Aswath Damodaran 356
Interest Coverage Ratios, Spreads and Ratings: Small Firms
Interest Coverage Ratio Rating Spread over T Bond Rate
> 12. 5 AAA 0. 35 %
9. 50 - 12. 50 AA 0. 50 %
7. 5 - 9. 5 A+ 0. 70 %
6. 0 - 7. 5 A 0. 85 %
4. 5 - 6. 0 A- 1. 00 %
4. 0 - 4. 5 BBB 1. 50 %
3. 5 – 4. 0 BB+ 2. 00 %
3. 0 - 3. 5 BB 2. 50 %
2. 5 - 3. 0 B+ 3. 25 %
2. 0 - 2. 5 B 4. 00 %
1. 5 - 2. 0 B- 6. 00 %
1. 25 - 1. 5 CCC 8. 00 %
0. 8 - 1. 25 CC 10. 00 %
0. 5 - 0. 8 C 12. 00 %
< 0. 5 D 20. 00 %
Note that smaller firms need much higher interest coverage ratios to get the same
ratings as large firms.
