3.5-3.6 Ratio analysis

Improving Gross Profit Margin

lowering pricesincreases the sale and the sales revenueonly works if the company achieves economies of scale to afford to lower costs of production
increasing pricesincreases sales revenue especially if there is little competition and the customers are loyalin a competitive market, sales will decline significantly reducing both sales revenue and GMP

improving Net Profit Margin

reducing expenses:

  • rent: they could move to another premise or negotiate lower rent prices in the current premise.

disadvantage: there could be less efficient machinery in the new premise or it could be in a less convenient place for customers.

  • electricity: they can monitor the use of electricity or use an alternative, cheaper source of energy, but they have to make sure not to offer lower quality products after these changes
  • stationery: relying on digital documents instead of paper will decrease the money spent on stationery, however, it could increase the electricity cost.

improving Return on Capital Employed

reduce COGS for a higher net profitnegotiate lower rental prices, improving quality management and stock control will reduce the cost of sales leading to a higher net profit
increase sales revenue for a higher net profitwith promotion, advertising or offering new products the sales revenue will increase (hopefully more than the cost of sales with this strategy)

improving current ratio

selling unused fixed assets:for example, old trucks or machinery may bring profit to the company,it’s important not to sell assets needed by the company to produce efficiently
increasing sales revenue:with promotions or lower prices to sell more products, or the business could improve the revenue per unit by increasing the price. this will bring more money into the business,it is not certain whether the sales will improve or not with this method.

improving stock turnover

improving debtor days

improving creditor days

improving gearing ratio