Acid-test ratio

Acid-test ratio

The acid-test ratio, or the quick ratio, is a financial term used to assess a company’s short-term liquidity and ability to meet its immediate economic issues. Investors and creditors often use this ratio to determine a firm’s capacity to pay off its current liabilities without depending on the sale of stock. By excluding stock from the calculation, the acid-test ratio offers a more conservative measure of a company’s liquidity position. Here, we will delve into the concept of the acid-test ratio, its formula, calculation, application, and limitations. 

What is the acid-test ratio?  

The acid-test ratio is a financial ratio used to measure an industry’s ability to settle its current liabilities with its most liquid assets, excluding stock. It is a more rigid measure of liquidity than the current ratio since the list can sometimes be difficult to sell quickly, especially in financial distress. The acid-test ratio provides insight into how well a company can cover its short-term obligations with readily available assets. 

Understanding the acid-test ratio  

The acid-test ratio is crucial for determining a company’s short-term liquidity condition, particularly in recessionary or financially challenging times. As it doesn’t include stock, it is a more cautious measure of liquidity than the current ratio. This exclusion is especially useful in sectors where the stock’s market value is subject to wide fluctuations or if stock turnover is delayed. 

The acid-test ratio offers a perception of a company’s capacity to manage unforeseen cash needs or emergencies by concentrating on the most liquid assets. Since a higher percentage of their assets may be quickly turned into cash without suffering large losses, businesses with a high acid-test ratio are often better positioned to withstand financial crises. 

For example, consider a retail company with substantial stock and slow stock turnover. The company might face difficulties selling its stock quickly during an economic downturn or decreased consumer spending. In such a situation, the acid-test ratio would reveal the company’s liquidity position by excluding the potentially illiquid stock. 

Another aspect that adds to the value of the acid-test ratio is its ability to highlight potential collection issues. While accounts receivable are included in the balance, it does not account for the timing of collections. Companies might show a strong acid-test ratio, indicating sufficient receivables, but if the collections are delayed or unreliable, it could lead to liquidity problems. 

Formula  

The formula for calculating the acid-test ratio is as follows: 

Acid-test ratio = (current assets – inventory) / current liabilities 

Where: 

Current assets = Total amount of a company’s assets that are anticipated to be turned into cash within a year. Cash, accounts receivable, cash equivalents, and other short-term investments fall under this category. 

Inventory = Market worth of the goods the firm has on hand for resale. 

Current liabilities = Company’s entire short-term debts and liabilities due within a year. Short-term loans, accounts payable, and other current obligations fall under this category. 

Calculating the ratio  

To determine the acid-test ratio, perform the following steps:  

• Step 1: Analyse the balance sheet of the firm to assess the worth of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and accounts receivable.  
• Step 2: Add together all the data from Step 1 to determine the total amount of liquid assets.  
• Step 3: Analyse the balance sheet of the firm to estimate the current liabilities’ worth.  
• Step 4: Subtract the current obligations (from Step 3) from the total liquid assets (from Step 2). 

Example  

Let’s consider an example to illustrate the calculation of the acid-test ratio: Company XYZ has the following financial information:  

Cash: US$10,000  

Cash Equivalents: US$5,000  

Marketable Securities: US$3,000  

Accounts Receivable: US$7,000  

Current Liabilities: US$10,000  

Acid-test ratio = (US$10,000 + US$5,000 + US$3,000 + US$7,000) / US$10,000  

Acid-test ratio = US$25,000 / US$10,000  

Acid-test ratio = 2.5  

In this example, company XYZ has an acid-test ratio of 2.5, indicating that for every US$1 of current liabilities, it has US$2.5 of easily accessible assets to cover those obligations. 

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