BAJAJ FINSERV DIRECT LIMITED
Lending Insight

What is EBITDA - Full Form, Definition, Formula & Calculation

authour img
Aakash Jain

Table of Contents

What is EBITDA

EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation. It is a measure of the overall financial performance of a company and is used as an alternative to net income in some circumstances. EBITDA strips out the cost of debt capital and its tax effects by adding back interest and taxes to earnings. 

It also eliminates depreciation and amortisation, which can vary significantly between companies due to different accounting methods and asset ages. In simple terms, it shows the earnings a business makes purely from its operational activities, making it a key indicator of operational efficiency and profitability.

How is EBITDA Calculated

Calculating EBITDA involves adjusting the net income by adding back interest expenses, tax expenses, depreciation, and amortisation. The EBITDA formula can be framed as: 

EBITDA = Net Income + Interest + Taxes + Depreciation + Amortisation

Alternatively, it can be derived from operating profit (EBIT) by adding back depreciation and amortisation: 

EBITDA = Operating Profit (EBIT) + Depreciation + Amortisation

Both EBITDA formulas aim to assess a company's profitability by focusing on earnings before the influence of financing and accounting decisions.

Example of EBITDA Calculation

To better understand the calculation of EBITDA, consider the following example of a company’s financials for a fiscal year:

Financial Item

Amount (₹)

Net Profit

50,00,000

Interest Expense

5,00,000

Tax Expense

10,00,000

Depreciation

3,00,000

Amortisation

2,00,000

Using the first formula to calculate EBITDA: 

EBITDA = Net Income + Interest + Taxes + Depreciation + Amortisation 

  = 50,00,000 + 5,00,000 + 10,00,000 + 3,00,000 + 2,00,000 = 70,00,000 

Thus, the EBITDA for this company is ₹70,00,000, reflecting earnings from core operations before accounting for financing and accounting costs.

What is EBITDA Margin?

EBITDA Margin is a profitability ratio which measures EBITDA as a percentage of the total revenue. It indicates how much operating cash is generated for each unit of revenue. It is calculated as: 

EBITDA Margin = (EBITDA / Total Revenue) × 100

This margin helps stakeholders understand how efficiently a company is managing its operating expenses relative to its total revenue. A higher EBITDA margin indicates better operational efficiency and profitability. This formula removes the effects of different tax rates and capital structures. Hence, it can be useful to compare companies within the same industry or sector.

EBITDA vs EBIT vs EBT

These three financial metrics are related but differ in what they measure: 

  • EBT (Earnings Before Taxes): Shows profit before tax deductions but after interest expenses. 

  • EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes): Reflects operating profit by excluding interest and taxes but includes depreciation and amortisation. 

  • EBITDA: Further adds back depreciation and amortisation to EBIT, focusing purely on operational cash earnings.

Metric

Includes

Excludes

Purpose

EBT

Net profit before tax

Taxes only

Measures profitability before tax

EBIT

Operating profit including depreciation & amortisation

Interest, Taxes

Measures operating profitability

EBITDA

EBIT + Depreciation + Amortisation

Interest, Taxes, Non-cash charges

Measures operational cash profitability

This comparison clarifies how EBITDA isolates operational earnings by excluding non-cash and financing costs, unlike EBIT and EBT.

EBITDA vs. Operating Cash Flow

While EBITDA and operating cash flow both assess operational performance, they differ fundamentally: 

  • EBITDA: Acts an accounting measure that excludes non-cash expenses but does not consider changes in working capital. 

  • Operating Cash Flow: Reflects actual cash generated from operations, including working capital changes.

Aspect

EBITDA

Operating Cash Flow

Includes

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation

Cash generated from operations including working capital

Excludes

Working capital changes

Non-cash expenses

Purpose

Measure operational profitability

Measure actual cash liquidity

Thus, EBITDA is useful for profitability analysis, while operating cash flow is better for assessing liquidity and cash generation.

EBITDA Coverage Ratio

The EBITDA coverage ratio measures a company’s ability to meet its debt obligations using its EBITDA. It is calculated as: 

EBITDA Coverage Ratio = EBITDA / Interest Expense

A higher ratio indicates stronger capacity to cover interest payments, signalling lower financial risk. This ratio is crucial for lenders and investors evaluating creditworthiness and financial stability.

EBITDA vs Net Income

Net income is the bottom-line profit after all expenses have been deducted. EBITDA, by contrast, excludes interest, taxes, and non-cash charges, focusing on operating profitability.

Metric

Includes

Excludes

Use Case

EBITDA

Operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation

Financing and tax expenses, non-cash charges

Assess operational performance

Net Income

All expenses including interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation

None

Measure overall profitability

Net income provides a complete picture of profitability, while EBITDA is preferred for operational analysis and comparing companies with different capital structures.

Advantages of EBITDA

EBITDA offers several benefits for business analysis: 

  • Simplifies Profitability Assessment: By excluding non-operating expenses, EBITDA offers a clear view of operational efficiency. 

  • Facilitates Comparisons: It allows comparison across companies and industries by neutralising effects of tax regimes and financing structures. 

  • Focuses on Cash Earnings: EBITDA highlights cash-generating ability from core operations, important for lenders and investors. 

  • Useful for Valuation: EBITDA is often used in valuation multiples to estimate company worth. 

  • Helps in Debt Analysis: It assists in evaluating debt servicing capacity through coverage ratios.

Disadvantages of EBITDA

Despite its usefulness, EBITDA has limitations: 

  • Ignores Capital Expenditures: It does not account for cash outflows needed to maintain or grow assets. 

  • Overlooks Working Capital: Changes in receivables, payables, and inventory are excluded, which affect cash flow. 

  • Can Mislead on Profitability: Excluding interest and taxes may paint an overly optimistic picture. 

  • Non-GAAP Metric: As it is not a standard accounting measure, the definition of EBITDA might vary. 

  • May Mask Financial Risks: Ignoring debt costs can hide leverage and solvency issues. 

Frequently Asked Questions

EBITDA
What is a good EBITDA?

A good EBITDA tends to vary by industry but generally indicates healthy operational profitability and cash flow. Higher EBITDA relative to revenue and interest expenses suggests strong financial health.

EBITDA helps isolate operational performance by removing effects of financing and accounting choices, making it vital for investors and lenders to assess core profitability.

The EBITDA multiple is a valuation ratio comparing enterprise value to EBITDA, used to assess company worth relative to earnings.

No, gross profit is revenue minus cost of goods sold, while EBITDA means operating expenses minus the taxes, interest, depreciation, and amortisation.

Amortisation is the gradual write-off of intangible assets’ cost, added back in EBITDA as it is a non-cash expense.

View More
Author Image
Hi! I’m Aakash Jain
Blogger

Aakash is a seasoned marketing and finance professional with over five years of experience. With a unique blend of financial expertise and creative flair, he excels in crafting succinct, user-friendly content that empowers readers to make well-informed choices. Specialising in articles, blogs, and website pages for loan products, Aakash is dedicated to simplifying complex concepts and delivering valuable insights that resonate with diverse audiences.

Most Viewed

4 Min Read | Posted on 31 May

3 Min Read | Posted on 31 May

3 Min Read | Posted on 31 May

4 Min Read | Posted on 31 May

Academy by Bajaj Markets

alt 10778

All Things Tax

Navigate the tax maze with ease! Uncover Income Tax 101, demystify jargon with Terms for Beginners, and choose between Old or New Regimes.

Seasons 6
Episodes 25
Durations 1.3 hrs
alt 6909

All Things Credit

Unlock the world of credit! From picking the perfect card to savvy loan management, navigate wisely.

Seasons 12
Episodes 56
Durations 3.0 hrs
alt 1538

Money Management and Financial Planning

Money Management and Financial Planning covers personal finance basics, setting goals, budgeting...

Seasons 5
Episodes 19
Durations 1.1 hrs
alt 1461

The Universe of Investments

Explore the investment cosmos! From beginner's guides to sharp-witted strategies, explore India's treasure trove of options.

Seasons 5
Episodes 23
Durations 1.5 hrs
alt 74

Insurance Handbook

Discover essential insights on various types of insurance in India.

Seasons 2
Episodes 6
Durations 0.5 hrs
alt 1223

Tech in Finance

Welcome to Tech in Finance, where we explore the exciting intersection of technology and finance...

Seasons 1
Episodes 5
Durations 0.3 hrs
Home
Home
ONDC_BD_StealDeals
Steal Deals
Credit Score
Credit Score
Accounts
Accounts
Explore
Explore

Our Products