Asset coverage ratio

Definition

The asset coverage ratio is a financial metric used to assess a company’s ability to cover its debts and obligations with its available assets.

What is an asset coverage ratio?

It’s an important indicator of financial health, particularly for lenders and investors, as it provides insight into a company’s capacity to meet its financial commitments.

The asset coverage ratio is calculated using the following formula:

Asset coverage ratio = total assets / total liabilities 

It measures how many times a company’s assets could theoretically cover its liabilities.

Lenders and creditors, such as banks or bondholders, are particularly interested in this ratio. It helps them assess the level of security they have in case the company faces financial difficulties.

A higher asset coverage ratio indicates a stronger ability to cover liabilities. A ratio of 2 or higher is generally considered healthy, meaning the company’s assets are at least twice the value of its liabilities. A lower ratio may signal higher financial risk, as it suggests that the company may have difficulty meeting its obligations if faced with financial challenges.

While the asset coverage ratio is a valuable metric, it’s important to use it in conjunction with other financial indicators for a comprehensive evaluation of a company’s financial health. Additionally, it doesn’t provide insight into the quality or liquidity of specific assets.

Example of asset coverage ratio

1. Financial information:
   • XYZ Corporation has the following financial information on its balance sheet:
     • Total assets: £2,000,000
     • Intangible assets: £200,000
     • Total debt: £800,000
2. Calculation of asset coverage ratio:
   

   Using the formula, the asset coverage ratio is calculated as:
   Asset coverage ratio = (£2,000,000 − £200,000) / £800,000 = £1,200,000 / £800,000 = 2,25 
   The asset coverage ratio for XYZ Corporation is 2.25, indicating that the company’s total assets, excluding intangible assets, cover its total debt 2.25 times.