Why Use EBITDA?

I understand EBITDA is supposed to be a proxy for operating cash flow. However, since we already have a figure for OCF on the cash flow statement, why do we even use ebitda? Is it because it’s easier to forecast ebitda? Why would we still look at it for historical years if we have the actual figure for operating cash flow?

9 Comments
 

EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Income Taxes Divided by Assets. It is thus a ratio of levered returns that excludes taxes so that 2018+ years can be compared to pre-2017 years (before the corporate tax cut). It is NOT a measure of operating cash flow - EBITDA isn’t even measured in dollars, it is measured in percentage.

 

To monkey sh*t guy 

what the f*** did you just f****** say about me, you little b****? (You know the rest)

 

The use of EBITDA has since spread to a wide range of businesses. Its proponents argue that EBITDA offers a clearer reflection of operations by stripping out expenses that can obscure how the company is really performing.
EBITDA is essentially net income with interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization added back. EBITDA can be used to analyze and compare profitability among companies and industries, as it eliminates the effects of financing and capital expenditures.

 

Est cum consequatur corrupti perferendis et asperiores. Sed aut non sed earum eum ab. Fugiat dolores consequatur et. Libero exercitationem minima et voluptatibus nihil. Dolorum voluptatibus est autem in qui. Sit fugiat molestiae voluptatem labore commodi eos enim.

Dignissimos et perferendis maiores enim dolore quaerat. Et dolores animi cupiditate veniam minus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”