Economic Value Added (EVA)
EVA is registered trademark of Stern Stewart.
Economic value added or economic profit is the difference between revenues and costs,where costs include not only expenses, but also cost of capital.
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Economic Profit
Activision Blizzard Inc., economic profit calculation
US$ in millions
| 12 months ended: | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | ||||||
| Cost of capital2 | ||||||
| Invested capital3 | ||||||
| Economic profit4 | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
1 NOPAT. See details »
2 Cost of capital. See details »
3 Invested capital. See details »
4 2022 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= – × =
The analysis of financial performance from 2018 to 2022 reveals a period of significant volatility in value creation, characterized by alternating phases of economic profit and economic loss.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- Operational profitability exhibited substantial fluctuations, beginning with a decline from 1,379 million US$ in 2018 to 980 million US$ in 2019. A sharp increase followed in 2020, peaking at 2,485 million US$, before stabilizing in the range of 2,162 to 2,208 million US$ during 2021 and 2022.
- Cost of Capital
- The cost of capital remained remarkably consistent over the five-year period, maintaining a tight range between 9.86% and 10.13%. This stability provided a constant benchmark against which the returns on invested capital were measured.
- Invested Capital
- A growth trend in invested capital was observed from 2018 through 2021, rising from 16,084 million US$ to a peak of 22,243 million US$. However, this trend reversed in 2022, with invested capital decreasing to 19,837 million US$, suggesting a reduction in the capital base or a reallocation of resources.
- Economic Profit
- Economic profit demonstrated high variability, indicating inconsistent success in generating returns above the cost of capital. The company experienced value destruction in 2018 and 2019, with the deficit widening to -727 million US$ in 2019. A shift to value creation occurred in 2020 with a profit of 433 million US$, followed by a marginal return to a negative state in 2021 (-74 million US$), and a recovery to 199 million US$ in 2022.
The data suggests that while NOPAT saw a general increase from 2019 levels, the company's economic profit was heavily influenced by the scale of invested capital. The return to a positive economic profit in 2022 coincided with a reduction in invested capital, indicating that improved capital efficiency played a role in restoring value creation.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Activision Blizzard Inc., NOPAT calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »
2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowances for sales returns and price protection and other allowances.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenues.
4 Addition of increase (decrease) in accrued restructuring and related costs.
5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income.
6 2022 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
7 2022 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense from debt = Adjusted interest expense from debt × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
8 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income.
9 2022 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
10 Elimination of after taxes investment income.
- Net Income
- The net income exhibited volatility over the five-year period. Starting at 1,813 million US dollars in 2018, it declined to 1,503 million in 2019. This was followed by a substantial increase in 2020, reaching 2,197 million. The upward trend continued in 2021, culminating in a peak of 2,699 million. However, in 2022, net income dropped sharply to 1,513 million, almost reverting to the 2019 level.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- NOPAT demonstrated an inconsistent trend throughout the timeline. It started at 1,379 million US dollars in 2018, decreased substantially to 980 million in 2019, then sharply increased to 2,485 million in 2020. Unlike net income, NOPAT decreased in 2021, reaching 2,162 million, but showed a slight rebound in 2022 to 2,208 million. Despite fluctuations, the overall level of NOPAT in the latter years remained higher than the initial years.
- Comparative Insights
- While both net income and NOPAT fluctuated, their trends did not move entirely in tandem, especially notable in 2021 and 2022. Net income reached its highest point in 2021, but saw a steep decline the following year, whereas NOPAT remained relatively stable in those two years. The divergence suggests variations in operational efficiency and the impact of other financial factors such as non-operating income or expenses.
- Overall Interpretation
- The data reflects a period of considerable financial fluctuation with some years of strong profitability followed by significant declines. The volatility might imply external market impacts, changing operational conditions, or other elements influencing profitability both at the operational and net levels. Further investigation into the underlying causes of these trends would be necessary for comprehensive understanding and strategic decision-making.
Cash Operating Taxes
Activision Blizzard Inc., cash operating taxes calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
The financial data reveals notable fluctuations in both income tax expenses and cash operating taxes over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022.
- Income Tax Expense
- The income tax expense demonstrates a significant upward trend from 2018 to 2021, increasing from $64 million in 2018 to a peak of $465 million in 2021. This represents a more than sevenfold increase over the four-year span. However, in 2022, income tax expense dropped sharply to $231 million, approximately half of the 2021 level, indicating a substantial reduction.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- The cash operating taxes present a different pattern, with a steep increase observed between 2018 and 2019, from $54 million to $478 million. This level remained relatively stable in 2020 and 2021, with values of $535 million and $473 million respectively. In 2022, there was a noticeable decrease to $384 million, indicating a downward adjustment following the previous high-pressure tax years.
Overall, the data suggests a period of escalating tax-related expenses through 2019 to 2021, with both income tax expense and cash operating taxes reaching their highest points during this time. The subsequent decline in 2022 could imply changes in profitability, tax planning strategies, or external tax regulations impacting the company's tax liabilities. The divergence in the scale and timing of changes between income tax expenses and cash operating taxes highlights different components that contribute to the company’s overall tax burden.
Invested Capital
Activision Blizzard Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.
2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »
3 Addition of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.
4 Addition of deferred revenues.
5 Addition of accrued restructuring and related costs.
6 Addition of equity equivalents to shareholders’ equity.
7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
8 Subtraction of u.S. treasuries, government agency securities, and equity securities.
- Total reported debt & leases
- The reported debt and leases remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2019, with a slight decrease from 2,984 million USD to 2,948 million USD. However, there was a notable increase in 2020, rising to 3,895 million USD. The debt level then plateaued in 2021 at 3,897 million USD and marginally decreased to 3,856 million USD in 2022. Overall, debt showed moderate growth peaking in 2020 and 2021 before slightly declining.
- Shareholders’ equity
- Shareholders’ equity demonstrated a consistent upward trend throughout the period analyzed. It increased steadily from 11,357 million USD in 2018 to 12,805 million USD in 2019, then to 15,037 million USD in 2020. This growth continued into 2021 with equity reaching 17,599 million USD and further expanded to 19,243 million USD in 2022. The rising equity suggests strengthening of the company's net asset base over time.
- Invested capital
- Invested capital showed an overall increasing trend from 16,084 million USD in 2018 to a peak of 22,243 million USD in 2021. Notably, invested capital grew each year from 2018 through 2021. However, in 2022, there was a decline to 19,837 million USD, indicating a reduction in total capital invested in the business after several years of growth.
- Summary Insights
- Between 2018 and 2021, the company exhibited growth in both shareholders’ equity and invested capital, reflecting expansion and possibly reinvestment into the business. The relatively stable but elevated debt levels from 2020 onwards may indicate increased borrowing or lease obligations supporting this expansion. The decline in invested capital in 2022 despite continued growth in equity could signal asset disposals, capital restructuring, or efficiency improvements. Meanwhile, the slight reduction in debt in 2022 suggests cautious management of financial leverage following the prior increase.
Cost of Capital
Activision Blizzard Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
Activision Blizzard Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Invested capital2 | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | ||||||
| Comcast Corp. | ||||||
| Meta Platforms Inc. | ||||||
| Netflix Inc. | ||||||
| Trade Desk Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 Invested capital. See details »
3 2022 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =
4 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial performance from 2018 to 2022 is characterized by significant volatility in value creation, with the company alternating between periods of economic value destruction and value generation.
- Economic Spread Ratio Trends
- The economic spread ratio exhibits a fluctuating pattern, indicating inconsistent ability to generate returns above the cost of capital. A notable decline occurred in 2019, where the ratio reached its lowest point at -4.26%. This was followed by a sharp recovery in 2020 to 2.13%, before dipping again to -0.33% in 2021. The period concluded with a return to positive value creation in 2022, reaching 1.00%.
- Economic Profit Analysis
- Economic profit closely mirrors the trajectory of the spread ratio. The company experienced negative economic profit in 2018, 2019, and 2021, with the most significant loss occurring in 2019 at -727 million USD. Positive economic profit was recorded in 2020 and 2022, peaking in 2020 at 433 million USD, demonstrating periodic success in exceeding the required return on capital.
- Invested Capital Dynamics
- Invested capital showed a consistent upward trend for the first four years, rising from 16,084 million USD in 2018 to a peak of 22,243 million USD in 2021. However, a contraction occurred in 2022, with invested capital decreasing to 19,837 million USD. The divergence between the growth in invested capital and the inconsistent economic spread suggests that capital expansion did not consistently translate into proportional economic value.
Overall, the data indicates a struggle to maintain a sustained positive spread over the analyzed period. While the company ended 2022 in a value-creating position, the recurring transitions between negative and positive economic profit suggest sensitivity to operational or market volatility.
Economic Profit Margin
Activision Blizzard Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Net revenues | ||||||
| Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues | ||||||
| Adjusted net revenues | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | ||||||
| Comcast Corp. | ||||||
| Meta Platforms Inc. | ||||||
| Netflix Inc. | ||||||
| Trade Desk Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2022 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted net revenues
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial performance from 2018 through 2022 is characterized by inconsistent economic value creation, with the company oscillating between destroying and generating economic profit.
- Economic Profit Margin Trends
- The economic profit margin experienced a sharp decline from -2.93% in 2018 to its lowest point of -11.41% in 2019. A significant recovery occurred in 2020, where the margin reached a five-year peak of 5.16%, before dipping again to -0.90% in 2021 and recovering to 2.34% in 2022.
- Revenue Dynamics and Economic Value
- Adjusted net revenues fluctuated in alignment with economic profit. The lowest revenue figure of 6,371 million USD in 2019 coincided with the most significant economic loss of 727 million USD. The subsequent expansion of revenues to 8,400 million USD in 2020 and 8,498 million USD in 2022 served as primary drivers for the periods of positive economic profit.
- Analysis of Value Creation Cycles
- The data indicates a cycle of instability in generating returns above the cost of capital. While a positive economic profit of 199 million USD was achieved by the end of 2022, the intermittent nature of these results suggests a vulnerability to shifts that impact the ability to sustain consistent economic value added.