Net Operating Income vs. EBITDA: The Difference and What It Means

4 mins read
by Angel One

Net Operating Income vs EBITDA

There are various relevant measures to check when evaluating a company’s financial success. Net operating income, which is profit-less operating expenses, and EBITDA, are two of the most important. When both are considered together, a more comprehensive picture of a company’s financial performance and prospects emerges. We’ll look at both indicators to see how they might be used to evaluate a company’s success.

EBITDA

EBITDA may be calculated in two ways. The first step is to calculate net income, often known as net profit. After all sales and costs have been accounted for, this is the traditional “bottom line,” the final number at the bottom of the income statement. It is the difference between a company’s profits and its business and operational expenditures. Starting with net income, subtract any expenditures for taxes, interest, amortization and depreciation to arrive at EBITDA. Interest on loans is included in interest. Taxes are any income or other taxes paid by the firm throughout the time period.

Depreciation is an intangible asset. It accounts for the depreciation of the company’s assets over time. Another non-cash factor is amortization, which is the amount by which loan amounts are lowered when the firm repays its loans. EBITDA may also be calculated by subtracting depreciation and amortization from the earnings before interest and taxes amount. EBIT is a commonly used financial metric that adds interest and tax expenditures to net income.

EBITDA differs from EBIT in that it adds back amounts for depreciation and amortization, as shown in the calculation. EBITDA varies from operating income in that it includes certain expenditures in the net income calculation.

Key Differences Between Net Income vs EBITDA

The use of interest and taxes is the primary distinction between operating income and EBITDA. EBITDA is a metric that determines a company’s profit before deducting costs, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Running income, on the other hand, is a metric that assesses a company’s profit after all operating costs have been paid. Interest and taxes are not included.

EBITDA is a metric that is used to determine a company’s entire earning potential. The revenue earned by the firm that may be transformed into profit is known as operating income. Under GAAP, EBITDA is not a recognized metric. As a result, firms utilize this to estimate the company’s earning capability to its utmost level. Operating income, on the other hand, is a GAAP-compliant figure that cannot be adjusted by the firms.

EBITDA is widely used because it can be used for businesses of various sizes. EBITDA may also be used to compare and assess businesses. Operating income, on the other hand, is money derived from operations. The portion of revenue from other sources is the fundamental difference between operational income and net income.

EBITDA is calculated by multiplying EBIT by amortization and depreciation. It may also be computed by combining net profit with interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. On the other side, operational income is computed by deducting operating expenditures from gross revenue.

Wrapping Up

Operating vs. EBITDA Income indicators are used to determine a company’s capacity to make a profit. EBITDA assesses a company’s ability to generate revenue. Operating income is concerned with revenue that can be converted into profit.

When making a choice as an investor, you must weigh Net Operating Income vs. EBITDA. However, these two indications are insufficient to make an informed decision regarding a company’s financial health. You could also look at other ratios to get a better idea of how the organization is operated. Looking at all of the other ratios will help you grasp the company’s overall picture so you can make an informed investment choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is EBITDA and gross profit the same thing?

The profit a corporation generates after eliminating the expenses connected with creating its goods or delivering its services shows on its income statement as gross profit. EBITDA is a measure of a company’s profitability that indicates profits before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Is it preferable to have a larger or lower EBITDA?

When evaluating the efficacy of a company’s cost-cutting measures, calculating its EBITDA margin is useful. The smaller a company’s operational expenditures are in proportion to overall revenue, the better its EBITDA margin.

What is the difference between operating and net income?

Revenue minus any operational expenditures is operating income, whereas net income equals operating income minus any additional non-operating expenses like interest and taxes. Selling, general and administrative expenditures, and depreciation and amortization are all included in operating income.