Altman Z-Score
A predictive model created by Edward Altman in the 1960s. This model combines five different financial ratios to determine the likelihood of bankruptcy amongst companies.
Investopedia Commentary
Generally speaking, the lower the score, the higher the odds of bankruptcy. Companies with Z-Scores above 3 are considered to be healthy and, therefore, unlikely to enter bankruptcy. Scores in between 1.8 and 3 lie in a grey area.
This is a relatively accurate model -- real world application of the Z-Score successfully predicted 72% of corporate bankruptcies two years prior to these companies filing for Chapter 7.
Related Links
Z Marks The End
An Overview Of Corporate Bankruptcy
See also: Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy Risk, Chapter 11, Chapter 7
Also spelled: Z Score, z score