top of page

Analyzing Growth Metrics: Key Indicators Every Investor Should Know

Updated: Feb 13



When it comes to investing, understanding growth metrics is paramount. These metrics provide insights into a company's performance and its potential for future expansion. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, these indicators are crucial in assessing the viability of a potential investment. This article delves into the most essential growth metrics and provides examples to illustrate their importance.



Revenue Growth Rate


The revenue growth rate reveals how quickly a company's sales are increasing. It's like tracking the pace at which a runner is accelerating during a race. If the rate is positive, it shows the company is generating more sales than before. Conversely, a negative rate indicates a decline. Example: Imagine a startup named "TechNovelty" that made sales worth $1 million last year. This year, they reported sales of $1.2 million. This uptick suggests that "TechNovelty" experienced a boost in sales, showing potential for further growth.


Earnings Growth Rate


This rate tells us about the rise or fall in a company's profits. Just as the revenue growth rate looks at sales, the earnings growth rate focuses on net income. A positive rate implies increasing profits, while a negative one denotes a decline. Example: Let's return to "TechNovelty." Last year, after deducting all expenses, they had a net income of $200,000. This year, their net income climbed to $240,000. This growth in earnings indicates that "TechNovelty" isn't just making more sales, but it's also retaining more profit.


Customer Growth Rate


This metric gauges how a company's customer base is expanding or contracting. For businesses where the number of customers directly impacts revenue (like subscription services or apps), this rate is crucial. A growing customer base usually signals market acceptance and potential future revenue growth. Example: Think of a new streaming service named "StreamFast." At the beginning of the year, they had 10,000 subscribers. By the end of the year, this number swelled to 12,000. This growth suggests that "StreamFast" is attracting more users, a positive sign for potential investors.


Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)


CAGR offers a smoothed-out perspective on growth over multiple years. Instead of showing the erratic ups and downs, CAGR provides an average growth rate that a company has maintained year-on-year. It's like looking at the average speed of a car over a long journey, regardless of the brief accelerations or halts. Example: Let's say you invested in stocks of "EcoGreen" five years ago, which was valued at $1,000. Now, those stocks are worth $2,000. This doubling in value over five years is reflected in a steady CAGR, indicating that "EcoGreen" has consistently grown over the period.


Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) Growth Rate


MRR growth rate is a vital metric for subscription-based businesses. It focuses on the monthly increase or decrease in subscription revenue. A rising MRR suggests more subscribers or higher subscription values, while a declining MRR can be a cause for concern. Example: Consider a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company named "CloudSync." In January, their total subscription revenue was $50,000. By February, this figure rose to $55,000. This increase showcases that "CloudSync" either attracted more users or existing users upgraded their plans.



The churn rate represents the percentage of customers or subscribers who stop using a company's product or service during a specific timeframe. A high churn rate could indicate customer dissatisfaction, while a low rate might suggest that a company is retaining its customers effectively. Example: Consider a fitness app named "FitLife." If they started the month with 10,000 subscribers but 500 unsubscribed by the end, then "FitLife" experienced a certain percentage of churn. If this trend continues, it may indicate deeper issues with the app or its offerings, making it a potential concern for investors.



CAC measures the average expense a company incurs to acquire a new customer. This includes marketing expenses, advertising, sales team expenditures, and more. If the CAC is rising faster than the revenue from new customers, it might indicate inefficiencies in the company's marketing or sales strategies. Example: "EcoShopper," an e-commerce startup, spent $100,000 on marketing last month and acquired 1,000 new customers. This means their CAC is $100. If each customer, on average, only brings in $80, "EcoShopper" might be spending too much to acquire customers and not earning enough in return.



LTV predicts the total revenue a business can reasonably expect from a single customer account. It considers the revenue the customer will bring to the business over the entire duration of their relationship. Ideally, a company's LTV should be higher than its CAC for sustainable growth. Example: If a user subscribes to "StreamFast" for an average of 3 years and pays $120 annually, their LTV is $360. If "StreamFast" spends less than this amount to acquire a new subscriber, they're on a profitable track.


Net Promoter Score (NPS)


NPS is a metric that gauges customer satisfaction and loyalty. Customers are asked how likely they are to recommend a company's product or service to others on a scale of 0-10. Those who respond with a score of 9 or 10 are considered 'Promoters', while those who respond with a score of 0 to 6 are labeled 'Detractors'. The NPS is then calculated by subtracting the percentage of Detractors from the percentage of Promoters. Example: After a recent product launch, "TechNovelty" surveyed 1,000 customers. 700 customers were Promoters, 200 were Passive (score of 7-8), and 100 were Detractors. The NPS would indicate a positive sentiment towards "TechNovelty's" product among its customers.


Growth metrics are invaluable compasses guiding investors through the vast sea of investment opportunities. They illuminate the health, potential, and trajectory of businesses. While the underlying calculations can be intricate, understanding the broad strokes – as we've outlined above – can significantly aid in making informed investment decisions. Always pair these metrics with comprehensive research for a rounded perspective on any investment opportunity.

13 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page