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Intrinsic value & DCF

EV / EBIT EV/EBIT

Enterprise value divided by operating profit — a debt-aware way to compare how expensive companies are.

Part of the Valuation 101 course · Lesson 10 of 14
Formula
EV/EBIT = (Market Cap + Total Debt + Preferred - Cash) / EBIT

What it is

EV/EBIT compares a company's enterprise value (its equity plus net debt) to its operating profit before interest and taxes. Because the numerator includes debt and the denominator is pre-interest, it values the whole business consistently. It is a popular multiple for comparing companies with different capital structures, more so than the equity-only price-to-earnings ratio.

Why it matters

Unlike P/E, EV/EBIT is not distorted by how much debt a company carries or by differing tax situations, so it allows fairer comparison across peers. A lower EV/EBIT generally signals a cheaper valuation, though it must be read against growth, returns on capital, and industry norms.

How it's calculated

Compute enterprise value as market capitalization plus total debt and preferred equity, minus cash and equivalents, then divide by EBIT (operating income) for the period. Use a consistent period for both, typically trailing twelve months or a forward estimate.

How Quintarthai uses it

EV/EBIT and related enterprise-value multiples are shown on each company's Ratios tab, where you can also screen and rank the universe by valuation multiples.

Cross-border note. When comparing a Canadian and a US peer, make sure both EV and EBIT are in the same currency before computing the ratio. Differences in tax regimes do not affect EV/EBIT directly, which is part of why it travels well across borders.

FAQ

Why use EV/EBIT instead of the P/E ratio?
P/E is affected by leverage and tax rates because it uses net income and only the equity value. EV/EBIT looks at the whole enterprise and pre-interest profit, so it compares companies with different debt loads more fairly.
Is a low EV/EBIT always good?
No. A low multiple can reflect genuine cheapness or it can signal weak growth, declining returns, or higher risk. Always compare against peers and the company's own history before concluding it is a bargain.
Related terms
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