal-Mart and Tesco.
This primarily stems from the fact that such retailers are able to negotiate long credit periods
with suppliers while offering little credit to customers leading to higher trade payables as
compared with trade receivables. Such retailers are also able to keep their own inventory
volumes to minimum through efficient supply chain management.
Current ratios of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc and Tesco PLC as per 2011 annual reports are 0.88
and 0.65 respectively.
7. Importance
Current ratio is the primary measure of a company's liquidity. Minimum levels of current ratio
are often defined in loan covenants to protect the interest of the lenders in the event of
deteriorating financial position of the borrowers. Financial regulations of various countries
also impose restrictions on financial institutions to lend credit facilities to potential borrowers
that have a current ratio which is lower than the defined limits.
- See more at: http://accounting-simplified.com/financial/ratioanalysis/current.html#example