DuPont Analysis: Decomposing Return on Equity

CFA Level I Financial Reporting & Analysis · 4:11

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When shareholders ask how their money's been used
There's a method that cannot be confused
ROE tells the story but not the whole tale
Three components reveal where you succeed or fail
Net income over equity's the start
But DuPont breaks it into component parts

[Chorus]
Profit margin times asset turnover times equity multiplier
Three drivers working together, making returns fly higher
How much you keep, how fast you turn, how much you amplify
DuPont analysis shows you why your ROE can touch the sky
Margin, turnover, leverage too
That's how we break ROE through

[Verse 2]
First component is the profit margin test
Net income over sales revenue's the quest
It measures how much profit you retain
From every dollar that flows through your domain
Cost control and pricing power shine
In this efficiency bottom line

[Chorus]
Profit margin times asset turnover times equity multiplier
Three drivers working together, making returns fly higher
How much you keep, how fast you turn, how much you amplify
DuPont analysis shows you why your ROE can touch the sky
Margin, turnover, leverage too
That's how we break ROE through

[Verse 3]
Asset turnover is the second key
Sales revenue over assets shows velocity
How efficiently you use what you own
To generate sales and make profits grown
Inventory turns and receivable days
Impact this ratio in powerful ways

[Bridge]
Equity multiplier completes the chain
Total assets over equity's the gain
Financial leverage amplifies return
But higher risk is what stakeholders learn
Debt versus equity financing choice
Gives this final ratio its voice

[Chorus]
Profit margin times asset turnover times equity multiplier
Three drivers working together, making returns fly higher
How much you keep, how fast you turn, how much you amplify
DuPont analysis shows you why your ROE can touch the sky
Margin, turnover, leverage too
That's how we break ROE through

[Outro]
When ROE changes year to year
DuPont shows which driver's the premier
Operational or financial might
Three components bring insight to light

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