Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula | Calculator, Example

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula (Table of Contents)

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What is the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula?

The term “Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio” refers to the operating performance metric that shows how efficiently a company is utilizing its fixed assets (machinery and equipment) to generates sales. In other words, this ratio is used to determine the amount of dollar revenue generated by each dollar of available fixed assets.

The fixed asset turnover ratio formula is expressed as the subject company’s net sales divided by the average value of its net fixed assets which is mathematically represented as,

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = Net Sales / Average Net Fixed Assets

Example of Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula (With Excel Template)

Let’s take an example to understand the calculation of the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio in a better manner.

You can download this Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula Excel Template here – Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula Excel Template

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula – Example #1

Let us take the example of two companies ABC Inc. and XYZ Inc. to illustrate the concept of fixed asset turnover ratio. Both companies belong to the same industry of ice cream manufacturing. Calculate the fixed assets turnover ratio of both of those businesses on the basis of the above-given information. Also, calculate which company utilizes its fixed assets better. According to the latest annual reports, the following information is available:

Solution:

Average Net Fixed Assets is calculated using the formula given below

Average Net Fixed Assets= (Opening Net Fixed Assets + Closing Net Fixed Assets) / 2

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For ABC Inc.

Average Net Fixed Assets = ($20 million + $24 million) / 2
Average Net Fixed Assets = $22 million

For XYZ Inc.

Average Net Fixed Assets = ($22 million + $26 million) / 2
Average Net Fixed Assets = $24 million

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio is calculated using the formula given below

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = Net Sales / Average Net Fixed Assets

For ABC Inc.

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = $50 million / $22 million
Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = 2.27x

For XYZ Inc.

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = $70 million / $24 million
Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = 2.92x

Therefore, XYZ Inc.’s fixed asset turnover ratio is higher than that of ABC Inc. which indicates that XYZ Inc. was more effective in the use of its fixed assets during 2019.

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula – Example #2

Let us take Apple Inc.’s example now’s the annual report for the year 2019 and illustrate the computation of the fixed asset turnover ratio. During the year, the company booked net sales of $260,174 million, while its net fixed assets at the start and end of 2019 stood at $41,304 million and $37,378 million respectively. Calculate Apple Inc.’s fixed assets turnover ratio based on the given information.

Solution:

Average Net Fixed Assets is calculated using the formula given below

Average Net Fixed Assets = (Opening Net Fixed Assets + Closing Net Fixed Assets) / 2

Average Net Fixed Assets = ($41,304 million + $37,378 million) / 2
Average Net Fixed Assets = $39,341 million

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio is calculated using the formula given below

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = Net Sales / Average Net Fixed Assets

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = $260,174 million / $39,341 million
Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = 6.61x

Therefore, Apple Inc.’s fixed asset turnover ratio was 6.61x for the year 2019.

Source Link: Apple Inc. Balance Sheet

Explanation

The formula for Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio can be calculated by using the following steps:

Step 1: Firstly, determine the value of the net sales recognized by the company in its income statement for the given period.

Step 2: Next, the value of net fixed assets of the company at the beginning of the period (opening) and at the end of the period (closing). Now, compute the average net fixed assets for the given period based on the opening and closing value of the net fixed assets.

Average Net Fixed Assets = (Opening Net Fixed Assets + Closing Net Fixed Assets) / 2

Step 3: Finally, the formula for the fixed asset turnover ratio can be derived by dividing net sales (step 1), as shown below, by the average net fixed assets (step 2).

Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio = Net Sales / Average Net Fixed Assets

Relevance and Use of Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio Formula

It is important to understand the concept of the fixed asset turnover ratio as it was helpful in assessing the operational efficiency of a company. This ratio is primarily applicable for manufacturing-based companies as they have huge investments in plant, machinery, and equipment and as such fixed assets’ utilization is critical for their business well-being. The ratio can be used by investors and analysts to compare the performances of companies operating in similar industries.

Although it is a very useful metric, one of the major flaws with this ratio is that it can be influenced by manipulating the depreciation charge as the ratio is calculated based on the net value of fixed assets. So, the higher the depreciation charge, the better will be the ratio and vice versa.