Gross Profit Ratio

The Gross Profit Ratio (GP ratio) is a measure of profitability that expresses the company's gross profit as a percentage of its total sales. In simpler terms, the ratio helps in knowing the profit that a company makes after deducting the direct costs and expenses.

In this article, we will discuss the gross profit ratio meaning, calculation, and importance of the gross profit ratio. We will also look at an example to understand how to calculate it and why it is a crucial metric for businesses and investors to analyse a company's financial performance and efficiency.

What is gross profit ratio?

One kind of profitability ratio is the gross profit margin ratio, which is also occasionally called the gross margin. It is useful to calculate how much money a business makes from the sale of products and services after subtracting its direct expenses. Put simply, it's a straightforward statistic for determining the profitability of the business. Assessing the effectiveness of the company's use of labour and raw resources during the production process is also beneficial.

In an organisation's income statement, the gross profit is determined by subtracting the cost of items sold from the total sales. Only the company's direct costs are taken into account in the cost of goods sold; indirect costs are not. Since they fluctuate depending on the volume of output, the direct expenses are also variable.

Key takeaways

• A profitability indicator called the gross profit ratio is obtained by dividing the gross profit (GP) by the net sales. It shows the amount of money a business makes after subtracting the cost of its products sold.

• You must collect data on total sales, sales returns, opening stock, purchases, purchase returns, closing stock, and direct expenses in order to compute the gross profit ratio.

• By showing the percentage of net sales that corresponds to a company's gross profit, the gross profit ratio illustrates the relationship between gross profit and net sales.

Formula of gross profit ratio

The percentage of revenue left over after deducting the cost of products sold is known as the gross profit margin. The gross ratio formula for calculation is as follows:

Gross Profit Margin = (Net Sales – Cost of Goods Sold)/ Net Sales

Where:

Net Sales are calculated by subtracting all allowances, discounts, and returns from the total amount of sales. Compared to total sales, net sales provide more precise information.

The term "Cost of Goods Sold" (COGS) refers to the expenses incurred directly during production, such as direct labour and material costs. These expenses could change based on the business and sector. Moreover, the COGS does not include indirect costs or other fixed expenditures such as marketing or administrative expenses.

How to calculate gross profit ratio?

Assume that ABC, a company, has net sales of Rs. 75 lakhs and an income statement showing a cost of goods sold of Rs. 35 lakhs. What is the margin of gross profit?

(75,00,000 – 35,00,000) / 75,00,000 is the gross profit ratio.

= 53.33%, or 0.5333

As a result, the company's previous gross profit margin from total sales was 53%. This is additionally utilised to pay for other fees and operating expenses.

Example of calculation of gross profit ratio

For example, if a company has a gross profit of Rs. 50,000 and net sales of Rs. 100,000, the gross profit ratio would be:

Gross Profit Ratio = (Rs. 1,00,000 - Rs. 50,000) / Rs. 100,000 x 100 = 50%

This means the company is generating a 50% gross profit margin on its sales, before accounting for other operating expenses.

Importance of gross profit margin ratio

Let's take a closer look at the significance of the financial idea of gross profit ratio analysis.

• The gross profit ratio allows users to determine the profit margin the company makes from its trade and manufacturing activities by comparing net sales to gross profit.

• An analysis of the gross profit ratio shows how much money the business makes over what it must pay for operating expenses.

• It facilitates the comparison of trading activity results between firms.

• Because gross profit increases with efficiency, it indicates how well a business is performing relative to its rivals.

• The evolution of the gross profit ratio over time can be compared to determine the growth rate of the business.

• It is possible to create projections and budgets with this margin.

Limitations of gross profit ratio

It's crucial to take note of the concept of a strong gross profit ratio's few significant limitations. Let's look at them.

Expenses that are typically recorded in the profit and loss account for the company are not taken into consideration.

It merely serves as a passive gauge of the general state of the business. A business might, for instance, have a positive gross profit margin. Even Nevertheless, if all other costs are cut, the profit margin may still be relatively low, or the business may even be losing money. Therefore, it is not possible to gauge or assess the company's overall profitability using the gross profit %.

High gross profit ratio

An elevated gross ratio may indicate:

1. Better profitability

A greater ratio suggests better profitability because it shows the company can keep a bigger percentage of its revenue as profit.

2. Efficient cost management

It can indicate that the business is keeping a bigger margin by effectively controlling its manufacturing or service expenses.

3. Pricing strategy

If the corporation can raise prices for goods and services without raising the cost of things sold, it may be a sign of a successful pricing strategy.

4. Competitive advantage

A greater ratio may also be a sign of a competitive advantage, meaning the business can sustain better margins than rivals by offering distinctive products or services.

5. Room for investment

Greater gross profit ratios may provide companies with greater room for investment, allowing them to devote more funds to research.

Lower gross profit ratio

A low ratio of gross profit can indicate:

1. Lower profitability

A lower profit ratio means that a lesser amount of income is kept in profit, which implies a lower level of profitability.

2. Increased production costs

This could mean that the expenses associated with providing the services, such as production, are rising and are depleting revenue.

3. Pricing pressure

A lower ratio may suggest that competitors are putting pressure on the company's prices, causing it to cut prices and subsequently its margins.

4. Market strategy

In order to gain market share by providing clients with lower pricing, a corporation may occasionally knowingly accept a lower profit ratio.

5. Potential financial distress

Over time, consistently low gross profit ratios may be a sign of impending financial trouble because the business may not have enough margin to meet its operational expenses.

6. Limited resources for expansion

Businesses with lower gross profit ratios may not have as much money to devote to further ventures into growth or expansion.

Conclusion

Bajaj Finserv Platform offers a comprehensive solution for all your mutual fund investment needs. With over 1000+ mutual fund schemes listed, the Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund Platform provides a wide array of options tailored to fit various investment strategies and goals. Whether you are a seasoned investor or just starting out, the Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund Platform makes it easy to find and invest in mutual funds that align with your financial objectives while also offering a mutual fund calculator. Explore the diverse range of mutual funds available and take advantage of the user-friendly interface and robust support that the Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund Platform offers.

Essential tools for all mutual fund investors

Lumpsum Calculator	Step Up SIP Calculator	Axis Bank SIP Calculator	Canara Robeco SIP Calculator
SBI SIP Calculator	HDFC SIP Calculator	Nippon India SIP Calculator	ABSL SIP Calculator