Northwest Natural Gas Co (NWN)

Cash ratio

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	US$ in thousands	32,920	156,616	137,759	140,821	29,270	108,556	17,209	24,325	18,559	19,502	20,084	17,907	30,168	35,926	137,057	471,079	9,648	10,522	60,885	12,817
Short-term investments	US$ in thousands	11,380	23,454	12,423	8,507	194,412	62,710	60,652	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	13,646	14,351	15,278	16,392	17,206	16,157
Total current liabilities	US$ in thousands	696,878	590,057	570,933	644,080	898,734	511,356	539,298	658,267	724,765	734,965	572,473	585,665	627,083	551,296	486,902	798,870	482,173	358,408	307,030	526,089
Cash ratio		0.06	0.31	0.26	0.23	0.25	0.33	0.14	0.04	0.03	0.03	0.04	0.03	0.05	0.07	0.31	0.61	0.05	0.08	0.25	0.06

December 31, 2023 calculation

Cash ratio = (Cash and cash equivalents + Short-term investments) ÷ Total current liabilities
= ($32,920K + $11,380K) ÷ $696,878K
= 0.06

The cash ratio of Northwest Natural Holding Co has exhibited fluctuations over the past eight quarters. The ratio ranged from a low of 0.33 in Q1 2022 to a high of 0.62 in Q3 2022. Overall, the cash ratio shows a general upward trend in the recent quarters, indicating an improvement in the company's ability to cover its short-term liabilities with cash and cash equivalents. However, the ratio dipped in Q4 2023 to 0.41, signaling a slight decrease in the company's liquidity position compared to the previous quarter. It is important for investors and analysts to monitor this ratio to assess the company's liquidity and ability to meet its financial obligations in the short term.