Current Ratio

Finance

Quick Definition

Current Ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company’s ability to pay its short-term liabilities using its short-term assets.

Detailed Explanation

The Current Ratio helps assess whether a company has enough resources to meet its short-term obligations. It compares current assets (cash, inventory, receivables) with current liabilities (payables, short-term debt).

A higher ratio indicates better liquidity, while a very low ratio may signal financial stress.

Current Ratio Formula

👉 Current Ratio = Current Assets ÷ Current Liabilities

Interpretation

  • > 1: Company can meet short-term obligations
  • ≈ 2: Considered healthy (ideal in many cases)
  • < 1: Potential liquidity problem

Why Current Ratio Matters

  • Evaluates financial health
  • Helps investors and lenders assess risk
  • Indicates working capital efficiency

Limitations

  • Does not consider asset quality
  • High ratio may indicate inefficient asset use

Example

"If a company has ₹10 lakh in current assets and ₹5 lakh in current liabilities: 👉 Current Ratio = 10 ÷ 5 = 2 (healthy position)"

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