The general pan-European rise in pension
liabilities led to some modification to
Fitch's financial ratio analysis with the
publication of its methodology report in
March 2003.2
This methodology was
devised as an approach for both funded
and unfunded pension liabilities. Ratio
adjustment is required on both leverage
(net debt to earnings before interest tax
depreciation and amortisation [EBITDA])
and coverage (EBITDA divided by
interest) to reflect this and is similar to
how the agency approaches other
liabilities, for example operating leases.