LibGuides: Accounting & Taxation Resources: Ratios

What are ratios?

Ratios are indicators used to evaluate a firm's performance and financial strength. They are particularly useful when compared its competitors or industry norms.

For help understanding ratios and how to use them see the following sites:

AccountingTools
Business Ratios & Formulas - ebook by Steven M. Bragg

For more information on ratios, see our Ratios & Industry Averages guide

Industry Ratios

Each source below provides different average industry ratios based on different numbers of companies.

It's helpful to know the NAICS & SIC Codes for your industry before going into some of the sources below.

The financial section of First Research has ratios for most industries.

First Research This link opens in a new window
Analysis of over 900 US/global industries with product overview, competitive landscape, sales & marketing, international insights, finance & regulation, human resources, industry outlook, leading industry indicators & drivers, issues & challenges, trends & opportunities, ratios plus executive insights & call prep questions. From Dun & Bradstreet.
D&B Key Business Ratios This link opens in a new window
Find solvency, efficiency and profitability ratios by SIC industry. See also Mergent Archives for print editions from 1979 to the present and FirstResearch for industry reports with some ratios.

Annual Statement Studies (RMA)
Second Floor Ref. HF 5681 .B2 .R58
Different measures and more industries. See note above.
Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios (Troy)
Second Floor Ref. HF 5681 .R25 .T68
Based on income tax returns.