Return on Equity is one of the most closely watched performance measures in finance. It looks simple on the surface, but it carries deeper meaning once you examine how it is generated. ROE tells us how effectively a company is using shareholders’ capital, not just whether it is profitable.

This is why ROE appears repeatedly in equity analysis, financial statement analysis, and portfolio management in CFA and FRM.

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What Return on Equity Really Measures

ROE measures the return earned on the equity capital invested by shareholders.

In plain terms, it answers this question:
How much profit is generated for every unit of shareholder investment?

A higher ROE suggests efficient use of equity, but efficiency does not always mean strength. Context matters.

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Basic ROE Formula

Return on Equity is calculated as:

Net Income ÷ Average Shareholders’ Equity

While the formula is straightforward, exams rarely focus only on calculation. They test interpretation, sustainability, and what is driving the number.

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What Drives ROE

ROE is influenced by three broad factors.

Profitability affects how much income is generated.
Efficiency affects how well assets are used.
Leverage affects how returns are amplified for equity holders.

These drivers are commonly analysed using the DuPont framework.

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ROE and Financial Leverage

Leverage plays a critical role in ROE.

Using debt reduces the equity base, which can mechanically increase ROE even if operating performance does not improve. This makes ROE sensitive to capital structure decisions.

Exams often test whether candidates can identify leverage-driven ROE rather than operational strength.

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ROE vs Return on Assets (ROA)

ROE and ROA are related but measure different things.

ROA focuses on how assets generate profit, regardless of financing.
ROE focuses on what equity holders receive after financing effects.

The gap between ROE and ROA reflects the impact of leverage.

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ROE and Cost of Equity

ROE should always be compared with the cost of equity.

If ROE exceeds the cost of equity, the firm is creating value for shareholders.
If ROE is below the cost of equity, value is being destroyed, even if profits exist.

This comparison is often tested conceptually.

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Limitations of ROE

ROE can be misleading.

It can be inflated by:

• high leverage
• share buybacks
• accounting choices

Comparing ROE across industries without adjustment often leads to incorrect conclusions.

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Common Student Misunderstandings

Many students assume higher ROE is always better. It is not.

Others ignore how leverage affects ROE.
Some forget to assess sustainability over time.

These misunderstandings frequently appear in exam traps.

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Closing Thought

Return on Equity is a powerful indicator, but it must be interpreted carefully. It reflects how profits, efficiency, and leverage combine to shape shareholder returns. For CFA and FRM preparation, the focus should be on understanding what drives ROE, why it changes, and when it can be misleading. Once that logic is clear, ROE-based questions become much easier to analyse.