Here’s an HTML-formatted explanation of the Google Finance MRCY function:
The MRCY function in Google Finance calculates the Modified Return on Capital Employed. It’s a financial metric that aims to provide a more accurate picture of a company’s profitability relative to the capital it utilizes, compared to a simple Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) calculation. Google Finance uses a specific formula for MRCY, which is based on a company’s financial data.
Understanding the Formula
While the exact underlying workings of Google Finance’s MRCY aren’t fully transparent (as Google doesn’t explicitly publish the precise algorithm), the underlying principle of MRCY is to refine ROCE by addressing perceived shortcomings, particularly concerning the treatment of intangible assets and goodwill.
Generally, a company’s MRCY is calculated by:
- Adjusting Earnings: Instead of using EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) directly, some versions of MRCY will adjust it by adding back amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets. The rationale is that these amortization expenses are often non-cash and may distort the true picture of a company’s operating performance. The adjusted earnings figure becomes the numerator.
- Adjusting Capital Employed: The denominator (capital employed) is adjusted by removing goodwill and other intangible assets. This adjustment aims to prevent companies with large amounts of acquired goodwill from artificially deflating their ROCE. Total assets are used as the baseline, from which goodwill and other intangible assets are removed to arrive at adjusted capital employed.
- MRCY Calculation: The final MRCY is calculated as Adjusted Earnings divided by Adjusted Capital Employed.
Therefore, the formula can be expressed as:
MRCY = (EBIT + Amortization of Goodwill & Intangibles) / (Total Assets – Goodwill – Intangibles)
Using MRCY in Google Finance
To use MRCY in Google Sheets with Google Finance, you’d enter a formula like this:
=GOOGLEFINANCE("ticker", "mrcy")
Replace “ticker” with the stock ticker symbol of the company you want to analyze (e.g., “AAPL” for Apple). The function will return the MRCY value, if available. Keep in mind that data availability can vary between tickers.
Why Use MRCY?
MRCY is valuable because it attempts to provide a more normalized view of a company’s returns, making comparisons between companies easier, especially those that have grown through acquisition and may have significant goodwill on their balance sheets.
Caveats
- Transparency: Google doesn’t publicly detail the exact modifications made in its MRCY calculation.
- Data Accuracy: Always cross-reference financial data with official company reports (SEC filings, annual reports) to verify the accuracy of Google Finance data.
- Context is Key: MRCY should not be used in isolation. Consider industry-specific benchmarks, company-specific historical trends, and other financial ratios to get a complete picture.
In summary, Google Finance MRCY is a tool to quickly assess a company’s modified return on capital. Its adjustments attempt to provide a clearer view of operating efficiency, but careful interpretation and verification with other sources are always crucial for informed financial decision-making.