Investing 101 3.2

Financial Ratios & Analysis - Financial ratios standardize metrics from financial statements to assess business quality and compare company performance to its history and competitors [1][2] - Four key components of a business to focus on are financial strength, profitability, growth, and value [2][3] Financial Strength - Assessing financial strength involves examining debt management through leverage ratios and liquidity levels using ratios like quick or current ratio [4][5] - Guru Focus's stock summary page provides financial strength metrics for comparison against company history and industry competitors [5] Profitability - Profitability is assessed through margins (gross, operating, and net) and returns (return on assets, return on equity, and return on invested capital) [5][6][7] - Guru Focus's stock summary page provides profitability metrics [7] Growth & Valuation - Growth is evaluated by looking at historical and projected future growth rates [7][8] - Valuation involves comparing stock price to underlying business aspects using tools like price-to-earnings, price-to-sales, and price-to-book ratios, as well as GF Value [8][9] Investment Considerations - Investors should understand the difference between an underpriced stock and a stock that's cheap for a good reason [10]