A free example of a financial ratio analysis template

You will find a financial ratio analysis template tailored to your project in our list of 200+ financial plans

All our financial plans do include a financial ratio analysis template.

How can you easily analyze your financial ratios without getting overwhelmed?

In this article, we provide a free tool to do so. If you're looking for something more tailored to your specific project, feel free to browse our list of financial plans, customized for over 200 different project types here.

We'll also address the following questions:

How can you determine your business's break-even point?
What are the most important financial ratios to monitor?
How should you interpret the current ratio?
What is a good profitability ratio for a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME)?
How can you simplify the analysis of financial ratios?
What is the ideal debt ratio for a growing business?
How does the inventory turnover ratio impact financial performance?

Here Are the Steps to Easily Analyze Your Financial Ratios

To skip all these steps, you can simply download a financial forecast tailored to your industry.

• 1. Gather Necessary Financial Data:

  Start by collecting all essential financial data for your business project. This includes projected revenue, costs of goods sold (COGS), operating expenses (such as salaries, rent, and marketing), and the initial investment required.

• 2. Calculate Gross Profit Margin:

  Determine your Gross Profit Margin by using the formula: (Revenue - COGS) / Revenue. This ratio helps you understand the percentage of revenue that exceeds the cost of goods sold, indicating the efficiency of your production process.

• 3. Calculate Operating Profit Margin:

  Next, calculate the Operating Profit Margin with the formula: (Revenue - COGS - Operating Expenses) / Revenue. This ratio shows the percentage of revenue left after covering both the cost of goods sold and operating expenses, reflecting the overall operational efficiency.

• 4. Determine Return on Investment (ROI):

  To assess the profitability of your initial investment, calculate the ROI using the formula: Net Profit / Initial Investment. Net Profit is found by subtracting COGS and Operating Expenses from Revenue. This ratio indicates how effectively your initial investment is being used to generate profit.

• 5. Break Down the Analysis:

  Focus on one financial ratio at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. By breaking down the analysis into specific steps, you can gain a clear and manageable understanding of your financial health.

• 6. Interpret the Results:

  Analyze the results of each ratio to understand the financial performance of your business project. A healthy Gross Profit Margin and a promising ROI indicate potential profitability and efficient use of the initial investment.

What Should Be Included in a Financial Ratio Analysis Template?

Here are the key elements that should be included, all of which you will find in our financial forecasts tailored to 200+ different business projects.

Element	Description	Purpose	Example Ratios
Liquidity Ratios	Measure the ability of a company to meet its short-term obligations.	Assess the company's short-term financial health and ability to pay off its current liabilities.	Current Ratio, Quick Ratio
Profitability Ratios	Evaluate a company's ability to generate profit relative to revenue, assets, equity, and other financial metrics.	Determine the company's ability to generate earnings compared to its expenses and other costs.	Net Profit Margin, Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE)
Leverage Ratios	Indicate the level of debt incurred by a business entity against its equity and assets.	Assess the company's financial structure and its ability to meet long-term obligations.	Debt to Equity Ratio, Interest Coverage Ratio
Efficiency Ratios	Measure how effectively a company uses its assets and liabilities to generate sales and maximize profits.	Evaluate the efficiency of a company's operations and management.	Inventory Turnover, Accounts Receivable Turnover
Market Ratios	Provide insights into the market perception of a company's stock and its future growth potential.	Help investors make decisions about buying, holding, or selling stock.	Earnings Per Share (EPS), Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio
Coverage Ratios	Assess a company's ability to service its debt and meet its financial obligations.	Evaluate the company's financial stability and risk of default.	Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
Growth Ratios	Measure a company's ability to grow its earnings, revenue, and dividends over time.	Assess the company's potential for future growth and expansion.	Revenue Growth Rate, Earnings Growth Rate

Our financial forecasts are comprehensive and will help you secure financing from the bank or investors.

Common Questions You May Have

Reading these articles might also interest you:
- How can I estimate the revenue from a new product launch?
- A free example of a capital expenditure budget
- How to create a working capital forecast?

What are the key financial ratios I should focus on initially?

Start by focusing on liquidity ratios like the Current Ratio and Quick Ratio to assess your short-term financial health.

Next, examine profitability ratios such as the Net Profit Margin and Return on Assets to understand your efficiency in generating profits.

Finally, consider leverage ratios like the Debt-to-Equity Ratio to evaluate your company's financial leverage and risk.

How often should I analyze my financial ratios?

It's advisable to analyze your financial ratios on a quarterly basis to stay updated on your financial health.

For more dynamic businesses, a monthly review can provide more timely insights and allow for quicker adjustments.

Annual reviews are also important for long-term strategic planning and comparison with industry benchmarks.

What is a good Current Ratio for a small business?

A Current Ratio of 1.5 to 2 is generally considered healthy for a small business, indicating that you have enough assets to cover your liabilities.

If the ratio is below 1, it may signal liquidity issues, while a ratio significantly above 2 could indicate inefficient use of assets.

Always compare your ratio with industry standards to get a more accurate assessment.

How can I simplify the calculation of financial ratios?

Use financial software or spreadsheet templates that automatically calculate ratios based on your input data.

Many accounting software packages offer built-in financial ratio analysis tools that can save you time and reduce errors.

Consider hiring a financial advisor or accountant to help set up these tools and interpret the results.

What is an acceptable Debt-to-Equity Ratio for a startup?

An acceptable Debt-to-Equity Ratio for a startup typically ranges from 1 to 1.5, indicating a balanced approach to financing through debt and equity.

A ratio higher than 2 may suggest that the company is over-leveraged and at higher financial risk.

However, this can vary by industry, so always compare with industry-specific benchmarks.

How do I interpret a low Net Profit Margin?

A low Net Profit Margin, typically below 5%, indicates that your company is not very efficient at converting revenue into profit.

This could be due to high operating costs, low pricing strategies, or inefficiencies in production.

Analyze your cost structure and revenue streams to identify areas for improvement.

What is a good Return on Assets (ROA) for my industry?

A good Return on Assets (ROA) varies by industry, but a general benchmark is around 5% to 10%.

Industries with high capital intensity, like manufacturing, may have lower ROAs, while service-based industries often have higher ROAs.

Always compare your ROA with industry averages to get a more accurate picture of your performance.