Leverage Ratio Formula:
From: | To: |
The Leverage Ratio is a financial metric that measures the amount of debt a company has relative to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). It indicates a company's ability to pay off its incurred debt.
The calculator uses the Leverage Ratio formula:
Where:
Explanation: This ratio helps assess a company's financial risk and leverage position by comparing its debt obligations to its operating performance.
Details: The Leverage Ratio is crucial for investors and creditors to evaluate a company's financial health, debt repayment capacity, and overall risk profile. A lower ratio generally indicates better financial stability.
Tips: Enter total debt and EBITDA in the same currency units. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is considered a good Leverage Ratio?
A: Generally, a ratio below 3-4 is considered acceptable, but this varies by industry. Lower ratios indicate less financial risk.
Q2: How does Leverage Ratio differ from Debt-to-Equity Ratio?
A: While both measure financial leverage, Debt-to-Equity compares debt to shareholders' equity, while Leverage Ratio compares debt to operating earnings.
Q3: Can Leverage Ratio be negative?
A: No, since both total debt and EBITDA should be positive values, the ratio cannot be negative. Negative EBITDA would make the ratio meaningless.
Q4: How often should Leverage Ratio be calculated?
A: It should be monitored regularly, typically quarterly or annually, to track changes in a company's financial leverage over time.
Q5: What are the limitations of the Leverage Ratio?
A: It doesn't account for variations in industry standards, company size, or economic cycles. It should be used alongside other financial metrics for comprehensive analysis.