What Is Interest Cover Ratio?

Interest Coverage Ratios: A Key Parameter for Measuring Company Efficiency

The lower the ratio, the more debt the company has and the less capital it has to use. The ability to meet interest expenses may be questionable if the company's interest coverage ratio is less than 1.5. Staying above water with interest payments is a constant concern for any company.

If a company is struggling with its obligations, it may need to borrow more or use its cash reserve to invest in capital assets or for emergencies. The interest coverage ratio is a metric that can be used to gauge the efficiency of a business, but it comes with a set of limitations that are important for any investor to consider. It is important to note that interest coverage is very variable when measuring companies in different industries and even when measuring companies within the same industry.

An interest coverage ratio of two is an acceptable standard for established companies in certaindustries. Even with a relatively low interest coverage ratio, a well-established utility may be able to cover its interest payments because of its consistent production and revenue. Manufacturing is a volatile industry and may have a higher minimum acceptable interest coverage ratio.

A company can service its debts using its earnings or it can maintain a consistent level of revenues if it has a ratio above one. The minimum acceptable level for an interest coverage ratio is 1.5, but two or better is preferred by analysts and investors. The interest coverage ratio is not good for companies with more volatile revenues if it is less than three.

A Company with High Interest Coverage Ratios

A company with large current earnings is able to weather a temporary downturn in revenues. A company barely able to meet its interest obligations with current earnings is in a very precarious financial position as a slight dip in revenue may render it financially insolvent. A company with a low-interest coverage ratio is more likely to be unable to service its debt and be in danger of bankruptcy.

A low-interest coverage ratio means there is a low amount of profits available to meet the interest expense on the debt. The interest expense will rise if the company has variable-rate debt. A high ratio may mean the company is not using its debt properly, but it also means there are enough profits available to service the debt.

The Interest Coverage Ratio: A Red Flag?

The interest coverage ratio is a ratio that is used to determine how many times a company can pay its interest with the current earnings before interest and taxes of the company and is helpful in determining the company's liquidity position. Ideand Bharti Airtel have ratios on the lower side but not high enough to raise a red flag. A prudent investor who looks for more stability and security might choose to invest in a company like Tata Communications, whereas investors who are willing to take a bit more risk might choose to invest in a company like Bharti.

EBIT: An Estimate of Interest Coverage in a Company

A lower interest coverage ratio may show that a company is struggling to pay its interest, while a higher interest coverage ratio may show that a company can afford its debt. A higher interest coverage ratio shows that the company can afford additional interest expenses and can be used to secure loans. A company with a higher interest coverage ratio is more likely to attract investors because it suggests that the company is profitable and financially stable, and therefore a relatively low-risk investment.

EBIT stands for earnings before interest and taxes. The interest expense is the interest the company has paid on its debts. EBIT is a more accurate estimate of how much money a company has available to pay interest than net income.

If you used net income to calculate interest expenses, you would double-count them. The standard income coverage ratio is not perfect, but it is one of the biggest drawbacks. EBIAT has already had taxes subtracted and so may yield an interest coverage ratio that is more accurate.

EBIAT is an overly conservative measure of a company's earnings because it assumes the company will pay the full tax rate. Many companies get tax benefits from debt financing. If a company's profits are stable, it is more likely that lenders will loan to it, while if they are inconsistent, it is more likely that they will reject it.

A comparison of debt levels and funds in a company

Debt levels can be measured in relation to the funds a company has to cover those debts, though some are more comprehensive than others. The interest coverage ratio and the debt-service coverage ratio are two types of debt measurement ratios. Their calculations and interpretations differ in important ways.

Companies with higher ratios are considered more stable by investors. Banks are unlikely to lend money to a company with a DSCR of because they are struggling to make minimum payments. Both ratios can change dramatically as the company takes on new debt, pays off old debt or experiences revenue fluctuations.

Debt Service Ratio: A Study of Interest Coverage and Deddensity Repayment

The ability of the company to proceed with the smooth functioning of debts, in addition to the associated interest payments or dividends, is a measure of coverage ratios. Coverage ratios are used by both the lender and the creditor to determine the financial standing of the borrower and to see if the borrower can meet its debts in a proper manner. The difference between Interest Coverage and Debt Service Ratio is that the interest coverage ratio is more important than the debt service ratio.

Debt Service Ratio is used by banks or financial institutions when they are approached by companies to get a loan approved The ideal Debt Service Coverage Ratio should be more than 2 or higher according to the general rule. The company would be able to pay off its debt without having to sell off any of its assets if the asset coverage ratio is greater than 1.