Learning more about the significance of  Net Profit
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By using Ratio Analysis the words in the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account can tell us something about how well the business has performed.
Net profit is used in the Net Profit ratio (Ratio 3 below) and can therefore tell us something about the profitability of the business.
The higher the figure the better the business is able to control its expenses.
In other words the bigger the ratio the better.
This means that more profit is made on the goods sold.
Other common ratios are also listed below .
Profitability
1 Return on Capital Employed  =   Profit            x  100 = %
                                                       Capital

2 Gross Profit Ratio                  =   Gross Profit  x  100 = %
                                                            Sales

3 Net Profit Ratio                      =   Net Profit      x  100 = %
                                                           Sales

Efficiency Ratios
4 Stock Turnover Ratio            =  Cost of Goods Sold =  No of times
                                                          Average Stock

5 Fixed Assets Turnover Ratio =  Sales                       = No of times
                                                        Fixed Assets at NBV

6 Debtor Collection Period        =  Average debtors     x 365  = No of days
                                                                   Sales             x   52  = No of weeks
                                                                                         x  12   = No of months

7 Suppliers Payment Period       =    Creditors               x 365   = No of days
                                                          Purchases               x  52    = No of weeks
                                                                                          x  12    = No of months

8 Asset Turnover                       =      Sales                      = No of Times
                                                     Capital Employed

Liquidity Ratios
9 Current Ratio                          =   Current Assets        = Expressed as a
                                                       Current Liabilities        Factor

10 Quick or Acid Test               =  Current Assets - Stock [Also expressed as a Factor]
                                                        Current Liabilities

Investment Ratios
11. Gearing                                 =  Preference Shares + Long Term Loans    X  100%
                                                        Shareholders funds + Long Term Loans

A Note of caution:
Ratio Analysis is all about comparing one set of ratios with another.
This can mean comparing one year with another, or comparing the performance of one company with another or with its budgets.
To achieve greater confidence in the conclusions you draw, you really need to compare more values than just two. You also need to bear in mind that there is some flexibility in the accounting treatments adopted by accountants when preparing the financial statements and so differences observed in performance might in part be due to differences in the way items have been treated in the accounts rather than differences in performance.
Now test your understanding by attempting to calculate  the net profit % from our own figures.
First you need to know whether to examine  the  trading, profit and loss account or the balance sheet.
If you make a mistake you may return here, for another try, by pressing your internet return button. You must return to this point in any event if you wish to take a peep at the answer
 Trading, profit and loss account          Balance sheet

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  The answers to the net profit ratio
Net profit ratio = net profit      x 100%   =        200      =     10%
                              sales                                    2000
This means that the business makes a net profit of 10% on it's sales. In other words it makes a profit of 10p for every £1 of sales.
These figures can be found on the profit and loss account.

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