What key ratio measures a company's ability to pay short-term obligations?

The current ratio is a crucial financial metric that assesses a company's ability to cover its short-term liabilities with its short-term assets. This ratio is computed by dividing current assets by current liabilities, providing insight into the company's liquidity position.

A higher current ratio indicates that the company has more current assets than current liabilities, which typically suggests better financial health and the ability to meet short-term obligations. It helps stakeholders understand whether a company can efficiently manage its short-term debts, such as accounts payable, short-term loans, and other obligations that are due within a year.

In contrast to the other options listed, the current ratio specifically targets liquidity rather than leverage or profitability. For example, the debt-to-equity ratio assesses a company’s financial leverage and long-term solvency by comparing total debt to shareholders' equity. The quick ratio, while also a liquidity measure, refines the current ratio by excluding inventory from current assets, focusing more on the most liquid assets. Lastly, the profit margin evaluates overall profitability relative to revenue generated, which does not directly relate to short-term financial obligations.

Thus, the current ratio stands out as the primary measure of a company's immediate financial health in terms of its ability to pay off short-term debts.