In modern market conditions, there are always certain risks in commercial, economic and industrial activities. For example, in the manufacture of a particular product, there is a likelihood of insufficient demand for it, and, consequently, loss of profit and bankruptcy. When striving for the maximum reduction in the degree of risk, it is necessary to conduct thorough economic calculations of the results of activities of a business entity in various areas of activity with their subsequent analysis and evaluation. Key economic indicators imply the existence of certain evaluation criteria, and appropriate calculation and generalization methods are used to determine them.
A variety of indicators associated with the same variety of signs and properties of commercial and industrial activities of the enterprise. At the same time, experts have proved that the basic economic indicators do not have absolute versatility, and can only be used in combination. That is why in practice, a system of criteria is used that are interconnected and reflect many aspects of the business entity.
The main economic indicators of the enterprise are general, group and individual. Based on the objectives of the analysis, these parameters can be expressed in absolute, relative or average value. In itself, an indicator is such only when it has qualitative certainty. Otherwise, it is a prime number that does not mean anything.
Twenty years ago, the main economic indicators with their own calculation methods were fully formed in Russia, but they were oriented towards a centrally planned economic system. Already in the process of political transformations in the country, the specified system of criteria began to undergo certain changes and adapt to new economic conditions. For example, with the planned type of management, the main performance indicators consisted in the analysis of such characteristics as the volume of output and the implementation of the plan. Under market conditions, the main criteria for the success of an enterprise are the following: profitability, sales and, of course, profit.
The main economic indicators are based on market requirements and are divided into:
- evaluation, which characterize the achieved level of development of the enterprise;
- costly, which reflect the amount of costs for the implementation of the main activities of the subject.
This classification can be considered conditional and dependent on the goals in the analysis. For example, the criterion of “production costs” can be considered as an estimated, characterizing the level of costs, or it can be costly, as it allows you to set the cost for the provision of services.
Scientists adhere to a similar point of view when building indicators by significance. For example, profit, while important for an economic entity, can leave the landlord completely indifferent to it, who is more interested in the liquidity of the company. Shareholders are most interested in the size of dividends and stock prices.
Based on the foregoing, we can formulate the following basic economic indicators:
- the volume of sales of the enterprise;
- gross and net profit;
- profit after payment of various interest accrued on loans and other loans;
- net profit obtained after all deductions in the form of taxes and other additional payments;
- the productivity of the enterprise as a whole, and its specific elements;
- liquidity of assets.