ROA (Return on Assets) Calculator
Your ROA Result
What is Return on Assets (ROA)?
Return on Assets (ROA) is a key financial ratio that shows how profitable a company is relative to its total assets. Essentially, it tells you how many cents of profit a business earns for every dollar of asset it owns. It is a critical metric for investors, management, and analysts to determine how efficiently a company is using its resources (like equipment, cash, and inventory) to generate earnings.
The ROA Formula
ROA = (Net Income / Total Assets) × 100
Why ROA Matters
Unlike other profitability metrics, ROA accounts for the capital intensity of a business. A software company and a construction firm might both have a Net Income of $1 million, but if the construction firm requires $20 million in machinery while the software company only needs $2 million in computers, the software company is far more efficient at utilizing its assets.
- Asset Efficiency: Shows how well management turns investments into profit.
- Comparative Tool: Best used to compare companies within the same industry.
- Growth Indicator: A rising ROA over time suggests the company is becoming more productive with its investments.
Practical Example
Suppose "TechGear Corp" has the following financials for the fiscal year:
- Net Income: $75,000
- Total Assets: $500,000
Using the formula: ($75,000 / $500,000) × 100 = 15%.
This means TechGear Corp earns 15 cents for every dollar it has invested in assets. If their competitor has an ROA of 10%, TechGear is significantly more efficient at squeezing profit out of their balance sheet.
What is a "Good" ROA?
Benchmarks vary widely by industry. Capital-intensive industries (like airlines or utilities) often have lower ROAs (around 2-5%), while service or technology companies often see ROAs above 15%. Generally, an ROA of 5% is considered acceptable in many sectors, while 20% or more is considered excellent.