Yield on earning assets (YEA) is a foundational measure used to evaluate an entity's financial health. It is used to determine how well an entity is controlling its investments and investment strategies, thus positioning the entity in terms of potential assets and liabilities. Specifically, yield on earning assets compares the annual interest income yielded from the entity's earning assets to the total value of those assets. The YEA is expressed as a percentage and the higher the YEA, the greater the income-generating capacity of the assets and the stronger the entity's financial solvency.

Yield on earning assets is calculated by dividing the total annual interest income from the entity's earning assets by the sum of all its earning assets. YEA is a key financial ratio used to evaluate an entity’s income-generating capacity as well as its ability to meet its short-term debt obligations, as well as to position it overall in terms of potential assets and liabilities.

In order to achieve a healthy yield on earning assets ratio, banks must maintain an adequate balance between the number of loans offered, the rates charged, the duration of the loans, and the value of the assets. The higher the yield on earning assets, the more efficiently the entity is using its assets to generate income, indicating that the entity has sufficient income-producing capacity to match its liabilities. A low YEA suggests that the entity's pricing policy, risk management and investment strategy are inefficient in generating income, and restructuring may be necessary in order to improve liquidity and retain solvency.

Yield on earning assets is an important indicator of a company's financial health, as it provides an indication of the firm's ability to meet short-term debt obligations and stay solvent. The ratio also helps to assess the effectiveness of a company's investment strategy. A high YEA is a sign of a healthy and efficient financial strategy, whereas a low YEA may suggest that the company needs to reassess its approach to investment and risk management and take appropriate steps to improve its financial situation. Ultimately, the goal for any business is to maintain a high yield on earning assets in order to stay competitive and generate profits.