Definition

A measure of a company’s ability to pay interest on its debt, calculated by dividing earnings by interest expenses.

What to consider

  • Examine the payment schedule to understand the long-term costs.
  • Consider how the payment structure fits your cash flow.
  • Review the overall cost compared to paying upfront.

Real world scenarios

  • Before approving a business loan, the bank reviewed the company’s interest coverage ratio to ensure it could comfortably meet its interest payments.

Related terms

Investments & Retirement