Classification on the Basis of Financial Aspects

Ratios can be further classified based on their functional aspects as discussed below.

Liquidity Ratios

Liquidity ratios are used to find out the short-term paying capacity of a firm, to comment short term solvency of the firm, or to meet its current liabilities. Similarly, turnover ratios are calculated to know the efficiency of liquid resources of the firm, Accounts Receivable (Debtors) Turnover Ratio and Accounts Payable (Creditors).

Long-Term Solvency and Leverage Ratios

Debt equity ratio and interest coverage ratio are calculated to know the efficiency of a firm to pay long-term debts and to meet interest costs. Leverage ratios are calculated to know the proportion of debt and equity in the financing of a firm.

Activity Ratios

Activity ratios are also called turnover ratios. Activity ratios measure the efficiency with which the resources of a firm are employed.

Profitability Ratios

The results of business operations can be calculated through profitability ratios. These ratios can also be used to know the overall performance and effectiveness of a firm. Two types of profitability ratios are calculated in relation to sales and investments.

FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF RATIOS

Liquidity Ratios

Long-Term Solvency and Leverage Ratios

Activity Ratios Asset Management Ratios

Profit Abilities Ratios

(A)

      Current Ratio

      Liquid Ratio

      Absolute Liquid or Cash Ratios

      Interval Measure

(B)

      Debtors Turnover Ratio

      Creditor Turnover Ratio

      Inventory Turnover Ratio

      Debt/Equity Ratio

      Debt to total Capital Ratio

      Interest Coverage Ratio

      Cash Flow/ Debt

      Capital Gearing

      Inventory Turnover Ratio

      Debtors Turnover Ratio

      Fixed Assets Turnover Ratio

      Total Assets Turnover Ratio

      Working Capital Turnover Ratio

      Payable Turnover Ratio

      Capital Employed Turnover Ratio

(A) In relation to sales

      Gross Profit Ratio

      Operating Ratio

      Operating Ratio

      Operative Profit Ratio

      Net Profit Ratio

      Expenses Ratio

(B) In relation to Investments

      Return on Investment

      Return on Capital

      Return on Equity

      Return on Total

      Resources

      Earnings per Share

      Price Earnings Ratio