LibGuides: Ratios & Industry Averages: Find Industry Ratios

Ratios

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

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

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

First Research This link opens in a new window
Click Full Profile (upper right) to view Financial Information (left) with industry averages and ratios for over 900 industries. Data comes from Dun & Bradstreet Key Business Ratios. Note NAICS and SIC code if using other sources.
D&B Key Business Ratios This link opens in a new window
Find solvency, efficiency and profitability ratios by industry and for select private, nonprofit and public companies used to compile norms. It's easiest if you determine your industry's NAICS and SIC codes first.

Retail Owners Institute - Benchmarks
Ratio trends in 55 retail segments.
Print Ratio Sources
Check print sources for more industries and different ratios.
IRS Statistics

NAICS codes and the earlier SIC codes are used to define industries.

Use these sources to verify your industry code definitions:

NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System)
Search for your NAICS code by keyword
SIC (Standard Industrial Classification)
Some sources, such as D&B Key Business Ratios, are organized by the older SIC system.

Information on coverage of RMA Annual Statement Studies is available at their web site.

Annual statement studies : financial ratio benchmarks.
Call Number: Reference HF5681.B2 R6 (second floor)
RMA Risk Management Assn. ratios for 800+ industries, arranged by NAICS code and broken down by asset and sales. Click and here for more information on ratios.
Annual Statement Studies Industry Default Probabilities and Cash Flow Measures.
Call Number: Reference HF5681.B2 R6
Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios by Leo Troy
Call Number: Reference HF 5681 .R25 A45
Publication Date: annual
Ratios derived from income tax returns for 195 industries and broken down by asset size. Arranged by NAICS code. Last published in 2017.

For ratios of a large companies, it is best to compare with similar corporations.

S&P NetAdvantage Industry Surveys have comparison charts for competing companies.

Mergent allows you to create your own.

For more databases options, see our complete lists by sub ject or A - Z list.

Capital IQ NetAdvantage - S&P Global This link opens in a new window
Find company, market news, downloadable 5-year financials, S&P analysts reports & Industry Surveys, Argus Industry Reviews and SEC filings. Create charts and more at this academic version of Capital IQ. Financials in various formats link to calculations and data source.
Visit our Capital IQ (S&P) Guide for more details
Nexis Uni, formerly LexisNexis Academic This link opens in a new window
Another source for creating company comparison tables.

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