Use of financial ratios in evaluating companies Essay Example for Free

Use of pecuniary ratios in evaluating companies EssayUse of fiscal ratios in evaluating companiesIntroduction monetary ratios be the indicators used by financial analyst to determine the general military capability of a trustworthy organization. They are also known as economic ratios, are obtained in financial statements, and are relative to figures of two distinct periods. These ratios equalise the solicitude organizations are taking inwardly a specified period. They will in that respectfore show the strengths and weaknesses in the firms in relation to others or a comparison between two timelines. These ratios are important to the shareholders as they are able to know the heed a phoner is going by the shift in its share. In addition, the managers depend on them to know where they are leading the organizations. Some of the main financial statements where these ratios are gotten fro take on the balance sheet and the statement of cash flows. Easy Jet Company is on e of the companies that maintains its financial ratios and has bene assureed a lot. Although these ratios have many useful benefits in evaluating the performance and management of companies, they also have many limitations. Aspects of financial ratios that can be used include the liquidity ratio, which is the ability of an organization to pay the expenditures that are for a short period. Profitability ratios show the tally of dollars earned per sale of one item. Others include activity ratio, which indicates whether the alliance is capable of managing its total assets. The financial leverage ratio on the other hand shows the ability of the company meeting long term goals while shareholder ratio relates to amount of shares as per the memory. Finally, the return on investment ratio relates the amount of profit as per the assets used. Easy Jet Company uses these ratios and has benefits and limitations as discussed below. Financial ratios have an advantage in comparing diff erent companies in the merchandise. They enable the companies to be kept together non keeping into consideration such factors as capital amount, amount of gross revenue and the securities industry control. This is because the ratios do not depend much on the amount of starting but the rate of change of that amount in relation to other companies or time (Troy, 2008). They will tell the ability of a certain business to be able to pay its expenditure and probability of making a profit. Companies may, for example, boast of a high level of capital compared with other small ones, but when analysis is done from a purview of rate of stock turnover. This may prove the smaller company is efficiently run. They therefore help in the comparison and the managers will be able to collect any problem that may be there and compete favorably. They also help in analyzing a certain line of industries and upcoming new companies to imagine the industries they want to venture in. The ratios wil l help also to show fast growing industries and advise young entrepreneurs accordingly. Small companies will also be able to gauge themselves on their relevance in the market due to their contribution compared to the big ones. According to Weygandt (1996), financial ratios also enable the shareholders and analysts to analyze stock valuation. Investors in this area will be able to gauge on the company worth investing in and those to avoid completely. This knowledge helps investors in investing their money where there is a likelihood of making a profit. The ratios will help the companies in performance and planning. To attract lenders and investors, companies may prepare a detailed sketch and impel them with the capability of the company. Managers are also motivated to work hard since the ratios will be seen by many and would expose their weaknesses. On the other hand, the ratios have limitations. Many companies deal with different products in the market and comparing them dire ctly may not be an effective way of showing the success or failure of a business. Some companies enjoy low number of days at the rate of stock turnover due to a certain season. Comparing its ratios with off-season will definitely show a disconfirming trend, which should not show someone being responsible for it. Comparing it with others during the high season will convince shareholders that the company is making progress only to realize it was due to seasonal product. Using financial ratios to compare companies leads to misleading information to the managers and the investors. Due to the use of different environmental, cultural and structure of the market, financial ratios are not a good bank note of success or failure of a company. The ratios are affected by the level of swelling. Comparing a companys financial ratio of a year without inflation with another year with high levels of inflation will not give a good result. The sales will be high, but the level of profit decrea ses, showing a negative trend which differently is not the case. This may cause loss of jobs and investors. The company may at last collapse not because of poor management but the financial ratios. There may also be a incident where the ratios used are a mixture of bad and good ones making it difficult to know the position of the company. Some companies operate departments in different industries. It therefore becomes difficult to come up with average ratios to measure the performance of the company. If these ratios are used well the results are insightful, but dangerous where when used mechanically. According to Ablin, et al (2013), Easy Jets payments to the employees increase from 476m in 2012 to 517m in the year 2013. This indicates an increase of 8% an recital that the companys return on investment ratio has improved. This is marked by an increase from 317m to 478m a 51% increase in the total profit before tax which indicates separate strategies have been used. This inc ludes the increase in the rate of income per seat, offset by the use of forward bookings and the purchase of extra A320 aircraft. Earnings per share increased 2013 as compared to 2012 with earnings per share increase from 62.5 to 101.3 for basic and 61.7 to 100.0 for diluted increasing the shareholder ratio. The executive directors are employed and paid directly by the Easy jet flight path companys revenue. Return on capital increased with the onset of 2013 from 2012. The rate changed from 11.3% to 17.4% indicating growth in the company. This is attributed to increase in the number of leased aircrafts from 26% in 2012 to 33% in 2013 (Easy Jet, 2013). On whitethorn 2013, Easy jet entered into an agreement with Flybe for the exchange of some flying right in the airport of Gatwick. The shareholders O.K. the deal and on August the same year, $7 zillion was paid. This made the operations of the company effective, resulting in the increase in the return on capital. This is furthe r explained by the shareholders decision to enter into a compact with Airbus in July 2013. In Easy Jet Switzerland S.A, the company has 49% shares and plans to own the remaining 51% by 2022. Upgrading by the companys management from a 156 seater A319 aircraft to A320 results to a saving in the cost of a seat by between 8% and 7%. There is also another cause of increased savings in the development and movement from 180 seat A320 to 180 new generation modern aircraft. This cause further 4% to 5% savings per seat. This has made the company to continue offering go to the ever-increasing number of customers as the company. There has also been the development where the company has changed in reducing its cash on deposit. This has increased the amount of cash that the company holds in liquid following the release of the 130 million previously held.Conclusion Financial ratios play an important role in determining the direction a company is taking. Like a driver who drives a veh icle, managers depend mostly on these ratios to determine the direction as drivers are heading the company. The companies are able to compare their performance in the market with others politeness of these ratios. The ratios also have a role in enabling the investors and shareholders determine on which company is fit for them to invest. Similarly, they have drawbacks in that they do not reflect the true picture of a companys position when there is inflation in the country in addition to company that deals with many departments within different lines of production. Easy Jet Company has successfully used these ratios effectively and has developed to be an comminuted company competing effectively with others. It is therefore a successful company.ReferenceAblin et al (2013). Easy jet plc (1st ed.). Switzerland green Communications.Troy, L. (2008). Almanac of business and industrial financial ratios.Chicago, IL CCH.Weygandt, J. J., Kieso, D. E., Kell, W. G. (1996). Accounting Principle s (4th ed.). New YorkEasy Jet. (2013). easyJet plc Annual line and accounts. Easy Jet plcSource document