Return on Equity (ROE) Calculator

About the Return on Equity (ROE) Calculator

Return on Equity (ROE) measures how effectively a company uses shareholders' equity to generate profit. An ROE of 15% means the business earns $0.15 for every $1.00 of equity invested.

The DuPont decomposition breaks ROE into three drivers: net profit margin (profitability), asset turnover (efficiency), and equity multiplier (leverage). This reveals WHY a company has high or low ROE — is it profitable operations, efficient asset use, or financial leverage?

This calculator computes ROE, performs the full DuPont analysis, and benchmarks against industry-specific targets. ROE measures the return generated on shareholders' invested capital and is one of the most widely watched financial metrics among investors and analysts. A high ROE can signal strong management, but it can also be driven by excessive leverage, which is why the DuPont decomposition is essential. By splitting ROE into profit margin, asset turnover, and the equity multiplier, DuPont analysis reveals whether strong returns come from operational excellence, efficient asset use, or risky levels of debt. This three-factor view is the standard framework used by professional analysts worldwide.

When This Page Helps

ROE is the most important metric for equity investors because it measures return on their invested capital. For business owners, it shows whether the business earns more than its cost of equity. DuPont analysis identifies which operational lever to pull for improvement. This makes it the most actionable tool for boards, managers, and investors seeking to boost shareholder returns.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter net income from your income statement.
2. Enter total shareholders' equity from your balance sheet.
3. Enter revenue and total assets for DuPont decomposition.
4. View ROE and its three DuPont components.
5. Identify which driver contributes most to your ROE.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• ROE above 15% is generally considered strong for non-financial companies.
• High ROE from high leverage (equity multiplier) is riskier than high ROE from margins.
• Compare ROE to cost of equity — ROE above cost of equity creates shareholder value.
• Consistent ROE above 20% signals a competitive moat (Warren Buffett's favorite metric).
• Buybacks reduce equity, artificially inflating ROE — check if equity has been shrinking.
• Negative equity makes ROE meaningless — focus on fixing the balance sheet first.

DuPont Framework Deep Dive

The DuPont framework transforms ROE from a single number into an actionable diagnostic. High margin + low turnover = luxury/premium strategy. Low margin + high turnover = volume/efficiency strategy. Any combination with high leverage = aggressive financing strategy. Match your DuPont profile to your business strategy.

ROE in Investment Analysis

Warren Buffett considers ROE the most important metric for stock selection. His ideal: ROE consistently above 15%, generated with low leverage, with retained earnings reinvested at high returns. This creates a compounding machine where equity grows while maintaining high ROE.

Sustainable Growth Rate

Sustainable growth rate = ROE × retention ratio (1 − payout ratio). A company with 20% ROE that retains 75% of earnings can grow at 15% without external financing. This links profitability directly to growth capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a good ROE?

  For non-financial companies, 15-20% is strong, above 20% is excellent. Technology companies often achieve 20-40%. Utilities: 8-12%. Banks: 10-15%. Manufacturing: 12-18%. An ROE consistently above the industry median suggests competitive advantage.

• What is DuPont analysis?

  DuPont analysis decomposes ROE into three factors: net profit margin (how much profit per dollar of sales), asset turnover (how efficiently assets generate sales), and equity multiplier (how much leverage is used). This reveals the source of ROE — profitability, efficiency, or leverage.

• How does leverage affect ROE?

  Leverage amplifies ROE in both directions. If ROA exceeds the cost of debt, leverage boosts ROE. If ROA is below cost of debt, leverage destroys ROE. A company with 10% ROA and 2× equity multiplier has 20% ROE, but also twice the risk.

• Why is my ROE high but the stock price is falling?

  High ROE from declining equity (losses or buybacks) can be misleading. Also, the market prices expectations, not just current performance. If ROE is expected to decline — from margin compression, competition, or deleveraging — the stock may fall despite good current ROE.

• ROE vs ROA: which is more useful?

  ROA measures operational efficiency regardless of financing. ROE includes the leverage effect. For comparing companies with different capital structures, ROA is more apples-to-apples. For evaluating returns to equity holders, ROE is more relevant. Use both together.

• Can ROE be too high?

  ROE above 30-40% sustained is rare for large companies. Extremely high ROE may indicate: very high leverage (risky), small equity base (recent losses), or accounting distortions. Verify with DuPont analysis — margin-driven high ROE is healthier than leverage-driven.