What does the Asset Turnover ratio measure?

The Asset Turnover ratio measures a company's efficiency in using its assets to generate revenue. This ratio is calculated by dividing total sales (or revenue) by average total assets. A higher Asset Turnover ratio indicates that a company is effectively utilizing its assets to produce sales, showing a strong operational performance. This is crucial for investors and analysts as it reflects how well the company is managing its asset base to drive revenue, directly linking asset management to business success.

The other options relate to different aspects of financial analysis. Profitability is typically assessed through ratios like net profit margin or return on equity, while debt funding levels would be evaluated using leverage ratios. Net income per sales dollar is a measure of profitability rather than asset efficiency. Thus, the Asset Turnover ratio specifically focuses on operational effectiveness related to asset use, making it distinct from these other financial metrics.