What is the current ratio used for?

The current ratio is a financial metric that specifically assesses a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations, such as debts and liabilities that are due within one year. It is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. A higher current ratio indicates that the company has more assets readily available to cover its short-term liabilities, reflecting liquidity and financial health in the short term.

This measurement is critical for stakeholders, including creditors and investors, who want to understand how well a company can handle immediate financial demands without relying on further financing or selling long-term assets.

Other options refer to different aspects of financial management: long-term financial stability would be better assessed using ratios like the debt-to-equity ratio; overall profitability would typically use metrics such as net profit margin or return on equity; and market share is evaluated using sales figures relative to competitors, not liquidity ratios.