What does the Current Ratio measure?

• A. The ability of the entity to meet current obligations
• B. Long-term solvency
• C. Profitability
• D. Asset turnover efficiency

Answer: (A)

Liquidity assessment focuses on whether the entity can meet short-term obligations using assets expected to be converted to cash within a year. The Current Ratio does this by comparing current assets (like cash, receivables, and inventories) to current liabilities (such as payables and short-term debt). A ratio greater than 1 indicates there are enough near-term assets to cover near-term obligations, signaling adequate liquidity. A ratio below 1 suggests potential difficulty meeting those obligations without additional financing. This measure concentrates on short-term solvency, not profitability or long-term solvency, and it doesn’t assess how efficiently assets generate revenue. Industry benchmarks matter, since what’s considered a healthy ratio can vary by sector.