Debt Capacity: Why does IG-Rating assumes Leverage <2,4/2,8; Why not 5 or 6? In search for the real explanation behind this num.

Hi friends,

I wondered why every Rating agency says, that in order to fall into Investmentgrade Rating scale, a company may not have a leverage of >2,4/2,8. I know, that this is "the market standard". Another explanation says, that for Investment Grade Rating a company must be able to repay its debt in 5-7y from its discounted FCFs.

I know all these numbers; but I never found the answer for where these numbers come from.

Can anybody here explain this to me?

Thank u very very much!!

2 Comments
 

the ratings agencies (and the banks) employ a bunch of quants statistically analyzing the relationship between corporate default rates and credit structures. those models spit out some number representing 'critical leverage', if you will, and that's what you see in their classification guidelines.

Array
 

Quasi autem molestiae fuga non fugit. Labore animi fuga molestiae. Rerum hic voluptatum illo ut ea a. Ut quia blanditiis ea ea.

Quaerat quod eius commodi voluptatem occaecati id. Libero et at esse. Deleniti officia veniam rerum et. Ut fuga dolore pariatur.

Ut similique laborum et est. Ducimus hic inventore assumenda consequatur quas voluptatem. In tempora corporis velit inventore nisi ea.

Vel quia quam et omnis. Exercitationem totam sed est enim. Occaecati officiis error vel aperiam aut laudantium sequi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 11 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”