Financial Ratios: The Magic Numbers of Business

Remember how we learned about the Balance Sheet and Income Statement? Well, today we’re going to learn about some super cool math tricks called financial ratios. These are like magic spells that can tell us a lot about how well a business is doing. Let’s dive in!

What are Financial Ratios?

Financial ratios are special calculations that use numbers from the Balance Sheet and Income Statement. They’re like secret codes that can tell us important things about a business, such as:

  1. Is it making money?
  2. Can it pay its bills?
  3. Is it using its resources wisely?

Why are Financial Ratios Important?

  1. They’re Easy to Understand: Ratios turn big, complicated numbers into simple percentages or comparisons.
  2. They Help Make Decisions: By looking at ratios, business owners can decide if they need to make changes.
  3. They Allow Comparisons: Ratios help us compare different businesses or see how a business changes over time.

Types of Financial Ratios

There are different types of ratios that tell us different things about a business. Let’s look at a few:

1. Profitability Ratios: Are We Making Money?

				
					Profit Margin = (Profit / Revenue) x 100
				
			

This tells us what percentage of the money a business earns becomes profit.

Example: If your lemonade stand earns $100 and your profit is $20, your profit margin is: (20 / 100) x 100 = 20%

This means 20% of the money you earn becomes profit. Not bad!

2. Liquidity Ratios: Can We Pay Our Bills?

				
					Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities
				
			

This tells us if a business has enough stuff it can quickly turn into cash to pay its bills.

Example: If your lemonade stand has $50 in cash and $10 in lemons (current assets = $60), and you owe $30 for cups (current liabilities), your current ratio is: 60 / 30 = 2

This means you have twice as much in current assets as you owe in the short term. That’s good!

3. It's Part of Everyday Life

				
					Inventory Turnover = Cost of Goods Sold / Average Inventory
				
			

This tells us how quickly a business is selling its inventory.

Example: If your lemonade stand’s cost of goods sold for the year is $500, and your average inventory is $50, your inventory turnover is: 500 / 50 = 10

This means you’re selling out your inventory 10 times a year. The higher this number, the better!

Using Financial Ratios: A Lemonade Stand Story

Let’s imagine you and your friend both have lemonade stands. Here’s how you might use ratios to compare your businesses:

Your Stand:

  • Revenue: $100
  • Profit: $20
  • Current Assets: $60
  • Current Liabilities: $30
DALL·E 2024-08-27 20.41.57 - An icon with a similar color scheme and style to the previous images, representing 'The Lemonade Stand.' The icon features stylized elements like a le

Your Friend’s Stand:

  • Revenue: $80
  • Profit: $10
  • Current Assets: $40
DALL·E 2024-09-16 13.52.38 - An icon representing 'A Popular Lemonade Stand with a Catchy Sign,' featuring a brightly colored and stylized lemonade stand. The stand has a cheerful

Let’s calculate some ratios:

  1. Profit Margin:
    • Your Stand: (20 / 100) x 100 = 20%
    • Friend’s Stand: (10 / 80) x 100 = 12.5%

    You’re keeping more of your revenue as profit. Good job!

  2. Current Ratio:
    • Your Stand: 60 / 30 = 2
    • Friend’s Stand: 40 / 30 = 1.33

    You both can pay your bills, but you have a bit more cushion.

By using these ratios, you can see that your stand is doing a bit better in both making profit and having cash available to pay bills.

Think About It!

  • Can you think of other ratios that might be useful for a business?
  • Why do you think it’s important to compare ratios over time?
  • How might different types of businesses have different “good” ratios?

Remember, financial ratios are like secret codes that can tell us a lot about a business. By understanding these ratios, you’re becoming a true business detective!

Song: Ratio Magic

Verse 1:
Step right up to the business show
Where numbers dance and ratios glow
Balance sheets and income stats
Turn into magic at the drop of a hat
Pre-Chorus:
Divide this, multiply that
Financial wizardry, tip your hat
Percentages and fractions fly
Ratio Magic, let’s give it a try
Chorus:
Ratio Magic, it’s easy to see
How well your business is meant to be
Profitability, liquidity too
Ratio Magic, it’s all up to you
(Interlude)
Profit margin, listen up now
Profit over revenue, here’s how
Multiply by one hundred, don’t you frown
That’s the percentage you’ve earned in town
Verse 2:
Current assets, current debt
Divide them quick, no sweat
Inventory turnover, spin it fast
See how long your stock will last
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
(Interlude)

Current ratio, pay attention please
Current assets over liabilities
Greater than one, you’re doing fine
Less than that, realign
Bridge:
Compare your stand to your friend’s
See whose lemonade business transcends
Numbers tell stories, if you know how to read
Ratio Magic is all you need
(Chorus)
Outro:

Ratio Magic, now you know
How to make your numbers show
The health and wealth of your business dreams
It’s easier than it seems!