FINANCIAL RATIOS, FORMULAS, AND INTERPRETATION

One key element in any financial analysis is the comparison of financial ratios. The usefulness of financial ratios is increased as individual ratios are compared with each other over time. For instance, an analysis that explains a change in the current ratio over the past two years will be more useful to the reader than an explanation of the variance between that company's current ratio and a published industry average current ratio. The use of financial ratios can be an excellent tool in financial analysis; however, mere comparison to industry averages may have limited value.

The primary benefit of financial ratio analysis lies in determining the cause of changes in ratios over time. Industry averages of various ratios can be useful as a beginning benchmark for comparison purposes and as an indication of industry competition. The interpretation of financial ratios provided is not intended to represent all possible interpretations and is only an example of how these ratios may be used. There may be other interpretations of these financial ratios.

PROFITABILITY RATIOS
Ratio Formula What It Means
Return on Assets Net Earnings Before Income Taxes ÷ Total Assets Indicates the profit generated by the total assets employed. A higher ratio reflects a more effective employment of company assets. This ratio is generally stated in terms of percentages (i.e., 10% return on assets).
Return on Equity Net Earnings Before Income Taxes ÷ Total Net Worth Indicates the profit generated by the net assets employed. This ratio reflects the stockholders' return on investment and is generally stated as a percentage. A very high ratio may indicate an undercapitalized situation or conversely, a very profitable company.
Times Interest Earned (Net Earnings + Income Taxes + Interest Expense) ÷ Interest Expense Indicates the company's ability to pay interest expense from operations. A low ratio may indicate an over-leveraged situation and a need for more permanent equity.
LEVERAGE RATIOS
Ratio Formula What It Means
Debt to Equity Total Liabilities ÷ Total Net Worth Indicates the relationship between creditors and owners. Generally, a ratio of three or lower is considered acceptable.
Revenue to Equity Revenue ÷ Total Net Worth Indicates the level of revenue being supported by each $1 of equity. Generally, a ratio of 15 or less is considered acceptable.
Asset Turnover Revenue ÷ Total Assets Indicates the level of revenue being supported by each $1 of assets. By reviewing the trend of this ratio, one can determine the effectiveness of asset expansion
Fixed Asset Ratio Net Fixed Assets ÷ Total Net Worth Indicates the level of stockholders' equity invested in net fixed assets. A higher ratio may indicate a lack of funds for current operations. Usually, a low ratio indicates a more favorable liquidity position; however, off balance sheet financing of equipment may offset this apparent positive indication.
Equity to General and Administrative Expenses Total Net Worth ÷ General and Administrative Expenses Indicates the level of overhead in relation to net worth. Generally, a ratio of 1.0 or more is considered acceptable.
Underbillings to Equity (Unbilled Work + Cost in Excess) ÷ Total Net Worth Indicates the level of unbilled contract volume being financed by the stockholders. Usually stated as a percentage, a ratio of 30% or less is considered acceptable
Backlog to Equity Backlog ÷ Total Net Worth Indicates the relationship of signed or committed work to total stockholders' equity. Generally, a ratio of 20 or less is considered acceptable. A higher ratio may indicate the need for additional permanent equity.
EFFICIENCY RATIOS
Ratio Formula What It Means
Backlog to Working Capital Backlog ÷ (Current Assets − Current Liabilities) Indicates the relationship between signed or committed work and working capital. A higher ratio may indicate a need for an increase in permanent working capital.
Months in Backlog Backlog ÷ (Revenue ÷ 12) Indicates the average number of months it will take to complete all signed or committed work
Days in Accounts Receivable (Contract Accounts Receivable + Other Accounts Receivable − Allowance for Doubtful Accounts) × 360 ÷ Revenue Indicates the number of days to collect accounts receivable. A lower ratio indicates a faster collection of receivables, thus more liquidity. Consideration should be given to the days in accounts payable ratio, because higher days in accounts receivable ratio may indicate a drain on cash flow.
Days in Inventory (Inventory × 360) ÷ Cost of Sales Indicates the number of days required to sell inventory. A high ratio may indicate overstocking of inventory.
Days in Accounts Payable (Accounts Payable − Retainage) × 360 ÷ Total Cost Indicates the average number of days it takes to liquidate trade payables. The ratio should be compared with credit terms of vendors. Retainage has been excluded.
Operating Cycle Days in Cash + Days in Accounts Receivable + Days in Inventory − Days in Accounts Payable Indicates the length of time it takes for the company to complete a normal operating cycle. A low ratio may indicate a need for more permanent working capital.
LIQUIDITY RATIOS
Ratio Formula What It Means
Current Ratio Current Assets ÷ Current Liabilities Indicates the extent to which current assets are available to satisfy current liabilities. Usually stated in terms of absolute values (i.e., 2.1 to 1.0, or simply 2.1). Generally, a minimum current ratio is 1.0, which indicates that current assets at least equal current liabilities.
Quick Ratio (Cash and Cash Equivalents + Short-Term Investments + Net Receivables) ÷ Current Liabilities Indicates the extent to which the more liquid assets are available to satisfy current liabilities. Usually stated in terms of absolute values, a quick ratio of 1.0 is generally considered a liquid position.
Days of Cash ((Cash and Cash Equivalents) × 360) ÷ Revenue Indicates the number of days' revenue in cash. Generally, a ratio of seven days or more is considered adequate.
Working Capital Turnover Revenue ÷ Working Capital
Working Capital (Current Assets − Current Liabilities) 		Indicates the amount of revenue being supported by each $1 of net working capital employed. A ratio exceeding 30 may indicate a need for increased working capital to support future revenue growth.
FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES

Total full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) includes all personnel employed. A FTE is calculated using the reported proportion of full-time hours worked for those who don’t work full-time. For example, an employee who worked 20 hours per week is counted as 0.5 employees if the work week is 40 hours; one who worked full-time for three months out of the year as 0.25 employees; and an employee who year-round works 60 hours per week would count as 1.5 FTEs.

Production FTEs excludes employees that contribute to the fixed costs of the company (e.g., those employees whose employment costs are not directly associated with the variable costs of a project).

Contractor Type
Associated NAICS Codes
Industrial & Nonresidential
236210 Industrial Building Construction
236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Heavy & Highway
237110 Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
237120 Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction
237130 Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
237310 Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
237990 Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Specialty Trade
238110 Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors
238120 Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors
238130 Framing Contractors
238140 Masonry Contractors
238150 Glass and Glazing Contractors
238160 Roofing Contractors
238170 Siding Contractors
238190 Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
238210 Electrical Contractors
238220 Plumbing, Heating, and Air‐Conditioning Contractors
238290 Other Building Equipment Contractors
238310 Drywall and Insulation Contractors
238320 Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
238330 Flooring Contractors
238340 Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
238350 Finish Carpentry Contractors
238390 Other Building Finishing Contractors
238910 Site Preparation Contractors
238990 All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
561621 Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)
562910 Environmental Remediation Services
Residential Construction
236115 New Single‐Family Housing Construction (Except Operative Builders)
236116 New Multifamily Housing Construction (Except Operative Builders)
236117 New Housing Operative Builders
236118 Residential Remodelers
Size

All size references refer to annual revenue.

Best in Class

Best in Class refers to the top 25% of all participants, based on a composite ranking of the following:

  • Return on Assets
  • Return on Equity
  • Fixed Asset Ratio
  • Debt to Equity
  • Working Capital Turnover
Region
Regions