EBITDA/Interest, Debt/Ebitda

Quick question -- for valuation purposes, you cannot have unlevered/levered or levered/unlevered ratios, correct? Meaning, either both numerator and denominator has to be levered(choice of capital structure) or unlevered(does not depend on cap structure)...but then why can you use EBITDA/Interest, since EBITDA is unlevered and interest is levered, or debt/ebitda? This many be a dumb question, but I really need clarity. Thank you so much.

 

to see how many times your ebitda can service your interest (headroom), also EBITDA - Capex is used. it's all a proxy for cashflow, so lazy people are using it for cash flow to interest service (not very useful if you have an amortizing loan though)

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

Don't forget working capital/tax when looking at the cashflow. I hate it when people lazily use EBITDA as a proxy for cashflows. Business need capex, they have working cap requirements and tend to need to pay tax otherwise they'll be rammed by the tax authorities. Whenever someone talks of EBITDA they need to really look at the cash conversion rate and the sustainability/stability of this.

 
ddp34:
Why isnt it useful if you have an amortizing loan Oreos? Thanks.
your fcf's ability to service interest is moot if you've got a phat ass repayment to service as well, hence why in that case you'd do an ADSCR. it's only really of value when you're assuming you're going to refi out of the debt and all you're worrying about is that you don't default on the interest / covenants
"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
ddp34:
Why isnt it useful if you have an amortizing loan Oreos? Thanks.

Because EBITDA is being used to represent cash flow purposes (like oreo says a "lazy way"), and amortizing loans would decrease ebitda and thus not reflect the proper leverage/coverage ratio (Limits the company's ability to invest in CAPEX because they are using cash flows to pay down debt (Loosely)

Fear is the greatest motivator. Motivation is what it takes to find profit.
 
Best Response
shark-monkey:
ddp34:
Why isnt it useful if you have an amortizing loan Oreos? Thanks.

Because EBITDA is being used to represent cash flow purposes (like oreo says a "lazy way"), and amortizing loans would decrease ebitda and thus not reflect the proper leverage/coverage ratio (Limits the company's ability to invest in CAPEX because they are using cash flows to pay down debt (Loosely)

amort. wouldn't decrease EBITDA, FCFequ yes, but not FCFdebt

and just for clarity (as stated) it decreases ability for capex only because the cash is needed further down the cash cascade, capex isn't after repayments

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

balls -- can you please explain that in depth? What do you mean by amortizing intangibles and how they are different than debt, and I thought amortizing loans occurs pre tax, as its a non cash expense and is tax-deductible?

HYaddict -- i really do not understand what you mean. I get some of it. Can you perhaps break it down, when you get a chance?

Sorry guys, I am really new to this, but I am eager to learn. Please excuse all my dumb questions. Thanks.

 

The amortization of intangibles is what you think of in the traditional sense of non-cash "D&A" that is added back to get to EBITDA , yada yada.

Amortization of debt on the other hand is a cash expense and it is not included on the income statement, you will see it on the cash flow statement as an outflow which in turn reduces the principal amount on the liabilities portion of the balance sheet. Some term loans will amortize over the life of the loan, meaning that incremental portions are paid back periodically over the life of the loan. Senior or sub notes on the other hand will have a "bullet payment", meaning that the entire principal will be paid back in full at maturity (ideally). Either way, only the interest paid on the debt is tax deductible.

 
balls.mahoney:
The amortization of intangibles is what you think of in the traditional sense of non-cash "D&A" that is added back to get to EBITDA , yada yada.
Amortization of debt on the other hand is a cash expense and it is not included on the income statement, you will see it on the cash flow statement as an outflow which in turn reduces the principal amount on the liabilities portion of the balance sheet. Some term loans will amortize over the life of the loan, meaning that incremental portions are paid back periodically over the life of the loan. Senior or sub notes on the other hand will have a "bullet payment", meaning that the entire principal will be paid back in full at maturity (ideally). Either way, only the interest paid on the debt is tax deductible.

largely correct, however senior debt (whether bank debt or debenture) and sub notes can also be structured as amortizing...in fact, quite a few subordination agreements include permitted payment clauses allowing for p&i payments provided no default

 

Minus error et illo. Dolor et accusantium iure eveniet.

Laudantium est quas impedit rerum ipsa. Non harum enim ex qui veritatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”