Stock Analysis on Net

Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI)

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since July 31, 2023.

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

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.


Economic Profit

Activision Blizzard Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
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 2,208 2,162 2,485 980 1,379
Cost of capital2 8.27% 8.21% 8.24% 8.18% 8.07%
Invested capital3 19,837 22,243 20,332 17,047 16,084
 
Economic profit4 568 336 810 (415) 81

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
= 2,2088.27% × 19,837 = 568

Item Description The company
Economic profit Economic profit is a measure of corporate performance computed by taking the spread between the return on invested capital and the cost of capital, and multiplying by the invested capital. Activision Blizzard Inc. economic profit decreased from 2020 to 2021 but then slightly increased from 2021 to 2022.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Activision Blizzard Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Net income 1,513 2,699 2,197 1,503 1,813
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1 (168) 12 (97) (353) 27
Increase (decrease) in allowances for sales returns and price protection and other allowances2 (1) (46) (55) (68) (88)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues3 970 (571) 314 (118) (436)
Increase (decrease) in accrued restructuring and related costs4 (51) (6) 56 35
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents5 750 (611) 218 (504) (497)
Interest expense from debt 108 108 99 90 140
Interest expense, operating lease liability6 8 9 10 11 10
Adjusted interest expense from debt 116 117 109 101 150
Tax benefit of interest expense from debt7 (24) (25) (23) (21) (31)
Adjusted interest expense from debt, after taxes8 92 92 86 80 118
(Gain) loss on marketable securities (21) (18) 1 (46) (5)
Interest income (165) (5) (21) (79) (65)
Investment income, before taxes (186) (23) (20) (125) (70)
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income9 39 5 4 26 15
Investment income, after taxes10 (147) (18) (16) (99) (55)
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) 2,208 2,162 2,485 980 1,379

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
= 245 × 3.34% = 8

7 2022 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense from debt = Adjusted interest expense from debt × Statutory income tax rate
= 116 × 21.00% = 24

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
= 186 × 21.00% = 39

10 Elimination of after taxes investment income.

Item Description The company
NOPAT Net operating profit after taxes is income from operations, but after removement of taxes calculated on cash basis that are relevant to operating income. Activision Blizzard Inc. NOPAT decreased from 2020 to 2021 but then slightly increased from 2021 to 2022.

Cash Operating Taxes

Activision Blizzard Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Income tax expense 231 465 419 130 64
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (168) 12 (97) (353) 27
Add: Tax savings from interest expense from debt 24 25 23 21 31
Less: Tax imposed on investment income 39 5 4 26 15
Cash operating taxes 384 473 535 478 54

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).

Item Description The company
Cash operating taxes Cash operating taxes are estimated by adjusting income tax expense for changes in deferred taxes and tax benefit from the interest deduction. Activision Blizzard Inc. cash operating taxes decreased from 2020 to 2021 and from 2021 to 2022.

Invested Capital

Activision Blizzard Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Long-term debt, net 3,611 3,608 3,605 2,675 2,671
Operating lease liability1 245 289 290 273 313
Total reported debt & leases 3,856 3,897 3,895 2,948 2,984
Shareholders’ equity 19,243 17,599 15,037 12,805 11,357
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2 (1,044) (871) (901) (788) (387)
Allowances for sales returns and price protection and other allowances3 16 17 63 118 186
Deferred revenues4 2,088 1,118 1,689 1,375 1,493
Accrued restructuring and related costs5 34 85 91 35
Equity equivalents6 1,094 349 942 740 1,292
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax7 625 578 622 619 601
Adjusted shareholders’ equity 20,962 18,526 16,601 14,164 13,250
U.S. treasuries, government agency securities, and equity securities8 (4,981) (180) (164) (65) (150)
Invested capital 19,837 22,243 20,332 17,047 16,084

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.

Item Description The company
Invested capital Capital is an approximation of the economic book value of all cash invested in going-concern business activities. Activision Blizzard Inc. invested capital increased from 2020 to 2021 but then decreased significantly from 2021 to 2022.

Cost of Capital

Activision Blizzard Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 60,444 60,444 ÷ 63,557 = 0.95 0.95 × 8.57% = 8.15%
Long-term debt3 2,868 2,868 ÷ 63,557 = 0.05 0.05 × 2.96% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.11%
Operating lease liability4 245 245 ÷ 63,557 = 0.00 0.00 × 3.34% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.01%
Total: 63,557 1.00 8.27%

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 63,461 63,461 ÷ 67,355 = 0.94 0.94 × 8.57% = 8.08%
Long-term debt3 3,605 3,605 ÷ 67,355 = 0.05 0.05 × 2.95% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.12%
Operating lease liability4 289 289 ÷ 67,355 = 0.00 0.00 × 3.01% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.01%
Total: 67,355 1.00 8.21%

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 74,702 74,702 ÷ 78,893 = 0.95 0.95 × 8.57% = 8.12%
Long-term debt3 3,901 3,901 ÷ 78,893 = 0.05 0.05 × 2.95% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.12%
Operating lease liability4 290 290 ÷ 78,893 = 0.00 0.00 × 3.40% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.01%
Total: 78,893 1.00 8.24%

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 44,869 44,869 ÷ 47,966 = 0.94 0.94 × 8.57% = 8.02%
Long-term debt3 2,824 2,824 ÷ 47,966 = 0.06 0.06 × 3.21% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.15%
Operating lease liability4 273 273 ÷ 47,966 = 0.01 0.01 × 4.02% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.02%
Total: 47,966 1.00 8.18%

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 32,188 32,188 ÷ 35,081 = 0.92 0.92 × 8.57% = 7.86%
Long-term debt3 2,580 2,580 ÷ 35,081 = 0.07 0.07 × 3.15% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.18%
Operating lease liability4 313 313 ÷ 35,081 = 0.01 0.01 × 3.15% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.02%
Total: 35,081 1.00 8.07%

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

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1 568 336 810 (415) 81
Invested capital2 19,837 22,243 20,332 17,047 16,084
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3 2.86% 1.51% 3.98% -2.44% 0.50%
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Alphabet Inc. 16.07% 38.36% 19.60% 18.65%
Comcast Corp. -6.73% -1.71% -3.37% -1.32%
Meta Platforms Inc. 6.14% 28.59% 19.80% 12.91%
Netflix Inc. -0.94% 3.38% -2.01% -3.83%
Walt Disney Co. -9.20% -11.97% -14.26% -4.06% 1.07%

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 × 568 ÷ 19,837 = 2.86%

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Performance ratio Description The company
Economic spread ratio The ratio of economic profit to invested capital, also equal to the difference between return on invested capital (ROIC) and cost of capital. Activision Blizzard Inc. economic spread ratio deteriorated from 2020 to 2021 but then improved from 2021 to 2022 not reaching 2020 level.

Economic Profit Margin

Activision Blizzard Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1 568 336 810 (415) 81
 
Net revenues 7,528 8,803 8,086 6,489 7,500
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues 970 (571) 314 (118) (436)
Adjusted net revenues 8,498 8,232 8,400 6,371 7,064
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2 6.68% 4.08% 9.64% -6.52% 1.15%
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Alphabet Inc. 9.90% 22.00% 13.12% 11.58%
Comcast Corp. -11.91% -3.36% -7.26% -2.61%
Meta Platforms Inc. 5.36% 22.46% 18.63% 11.95%
Netflix Inc. -1.12% 3.95% -2.37% -4.55%
Walt Disney Co. -18.93% -30.51% -38.35% -9.71% 1.44%

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 × 568 ÷ 8,498 = 6.68%

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Performance ratio Description The company
Economic profit margin The ratio of economic profit to sales. It is the company profit margin covering income efficiency and asset management. Economic profit margin is not biased in favor of capital-intensive business models, because any added capital is a cost to the economic profit margin. Activision Blizzard Inc. economic profit margin deteriorated from 2020 to 2021 but then slightly improved from 2021 to 2022.