Final answer:
The 3 key profitability ratios include return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and profit margin, which are essential metrics for evaluating a company's ability to generate earnings relative to its assets, equity, and sales.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to 3 profitability ratios that help determine if a company is earning sufficient returns on the assets or equity invested in the business. The three main profitability ratios to consider are the return on assets (ROA), the return on equity (ROE), and the profit margin.
The ROA measures how efficiently a company uses its assets to generate profit, which is calculated by dividing the net income by the total assets. The ROE assesses the ability of a company to generate profits from its shareholders' equity, and is found by dividing net income by shareholder's equity. Lastly, the profit margin indicates how much profit a company makes for every dollar of sales, which is determined by dividing net income by sales revenue.
These ratios are indicative of the company's financial health and its ability to bring returns to its shareholders. Businesses use these ratios to make strategic decisions on investments, operations, and in communicating financial performance to investors and stakeholders.