Business failure: Financial characterization of the liquidated companies in Ecuador, years 2016 and 2017

Nowadays, some companies have become an essential element of high importance, not only for the growth of a society, but also for the country. If the companies face difficulties, such as situations of failure, they would take to an economic uncertainty in their influence area. This investigation is aimed to identify the financial characteristics of the liquidated companies in Ecuador, which correspond to Wholesale and Retail Trade. This study was made using a database that was elaborated from the published information by the Superintendence of Companies, Values and Insurances of Ecuador. Companies are classified in two groups: healthy and bankrupt. Afterwards, financial ratios are analyzed according to financial statements during the years 2016 and 2017. Finally, in the results, it can be observed that the healthy companies maintained a lower liquidity level in comparison with the ones that went bankrupt. However, the healthy companies have been able to manage, in an efficient way, their cash allowing them to fund their commercial processes, and thus, to keep themselves afloat in the market. The healthy companies present an average liquidity of 2.66 and an average yield of the total active and patrimony of 3.71% and 11.82% respectively. The bankrupt companies showed a liquidity of 3.84 and an average yield of the total active and patrimony of 1.22% and 5.80%. A difference in the yield is also observed; the bankrupt companies presented a 2.59%, whereas the healthy ones reached a 31.15%. Therefore, even the bankrupt companies presented higher levels of liquidity; their profitability is inferior compared to the healthy ones.