Answer:
a) An increase
Step-by-step explanation:
The times interest earned ratio is a ratio that measures the portion of the income or earning that can be used to pay for future interest expenses. Times interest earned ratio is also known as the coverage ratio and it can be computed using the following formula:
Times interest earned ratio = EBIT / Interest expense .............. (1)
Where EBIT denotes earning before interest and tax.
From equation, it can be seen that there is a negative relationship between times interest earned and interest expense. That is, as interest expense increases, times interest earned falls. On the other hand, as interest expense falls, times interest earned increases.
Therefore, the correct option is a) An increase, that is a company with a decreasing interest expense would see an increase to its times interest earned.