Quick ratio is a liquidity metric that measures whether a company can cover its current liabilities using only its most liquid assets. It strips out inventory, which can be slow to turn into cash.
Quick ratio, also called the acid-test ratio, divides cash, marketable securities, and accounts receivable by current liabilities. A reading above 1.0 points to enough liquid cover for near-term bills, while a reading below 1.0 points to a possible shortfall.
Quick ratio is a stricter version of the current ratio. The current ratio counts all current assets, including inventory, against current liabilities. Quick ratio drops inventory and other slow-moving assets, so it gives a tighter read on whether a company can pay its bills without selling stock first.