Fundamental AnalysisIntermediate

ROE

Return on Equity

How much profit a company generates on every rupee of shareholders' money.

Detailed explanation

ROE is net profit divided by shareholders' equity. Consistently high ROE without heavy borrowing usually points to a durable competitive advantage. Because debt shrinks the equity base, a leveraged company can post a flattering ROE while carrying real risk.

Formula

ROE = Net profit / Shareholders' equity × 100

Example

₹400 crore profit on ₹2,000 crore of equity is an ROE of 20%.

Why it matters

It links profitability to the capital owners actually put in, which is the number compounding your investment.

Key points

  • Check the debt-to-equity ratio before admiring a high ROE.
  • Look at a five-year trend, not a single year.
  • ROCE is the debt-neutral cousin worth reviewing too.

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Educational content only. Definitions and examples are illustrative and are not investment, tax or legal advice.