LibGuides: Business: Ratios

Ratios?

Ratios are used to measure the financial strengths and weaknesses of companies or industries.

Ratios are based on data found in balance sheets, income statements, and sometimes share prices.

The sources listed here will provide you with either company ratios or industry ratios.

Image Source: Katrina Tuliao. CC-BY-2.0. Wikimedia Commons.

RMA Annual Statement Studies
Industry ratios. Liquidity, coverage, leverage, operating, expense to sales ratios. Also provides industry financial information. Organized by NAICS. Print. Reference section, Bishop Library.

NetAdvantage This link opens in a new window
Company & industry ratios. For company ratios, do a company search. Within company information, choose financials or valuation. For select industry ratios, click on the markets tab, choose the industry, select key stats and ratios.
Mergent Online This link opens in a new window
Company and industry ratios. Allows you to compare companies, and export data into Excel--see directions to left.
Includes 30 years of historical stock prices, SEC filings, financials for 15 years "as reported".

Compiling comparison ratios from Mergent Online:

1. Under Company Search, type in your company's name.

2. Click on the company name to pen the profile.

3. Select the blue Report Builder tab.

4. Select Comparison Reports link (under blue tabs).

5. Choose Peer Comparison--NAIC, SIC, MIC, Worldwide, Target Country.

6. Select Comparison Reports (under blue tabs).

7. Choose Comparison Report (top 10, 25, etc).

8. Choose Report Type (List by Item, List by Company, Active Companies Only)

9. Click on the + by Ratios

10. Highlight, then move (with arrow >) each ratio you want into the Report Items box.

11. Click Include Average box if you want industry averages to be included.

12. Select years. Ctrl-click for multiple years.

13. Select a Format (excel, html, etc), Click Create Report.