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2.3 TYPES OF RATIOS: 2.3.1 Liquidity Ratios: The importance of adequate liquidity in the sense of the ability of a firm to meet current/short-term obligations when they become due for payment can hardly be overstresses. In fact, liquidity is a prerequisite for the very survival of a firm. The short-term creditors of the firm are interested in the short-term solvency or liquidity of a firm. The short-term creditors of the firm are interested in the short-term solvency or liquidity of a firm. But liquidity implies from the viewpoint of utilization of the funds of the firm, that funds are idle or they earn very little. A proper balance between the two contradictory requirements, that is, liquidity and profitability, is required for efficient financial management. The liquidity ratios measures the ability of a firm to meet its short-term obligations and reflect the short-term financial strength and solvency of a firm. A. Current Ratio: The current ratio is the ratio of total current assets to total current liabilities. It is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities: Current assets Current Ratio = ________________ Current liabilities The current assets of a firm, as already stated, represent those assets which can be, in the ordinary course of business, converted into cash within a short period of time, normally not exceeding one year and include cash and bank balances, marketable securities, inventory of raw materials, semi-finished (work-in-progress) and finished goods, debtors net of provision for bad and doubtful debts, bills receivable and prepaid expenses. The current liabilities defined as liabilities which are short-term maturing obligations to be met, as originally contemplated, within a year, consist of trade creditors, bills payable, bank credit, provision for taxation, dividends payable and outstanding expenses.