EBITDA and EBIT

Hi guys, needed some help regarding EBIT and EBITDA please.

I get EBITDA = EBIT + DA.

Could you please explain why EBITDA is independent of capital structure, i.e. it is used to find enterprise value and not equity value.

And similarly how is EBIT dependent on the capital structure, i.e. why it's used to find equity value and not enterprise value.

The difference is depreciation and amortisation, don't see how this is entirely related to capital structure. I think I'm missing out on something.

Thanks in advance! :)

5 Comments
 

EBIT and EBITDA are both used in enterprise value multiples, not equity value. They both reflect the full capital structure because they exclude interest, so it's available to both debt and equity investors.

 
Best Response

Using EBIT vs EBITDA has nothing to do with capital structure in the way of equity/debt - it has more to deal with the company's operating model (whether it is capital intensive, do they lease vs buy PP&E, etc).

The distinction you are thinking of is levered vs unlevered free cash flow. Levered free cash flow is FCF after interest payments and mandatory debt repayments, meaning the debt investors have been satisfied and that levered FCF is all for the equity investors. Hence, you use an equity/levered FCF multiple.

Unlevered is the opposite, it is FCF available to both debt & equity investors (meaning FCF before interest/mandatory debt repayment) so you would use a EV/unlevered FCF multiple.

 

You guys are too good. Thanks so much! Will try to go through this further. Thanks again. (I'll drop a quick message again if needed if that's okay :) ) Thank you!

 

First of all EBITDA != EBIT + DA. I always like to think that EBITDA is EBIT + Other non cash expenses.

Using them completely depends upon you - for example, I always enjoy using EBITDA for intensive capital industries as noncash expenses are non significant of company activity. As my peers above said, you might use operating income or EBITDA for unlevered or levered free cash flow.

If you have any other doubt feel free to ask, I would love to help!

 

Dolores mollitia reprehenderit qui perferendis voluptatibus accusantium qui. Aut aliquid in labore. Est quod aut ab accusamus culpa assumenda quod. Neque ut sed vel enim dolorem aut velit.

Expedita nihil ut eveniet vel. Id est ea necessitatibus repellendus quod voluptas odit. Ullam nobis et quis quam est. Dolor ad aut delectus est expedita. Animi voluptas placeat ipsa aut. Dolores aut a quos eum quae culpa.

Odit et omnis placeat et est et magnam dolor. Eligendi consequatur voluptatem tempore earum adipisci facilis. Corporis sed sunt est atque corporis autem. Nihil ex itaque alias dolores est.

Ea placeat rem quia aperiam ut. Adipisci rem quia ipsum iste autem. Ab labore dolores voluptas sapiente adipisci cumque modi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”