What does the DuPont equation decompose return on equity (ROE) into?

The DuPont equation breaks return on equity (ROE) into three key components to show how profitability, efficiency, and leverage interact to drive shareholder returns. The classic three-step DuPont formula expresses ROE as:

ROE = Net Profit Margin × Total Asset Turnover × Equity Multiplier (or leverage measure).

Net profit margin reflects operating and cost efficiency, total asset turnover measures how effectively assets generate sales, and the equity multiplier (closely related to the debt-to-equity ratio) captures the impact of financial leverage. This decomposition allows analysts and managers to identify whether changes in ROE are driven by margins, asset utilization, or financing decisions. Option D correctly aligns with this framework by identifying net margin and asset turnover along with a leverage measure (debt-to-equity). The other options include ratios not used in the DuPont framework or omit a critical component. The DuPont analysis is widely used in financial management to diagnose performance issues and guide strategic improvements.