The ZDP cover ratio / Zero Dividend Preference share cover ratio is an indicator of the likelihood of a split capital company being able to repay its zero dividend preference shares (ZDPs) when they fall due. The method of calculation varies from firm to firm but, for the purposes of producing our monthly sheet on zeros we have adopted the following method.
1) take the gross assets of the company (based on the latest available net asset value including accrued income) and adding back bank debt
2) deduct bank debt (unless it specifically ranks below the zeros – but this is unlikely)
3) deduct the final capital entitlement of any prior ranking zero dividend preference share issues
4) divide the resultant number by the final capital entitlement of the ZDP issue for which you want to calculate the ZDP cover ratio
Some other measures of ZDP cover try to adjust the calculation for management fees, interest on debt and estimated wind up costs. We think this gives a spurious accuracy (since it is hard to forecast some of these expenses) to what is really only just a rough guide to whether the zero will easily be repaid out of available assets when it falls due.
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