Understanding Return on Equity (ROE)
Return on Equity (ROE) is a financial ratio that measures a company's profitability relative to shareholders' equity. It indicates how efficiently a company is using investments to generate earnings. A higher ROE suggests that a company is more effective at converting equity financing into profits. ROE is a valuable tool for investors to compare the profitability of companies within the same industry.
Worked Example: These Figures Today
The companies used as examples above, with the live figures behind them. Illustrations of the metric — not a ranking, not a shortlist, and not a recommendation.
| Ticker | Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | MoonshotScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAPL | Apple Inc. | $332.61 | +1.85% | $4.9T | 37.5 | 89 |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | $492.44 | +0.16% | $3.7T | 27.4 | 85 |
| JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | $266.59 | +0.09% | $642.5B | 29.2 | 89 |
Shortlist of Companies with High ROE
The shortlist includes:
“MoonshotScore rates a US-listed stock 0 to 100 — higher means stronger numbers. Most carry an older nine-factor score; the rest use five sector-relative pillars, re-ranked daily — common stocks and ADRs only. Funds, ETFs, warrants, units, SPACs, preferreds, and notes carry none. It is built for education and deeper due diligence, not financial advice.”
Questions worth resolving before acting on the screen
What does Return on Equity (ROE) tell investors?
ROE indicates how effectively a company uses shareholders' investments to generate profits. A high ROE is generally more attractive, but it should be compared against industry peers.
How is Return on Equity (ROE) calculated?
ROE is calculated by dividing a company’s net income by its average shareholders’ equity. The formula provides a percentage that represents the return generated for each dollar of equity.
What are the limitations of using Return on Equity (ROE)?
ROE can be influenced by debt levels; high debt can inflate ROE. It's important to consider a company's capital structure and compare ROE within the same industry.