Influencia de la liquidez y el apalancamiento en el desempeño financiero del sector asegurador del Ecuador

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the influence of liquidity and leverage on financial performance, measured by Return on Assets (ROA), in Ecuadorian insurance companies during the period 2020-2024, considering the importance of this sector to the Ecuadorian economy. The methodology employed was quantitative and correlational; the selected sample consisted of large companies in the sector. Data were obtained from financial statements published on the website of the Superintendency of Companies, Securities and Insurance. A descriptive analysis and scatter plots were developed, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was estimated and presented in the correlation matrix. The results show that current liquidity has a weak and negative relationship with ROA, suggesting that high levels of liquidity are not necessarily associated with better financial performance. Financial leverage, for its part, shows a positive, albeit weak, relationship with financial performance, indicating that moderate debt levels could be associated with a slight improvement in profitability. Likewise, a strong inverse relationship was identified between liquidity and financial leverage. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the relationship between liquidity, financial leverage, and financial performance is limited when these variables are analyzed individually, highlighting the importance of evaluating them holistically for proper financial management in the Ecuadorian insurance sector.