SJW Corporation (SJW)

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	9,723	21,067	25,474	23,333	12,344	13,190	12,049	17,487	10,908	14,019	25,442	11,406	5,269	20,211	23,317	28,273	12,944	424,702	421,849	419,663
Short-term investments	US$ in thousands	—	—	—	—	—	14,438	15,011	15,866	57,632	15,289	15,163	14,367	14,367	13,629	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total current liabilities	US$ in thousands	342,974	308,116	237,954	212,965	268,322	318,710	277,829	217,853	203,271	267,285	274,431	289,735	350,795	305,398	257,966	238,404	234,567	144,307	127,058	86,688
Cash ratio		0.03	0.07	0.11	0.11	0.05	0.09	0.10	0.15	0.34	0.11	0.15	0.09	0.06	0.11	0.09	0.12	0.06	2.94	3.32	4.84

December 31, 2023 calculation

Cash ratio = (Cash and cash equivalents + Short-term investments) ÷ Total current liabilities
= ($9,723K + $—K) ÷ $342,974K
= 0.03

The cash ratio of SJW Group has shown fluctuations over the past eight quarters. The cash ratio measures the company's ability to cover its short-term liabilities using its cash and cash equivalents alone. A higher cash ratio indicates a stronger ability to cover short-term obligations without relying on other current assets or external financing.

In Q1 2023, the cash ratio was at its highest at 0.46, indicating that SJW Group had a significant amount of cash readily available to cover its short-term liabilities. However, this ratio decreased in subsequent quarters, reaching its lowest point in Q3 2022 at 0.08.

The overall trend of the cash ratio for SJW Group suggests some volatility in the company's ability to cover its short-term liabilities with cash on hand. It is important for investors and stakeholders to monitor this ratio closely to assess the company's liquidity position and ability to meet its financial obligations in the short term.