What do liquidity ratios measure?

Liquidity ratios are designed to assess a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations. These financial metrics provide insight into how well a company can convert its assets into cash promptly to cover liabilities that are due in the near future, typically within one year.

For instance, a commonly used liquidity ratio is the current ratio, which compares current assets to current liabilities. A higher current ratio indicates a greater cushion against potential cash flow problems, suggesting that the company is better positioned to ensure its short-term financial stability.

In this context, liquidity ratios directly inform stakeholders—such as investors, creditors, and management—about the company's capacity to pay off short-term debts. This is an essential aspect of financial health, as failing to meet short-term obligations can lead to severe repercussions, such as insolvency or the inability to secure financing in the future.

Other options reflect different financial measures or aspects unrelated to the immediate concern of liquidity. For example, the efficiency of a company's sales process deals with operational metrics, long-term profitability pertains to the overall performance and sustainability of the business over time, and stock price movement relates to market perceptions and trading dynamics rather than a company’s ability to handle short-term financial commitments.