Quick Ratio

The quick ratio, or acid-test ratio, measures a company's short-term liquidity by comparing liquid assets to current liabilities. It assesses if a company has enough easily convertible assets to cover its immediate debts and obligations.
Quick Ratio
3 mins read
15-June-2024

The quick ratio indicates how well a company can cover its immediate debts using its most readily available assets. It's computed by dividing a firm's cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and accounts receivable by its total current liabilities.

Traders and short-term investors can rely on different financial measures to evaluate if a company’s shares are worth investing in. The quick ratio is one such measure that helps you assess a company’s short-term financial liquidity. Let us take a closer look at the meaning of quick ratio, analyse the formula of the quick ratio and check out some quick ratio examples.

What is the quick ratio?

The quick ratio, also called the quick liquidity ratio or the acid-test ratio, the quick ratio is a financial indicator that compares a company’s quick or liquid assets with its current liabilities. It measures how capable a company is of paying off its current liabilities with its liquid or quick assets alone.

Formula of quick ratio

As its name indicates, the quick ratio is equal to the quick assets of a company divided by its current liabilities. The formula for the quick ratio is as follows:

Quick ratio = Liquid assets ÷ Current liabilities


To calculate the liquid assets of a company, you can use any of the following two formulas:

Liquid assets = Cash and cash equivalents + Marketable securities + Accounts receivable

or

Liquid assets = Current assets – Inventory – Prepaid expenses


Also read -
What is ratio analysis?

How to calculate quick ratio

To better understand how this indicator works, let us take an example of the quick ratio and how it is calculated. Consider the following data for a company.

Particulars

Value

Cash and cash equivalents

Rs. 50,000

Marketable securities

Rs. 1,50,000

Accounts receivable

Rs. 80,000

Current liabilities

Rs. 1,20,000


Plugging in the above values in the formula for the quick ratio, we have:

Quick ratio:

= Liquid assets ÷ Current liabilities

= (Cash and cash equivalents + Marketable securities + Accounts receivable) ÷ Current liabilities

= Rs. (50,000 + 1,50,000 + 80,000) ÷ Rs. 1,20,000

= Rs. 2,80,000 ÷ Rs. 1,20,000

= 2.33

This means that the company can cover its current liabilities with its quick assets 2.33 times over.

Quick ratio example

Imagine a scenario where a small retail business seeks financing to renovate its storefront. To assess the business's ability to meet short-term obligations, a lender would calculate the quick ratio and request the company's balance sheet.

Here’s an example of what the balance sheet might show:

  • Cash: Rs. 10,000
  • Marketable securities: Rs. 1,000
  • Accounts receivable: Rs. 5,000
  • Inventory: Rs. 5,000
  • Prepaid taxes: Rs. 500
  • Current liabilities: Rs. 15,000

The quick ratio is calculated as:

Quick ratio = (10,000 + 1000 + 5000) / 15000

= 16000 / 15000

= 1.07

Substituting the values: A quick ratio of 1.07 suggests that the business can settle all current debts using its liquid assets and still have additional assets remaining. This metric indicates the business’s short-term liquidity strength to potential lenders.

The key components of the quick ratio

As the formula for the quick ratio indicates, you only need to compare two key metrics: the liquid assets of a company and its current liabilities. Here is what they mean.

  • Liquid assets
    The liquid assets of a company, also known as its quick assets, are those assets that can easily be liquidated. Some examples of such liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables and any marketable securities like bonds, stocks and commercial papers. It is important to note that liquid/quick assets do not include other current assets like inventory, prepaid expenses and the like.
  • Current liabilities
    The current liabilities of a company make up the denominator in the formula for the quick ratio. These liabilities are typically due to be repaid over the short term, generally within one year. Some common examples of current liabilities include salaries and wages due to employees, interest due on short-term debts, accounts payables and taxes. The portion of a company’s long-term debt that needs to be repaid within the year is also a part of this component.

Advantages of quick ratio

The quick ratio is crucial because it helps you understand whether a company is capable of repaying its current liabilities with its liquid assets. A ratio of 1 or more is considered to be a good sign, while any value below 1 means that the company has trouble with its liquidity.

What is an ideal quick ratio?

In broad terms, a favorable quick ratio is typically considered to be above 1 or 1:1. A ratio of 1:1 signifies that a company possesses liquid assets equal to its current liabilities. A higher ratio indicates that the company could settle its current obligations multiple times over, reflecting stronger liquidity and financial health.

Also read: What is Current Ratio?

Analysis of Quick Ratio

High or Favorable Quick Ratio

A Quick Ratio of 1 or higher signifies that the company possesses ample liquid assets to meet its short-term liabilities. However, an excessively high ratio may not always be advantageous. It could indicate that the company is holding a significant amount of idle cash that could be more effectively utilised through investments or business expansion to generate returns.

The optimal Quick Ratio varies depending on several factors such as industry dynamics, market conditions, business maturity, customer and supplier credit cycles, and overall financial health.

For example, multinational corporations with strong credit ratings and established market positions can navigate financial uncertainties more effectively. They can negotiate favorable payment terms with suppliers and creditors, and accurately forecast market trends. Conversely, small businesses face greater challenges in maintaining sufficient liquid assets, especially when dealing with smaller partners who may have less stable cash flows.

Low Quick Ratio

Companies with a Quick Ratio below 1 lack adequate quick assets to settle their short-term financial obligations during a financial crisis. This jeopardises their ability to repay creditors and lenders promptly.

A Quick Ratio below 1 indicates that the company may struggle to fulfill all its immediate financial commitments. Additionally, if the company seeks external financing, it may face higher interest rates due to perceived higher risk.

Limitations of Quick Ratio

  • The Quick Ratio alone may not provide a sufficient analysis of a company's liquidity. It should be compared with competitors and industry standards, as it is purely a numerical value without considering the nature of assets and liabilities.
    It is essential to consider the Cash Flow Ratio or Current Ratio for a more accurate assessment of liquidity.
  • Excluding inventory from the calculation is a drawback, especially for companies with substantial inventory. For example, supermarkets have significant inventory easily valued at marketable prices. Relying solely on cash or cash equivalents for the ratio may lead to inaccurate results.
  • The Quick Ratio does not factor in payment periods. Accounts receivable may turn into bad debts or face delays in recovery, adversely affecting liquidity beyond what the Quick Ratio indicates. It assumes accounts receivable are promptly collectible.
  • Although the Quick Ratio helps in forecasting, it relies on historical data, potentially leading to misleading projections. A company with a low Quick Ratio might effectively manage its liabilities through strong relationships with suppliers and banks, despite its apparent liquidity challenges.

Current ratio vs quick ratio: The key differences

Although the two are often confused with one another, the quick ratio is different from the current ratio. Here is a summary of the key differences.

Particulars

Quick Ratio

Current Ratio

Meaning

Measures a company's capacity to repay its short-term obligations with its most liquid assets

Measures a company's capacity to repay its short-term obligations with all its current assets

Formula

(Cash + Marketable securities + Accounts receivable) ÷ Current liabilities

Total current assets ÷ Current liabilities

Components

Includes cash, marketable securities and accounts receivables

Includes cash, marketable securities, accounts receivables, inventory and other current assets

Inventory

Excludes inventory from the calculation

Includes inventory in the calculation

Purpose

Provides a more stringent test of liquidity by excluding inventory, which may not be readily convertible to cash

Offers a broader overview of a company's liquidity by including all the assets that can be converted to cash within a year

Sensitivity

More sensitive to changes in inventory levels and accounts receivables

Less sensitive to changes in inventory and other current assets


Also read: What is the cash ratio?

Conclusion

The quick ratio is an important financial metric to consider if you want to invest in a company over the short term. It gives you more clarity about the company’s liquidity and financial strength. Keep in mind that the higher the quick ratio, the better the company’s liquidity is. That said, you must also evaluate other indicators like the current ratio and cash ratio to make a more informed decision.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of the quick ratio?

The quick ratio is a financial indicator that measures a company’s short-term liquidity. It evaluates how capable a company is of repaying its short-term debts, typically those that are due within the year.

How do I calculate the quick ratio?

The formula of the quick ratio involves dividing a company’s quick assets by its current liabilities.

What is a good quick ratio?

Generally, a quick ratio of 1 or more is considered ideal because it indicates that a company has enough quick assets to cover its short-term liabilities. The higher the quick ratio, the better it is.

What if the quick ratio is less than 1?

If the quick ratio is below 1, it is a sign of poor financial liquidity. It means that the company does not have enough quick assets to meet its current liabilities.

Is the quick ratio the same as the current ratio?

No, the two ratios are different. The formula of the quick ratio only considers the liquid or quick assets of a company. The current ratio, however, takes into account all the current assets.

Is 1.5 a good quick ratio?

A quick ratio of 1.5 is generally considered good. It indicates that the company has 1.5 times more liquid assets than current liabilities, providing a comfortable cushion to meet short-term obligations without relying heavily on inventory.

Is 0.2 a good quick ratio?

A quick ratio of 0.2 is low and generally not considered good. It suggests that the company has very few liquid assets relative to its current liabilities, which may pose challenges in meeting short-term financial obligations.

Is a quick ratio of 8 good?

A quick ratio of 8 is exceptionally high. While it shows strong liquidity, excessively high ratios may indicate that the company is not efficiently utilising its liquid assets. It could consider investing excess cash to earn higher returns or paying down debt.

Is a quick ratio of 0.9 good?

A quick ratio of 0.9 is considered acceptable but borderline. It means the company has just enough liquid assets to cover its current liabilities. Depending on the industry and other financial factors, it may indicate a need to manage cash flow more effectively.

What if quick ratio is high?

A high quick ratio typically indicates strong liquidity, which is positive. However, excessively high ratios might mean the company is holding too much cash that could be invested more effectively. It's important to analyse whether the high ratio aligns with business objectives and industry standards.

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Bajaj Finance Limited (“BFL”) is an NBFC offering loans, deposits and third-party wealth management products.

The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute any financial advice. The content herein has been prepared by BFL on the basis of publicly available information, internal sources and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. However, BFL cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness, or warrant such information will not be changed. 

This information should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any investment decisions. Hence, User is advised to independently exercise diligence by verifying complete information, including by consulting independent financial experts, if any, and the investor shall be the sole owner of the decision taken, if any, about suitability of the same.