Adjusted EBITDA

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Definition of 'Adjusted EBITDA'

Adjusted EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, is a measure of a company's profitability. It is calculated by taking a company's net income and adding back interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA is often used as a proxy for cash flow from operations because it excludes non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization. This makes it a more useful measure for comparing companies with different capital structures and depreciation policies.

Adjusted EBITDA is also used as a valuation metric. Because it excludes non-cash expenses, it can be used to compare companies with different capital structures and depreciation policies. This makes it a more useful measure for valuing companies that are not yet profitable.

However, adjusted EBITDA is not without its limitations. For example, it does not take into account working capital requirements or capital expenditures. This can make it misleading for companies that are growing rapidly or that are making large investments in new equipment.

Additionally, adjusted EBITDA can be manipulated by companies that are trying to make their financial statements look more attractive. For example, companies can defer or accelerate depreciation and amortization charges, or they can use different accounting methods for calculating interest expense.

As a result, adjusted EBITDA should be used with caution. It is important to understand the limitations of the metric and to consider other factors when evaluating a company's financial performance.

Here are some additional points to keep in mind when using adjusted EBITDA:

* Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of cash flow from operations. It excludes non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, which can make it misleading for companies with different capital structures and depreciation policies.
* Adjusted EBITDA is often used as a valuation metric. However, it is important to understand the limitations of the metric and to consider other factors when evaluating a company's financial performance.
* Companies can manipulate adjusted EBITDA by deferring or accelerating depreciation and amortization charges, or by using different accounting methods for calculating interest expense.
* As a result, adjusted EBITDA should be used with caution. It is important to understand the limitations of the metric and to consider other factors when evaluating a company's financial performance.

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