What is Performance ratios

ROCE

Return oncapital employed (ROCE)= (Profit before interest and tax (PBIT) / Capital employed) * 100%

ROCE measures profitability and illustrates how well the business is utilising its capital to generate profits. Capital employed is debt and equity. Equity is shareholders' funds (shareholders 'funds) and debt is noncurrent liabilities. Capital employed can be found from the statement of financial position by taking shareholders' funds (share capital and reserves) and long term debt.

ROCE can be broken down in two parts, asset turnover and operating profit margin.

A low ROCE is either caused by a high capital employed orlow profit margin. A high ROCE is either caused by low capital employed orhigh profit margin. It is hence important to look at the profitability, assets, liabilities and share capital when trying to give reasons for change in ROCE.