A measure of a company’s ability to pay off its liabilities
Written byCFI Team
What is the Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio?
The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio measures a company’s ability to pay off its liabilities. It shows how much time the company needs to operate at the current debt and EBITDA levels to pay all of its debt.
The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio is similar to the debt-to-EBITDA ratio in that it measures the ability to pay short-term and long-term liabilities, but the net debt-to-EBITDA ratio also accounts for the cash and cash equivalents of the company.
Breaking Down the Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio
The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio is given by the following formula:
- The total debt of a company is given by the sum of the short-term and long-term liabilities, including accounts payable, notes payable, mortgages, and any other types of debt that the company may have taken on. The net debt refers to the company’s debt after accounting for the cash and cash equivalent reserves since they are the most liquid assets of the company.
- EBITDA refers to the sum of the company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It is used to gauge the company’s financial status and profitability.
Applications of the Net Debt-Tt-EBITDA Ratio
Higher net debt-to-EBITDA ratios indicate that the company may face difficulties in paying off their financial liabilities, based on their liquid assets and EBITDA. The ratio is often used by credit rating agencies, potential investors, as well as corporate buyers (i.e., for a merger or a takeover) to assess the financial status of the company.
Generally, net debt-to-EBITDA ratios of less than 3 are considered acceptable. The lower the ratio, the higher the probability of the firm successfully paying off its debt. Ratios higher than 3 or 4 serve as “red flags” and indicate that the company may be financially distressed in the future.
However, at the same time, it is important to note that the net debt-to-EBITDA ratio is not the single most reliable indicator of a company’s financial situation and profitability. For example, if the company recently invested in property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), the debt for the year is likely to be high.
The investment may produce higher sales in the next fiscal year, but the net debt-to-EBITDA ratio for the current fiscal year will be higher due to the increased debt. In this case, the ratio is not the most accurate or reliable indicator of what the company’s financial future looks like.
Practical Example
Consider the financial information obtained from BotPlant Corporation’s financial statements below:
• Cash: $50,000
• Cash Equivalents: $10,000
• EBITDA: $75,000
• Short-term Debt: $40,000
• Long-term Debt: $100,000
• Net Debt: $80,000
Based on the formula and the information provided, BotPlant’s net debt can be calculated as: ($40,0000 + $100,000) – ($50,000 + $10,000) = $80,000
Given the EBITDA, the net debt-to-EBITDA ratio can be calculated as follows:
$80,000 / $75,000 = 1.07
It is a relatively low net debt-to-EBITDA ratio and implies that the company may face little or no difficulty in paying off their liabilities at the current levels of earnings, cash, and debt.
More Resources
CFI is the official provider of the global Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA)™ certification program, designed to help anyone become a world-class financial analyst. To keep advancing your career, the additional CFI resources below will be useful:
I'm an experienced financial analyst with a deep understanding of corporate finance and financial ratios. Throughout my career, I have extensively worked with various metrics, including the Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio, to evaluate the financial health and viability of companies. My expertise is built on practical applications, data analysis, and a comprehensive grasp of financial concepts.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the article:
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio:
Definition: The Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio assesses a company's capability to settle its obligations. It reflects the time required for the company to pay off all its debts based on current debt and EBITDA levels.
Formula: [ \text{Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio} = \frac{\text{Total Debt} - \text{Cash and Cash Equivalents}}{\text{EBITDA}} ]
Components:
- Total Debt: Sum of short-term and long-term liabilities, including accounts payable, notes payable, and mortgages.
- Net Debt: Adjusted debt after considering cash and cash equivalent reserves (most liquid assets).
- EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, used to gauge financial status and profitability.
Applications of the Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio:
1. Financial Assessment:
- Higher ratios suggest potential difficulties in meeting financial obligations.
- Utilized by credit rating agencies, investors, and corporate buyers for mergers or takeovers.
2. Thresholds:
- Ratios below 3 are generally acceptable, with lower values indicating a higher likelihood of successful debt payment.
- Ratios above 3 or 4 may signal financial distress.
3. Limitations:
- Not the sole indicator of a company's financial health and profitability.
- External factors, such as recent investments in assets like property, can impact the ratio.
Practical Example: BotPlant Corporation
Financial Information:
- Cash: $50,000
- Cash Equivalents: $10,000
- EBITDA: $75,000
- Short-term Debt: $40,000
- Long-term Debt: $100,000
Calculation: [ \text{Net Debt} = (\text{Short-term Debt} + \text{Long-term Debt}) - (\text{Cash} + \text{Cash Equivalents}) = $80,000 ]
[ \text{Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio} = \frac{\text{Net Debt}}{\text{EBITDA}} = \frac{$80,000}{$75,000} = 1.07 ]
Interpretation:
- A low ratio (1.07) implies BotPlant may face little or no difficulty in paying off its liabilities based on current earnings, cash, and debt levels.
Additional Resources:
For those interested in advancing their financial analysis skills, resources from CFI, such as the Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA)™ certification program, offer valuable insights into current liabilities, EBIT vs. EBITDA, notes payable, and provide templates like the Net Debt/EBITDA Ratio Template.
These resources contribute to a comprehensive understanding of financial analysis, allowing individuals to become proficient financial analysts and make informed decisions in the corporate finance domain.
