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What is Inventory Turnover Ratio?
Inventory Turnover ratio is a ratio which shows how many times an average inventory of a company is sold or replaced during a period, for example, a year. It compares two things viz. the cost of goods sold and average inventory.
Formula for Calculating Inventory Turnover Ratio
The formula used for calculating the inventory turnover ratio is as follows:
Inventory Turnover Ratio = Cost of goods sold/Average inventory
Where, Average inventory = (Opening Stock + Closing Stock)/2
Components of Inventory Turnover Ratio
Let’s understand the components of the ratio of inventory turnover.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold here includes the cost of all the materials, labor costs, and overheads that have occurred to produce the goods or services. We may understand that selling and distribution costs and finance costs are not made part of it.
Average Inventory
For the purpose of this ratio, we take an average of opening and closing inventory. Why? We know that inventory is a moving asset not like fixed asset. Therefore, the levels of inventory keep changing with each transaction whether it is sale, or purchase, inventory moved to waste, etc. With the advent of sophisticated inventory management software, it is possible to find out real weighted average inventory it had held during a year.
Interpretation of Inventory Turnover Ratio
The most important thing after calculating this ratio is to interpret and analyze it.
Low Inventory Turnover Ratio
Apparently, higher this ratio, better it is. Lower ratios signify lack of sufficient sales or higher levels of stock. Some smart businessmen purposely keep high ratios foreseeing a demand rise in their industry or a rise in prices of the stock. This normally is a temporary phenomenon. Best way to judge whether a ratio is up to the mark or not is to compare it with the industry averages.
High Inventory Turnover Ratio
It implies either strong sales and better inventory management and better liquidity. But it can also indicate a shortage or inadequate inventory levels, which may lead to a loss in business.
