Return on equity (egenkapitalforrentning)

Return on equity (egenkapitalforrentning, ROE) shows how large a return the company generates on the owners' capital. It is calculated as the net result divided by equity, multiplied by 100.

Where return on assets measures the return on all assets, return on equity measures the owners' return alone. It is therefore affected by leverage: a company with little equity and much debt can show high ROE — with correspondingly high risk.

How return on equity is calculated

Return on equity = net result / equity × 100 (often using average equity in the denominator). A result of DKK 500,000 on equity of DKK 2.5 million gives a return of 20%.

Beware of small denominators
If equity is close to zero, the ratio becomes extreme and meaningless — and with negative equity it cannot be interpreted at all. Always read ROE together with the solvency ratio.