Can you use CAGR for Ebitda?

Asked by: Aleen Kuhic  |  Last update: September 1, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (59 votes)

In financial models, the CAGR is calculated for important operational metrics such as EBITDA, and also for capital expenditures (capex) and revenue. Also, the CAGR can be used for the forecasting of future growth rates.

How to calculate CAGR for EBITDA?

EBITDA CAGR means the compound annual five year growth rate in EBITDA during the Term determined using the formula: EBITDA CAGR = (Ending Year EBITDA/Base Year EBITDA)^(1/5)-1.

When should you not use CAGR?

CAGR limitations to keep in mind
  1. It doesn't account for investment volatility. ...
  2. It doesn't account for added funds in an investment portfolio. ...
  3. It can only be used to compare identical time periods. ...
  4. It is less reliable for shorter investment periods.

What can you use CAGR for?

It measures a smoothed rate of return. Investors can compare the CAGR of two or more alternatives to evaluate how well one stock performed against other stocks in a peer group or a market index. CAGR is thus a good way to evaluate how different investments have performed over time, or against a benchmark.

Can you use CAGR for net income?

CAGR can also be calculated for other demographic factors such as disposable income, net worth, and home value. In Arkansas, for example, the 2022-2027 CAGR for median household income is 2.6% – although this measure ranges by county from more than 5% to less than 1%.

CAGR explained

33 related questions found

What are the limitations of CAGR?

Another limitation when assessing investments with CAGR is that investors cannot assume the same rate of return will occur in the future. Like every other statistical ratio for calculating investment performance, past returns calculated through the CAGR method are not guaranteed for the future.

Can CAGR be used for expenses?

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is one of the most frequently used metrics in financial analysis and financial modeling. In financial models, the CAGR is calculated for important operational metrics such as EBITDA, and also for capital expenditures (capex) and revenue.

What is the downside of CAGR?

Disadvantage of CAGR: Smoothing and Risk

One disadvantage of the Compound Annual Growth Rate is that it assumes growth to be constant throughout the investment's time horizon. This smoothing mechanism may yield results that differ from the actual situation with a highly volatile investment.

What can I use instead of CAGR?

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

IRR is useful when cash is added or withdrawn at different times, like in real estate or project financing. Unlike CAGR, it takes into account uneven cash flows and the timing of when money comes in and goes out. IRR usually requires software like Excel to calculate.

Why CAGR is better than average?

CAGR is better than a simple average because it accounts for the compounding effect, providing a more accurate measure of growth over time. A simple average might ignore the compounding returns and fluctuations in the investment's performance, potentially leading to misleading conclusions about growth rates.

What is the CAGR rule?

Calculate the total number of years or periods over which the growth occurred. Use the formula: CAGR = (Ending Value / Starting Value) ^(1 / Number of Years) – 1. Multiply the result by 100 to express the CAGR as a percentage.

What is the rule of 72 for CAGR?

What is the Rule of 72? Here's how it works: Divide 72 by your expected annual interest rate (as a percentage, not a decimal). The answer is roughly the number of years it will take for your money to double. For example, if your investment earns 4 percent a year, it would take about 72 / 4 = 18 years to double.

How to use CAGR to forecast revenue?

Forecasting future values based on the CAGR of a data series (you find future values by multiplying the last datum of the series by (1 + CAGR) as many times as years required). As with every forecasting method, this method has a calculation error associated.

How do I calculate my EBITDA?

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) is a measure of core corporate profitability. EBITDA is calculated by adding interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization expenses to net income.

What is the difference between absolute return and CAGR?

Absolute return measures the total gain or loss of an investment over a specific period. In contrast, CAGR shows the average annual growth rate, offering a smoother view of performance over time. Absolute return and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) are essential metrics for evaluating investment performance.

What is a good EBITDA margin?

The formula to calculate the EBITDA margin divides EBITDA by net revenue in the corresponding period. A “good” EBITDA margin is industry-specific, however, an EBITDA margin in excess of 10% is perceived positively by most.

Is CAGR only for revenue?

CAGR is defined as the annualized growth rate in the value of a financial metric – such as revenue and EBITDA – or an investment across a specified period. CAGR is calculated to measure the rate of change, expressed on an annual basis, wherein the effects of compounding are factored into the growth rate metric.

What is the difference between ROI and CAGR?

There are several differences between a compound annual growth rate and return on investment. Firstly, CAGR is used to find the growth rate of an investment of a company per year whereas ROI can be used for different time periods. This can make ROI more accurate than CAGR when calculating profit for an investment.

Is 25% CAGR good?

A fund showing 25% CAGR over 10 years may stabilize closer to average market returns, possibly between 12% and 15%, over 25 years. It is wise to assume moderate returns rather than extrapolating the past performance linearly.

Which industry has the highest CAGR?

Global Fastest Growing Industries in 2025
  • Global Tourism. ...
  • Global Airlines. ...
  • Global Semiconductor & Electronic Parts Manufacturing. ...
  • Global Marine & Container Terminal Operation. ...
  • Global Respiratory Ventilator Manufacturing. ...
  • Global HR & Recruitment Services. ...
  • Global Biotechnology. ...
  • Global Hotels & Resorts.

How to calculate a 5 year CAGR in Excel?

To calculate a 5-year CAGR, you must enter 5 for the number of years in the CAGR formula which is = (Ending Value / Beginning Value)^(1 / Number of Years) – 1.

Is CAGR the same as annualized return?

What is CAGR? CAGR, or Compound Annual Growth Rate, measures the rate of return of an investment over a certain period, in percentage terms. In other words, CAGR is the imaginary growth rate at which an investment is expected to grow steadily on an annually compounded basis. CAGR is also known as an annualised return.

What is the alternative to CAGR?

While other metrics that are used to measure the growth of an investment include:
  • Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR)
  • Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
  • Return on Investment (ROI)
  • Total Return.
  • Sortino Ratio.
  • Treynor Ratio.
  • Sharpe Ratio.

Is CAGR inclusive of expense ratio?

Yes, it does. For the common investor, TER or expense ratio is a non-issue, especially in India. All NAVs and CAGRs are calculated after deducting or accounting for the expense ratio.

What is the capex CAGR?

The Capital Expenditure 3 Year Compound Growth Rate, or CAGR, measures how quickly a company has been increasing its Capital Expenditure. It is measured as the percentage change in Book Value Per Share over a given time frame.