interest earned ratio

What Is The Times Interest Earned Ratio?

The interest earned ratio stands as a gauge, gauging a company’s prowess in meeting its debt obligations by hinging on its present income. The formula for a company’s TIE number involves dividing earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) by the aggregate interest payable on bonds and other forms of debt.

  • A company’s TIE lays bare its ability to settle its debts.
  • An enhanced TIE figure signifies a company’s possession of sufficient cash post-debt settlements, enabling ongoing investments in its ventures.
  • The TIE formula computes earnings before interest and taxes divided by the total interest payable on debt.

Knowing The Details Of The Times Interest Earned (TIE) Ratio

Knowing The Details of the Times Interest Earned (TIE) Ratio

Certainly, a company need not overly cover its debts to ensure survival. Nevertheless, the interest earned ratio serves as a marker of a company’s relative liberation from the shackles of debt. 

The ability to generate ample cash flow, sustaining business investments, transcends merely having enough funds to avert bankruptcy. A company’s capitalization, the funds amassed through stock or debt issuances, wields influence over its TIE ratio. 

The deliberation of capital costs for stock and debt becomes a linchpin in decision-making processes.

How To Calculate Times Interest Earned (TIE)?

How To Calculate Times Interest Earned (TIE)

Consider a fictitious case where A Company grapples with $10 million and in 4% debt an equivalent sum in common stock with the intent to procure additional capital for equipment acquisition. The cost of capital for additional debt issuance levies an annual interest rate of 6%. 

Shareholders anticipate an interest earned ratio annual dividend at an 8% rate, coupled with stock price growth. Companies maintaining steady earnings, such as utilities, often lean towards increased borrowing, using their solid credit standing. 

In the case of A Company choosing to issue an extra $10 million in debt, the annual interest outlay becomes (4% x $10 million) + (6% x $10 million), totaling $1 million annually. With an EBIT of $3 million,A Company’s TIE ratio surfaces at 3, signifying thrice the annual interest expense.

Integrating Steady Earnings Into The Equation

As a principle, entities consistently yielding annual earnings are likely to bear a higher proportion of debt relative to total capitalization. 

A history of reliable earnings positions a company as a favorable credit risk in the eyes of lenders. Utility companies, for instance, boasting consistent earnings, significantly rely on debt issuances for capital infusion.

Bottomline:

Bottomline

Contrastingly, startup businesses and enterprises that face erratic earnings mainly resort to stock issuances for their interest earned ratio capital needs. As a company establishes a track record of unwavering earnings, the avenue of debt offerings may open up alongside equity channels.

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