Stock Analysis on Net

Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB)

$24.99

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.

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Economic Profit

Airbnb Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2025 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


An analysis of the economic value added reveals a significant transition from value destruction to consistent value creation between 2021 and 2025. The company shifted from a negative economic profit position to generating substantial surpluses above its required cost of capital.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT exhibited a strong upward trajectory, rising from US$ 465 million in 2021 to a peak of US$ 2,644 million in 2024. Although a temporary contraction was observed in 2023 and a slight decline occurred in 2025, the overall trend reflects a substantial expansion in core operating profitability.
Capital Structure and Cost of Capital
The cost of capital remained highly stable throughout the period, fluctuating minimally between 18.81% and 19.00%. Invested capital reached a peak of US$ 6,894 million in 2022 before trending downward to US$ 5,761 million by 2025. This suggests an improvement in capital efficiency, as the company generated higher profits with a smaller capital base toward the end of the period.
Economic Profit and Value Creation
Economic profit transitioned from a loss of US$ 647 million in 2021 to a positive value of US$ 763 million in 2022, indicating a pivotal shift in the company's ability to cover its cost of capital. Value creation accelerated significantly in 2024, reaching a maximum of US$ 1,482 million. The sustained positive economic profit from 2022 through 2025 confirms that the returns on invested capital consistently exceeded the company's cost of capital.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Airbnb Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net income (loss)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in customer receivable reserve2
Increase (decrease) in unearned fees3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense6
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes7
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income8
Investment income, after taxes9
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in customer receivable reserve.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in unearned fees.

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss).

5 2025 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2025 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income (loss).

8 2025 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

9 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited considerable fluctuation over the five-year period. While net income demonstrated a significant recovery from a loss in 2021, NOPAT presents a more nuanced picture of operational profitability. An initial increase in NOPAT was followed by a decline and subsequent recovery.

Overall Trend
NOPAT increased from US$465 million in 2021 to US$2,070 million in 2022, representing substantial growth. However, this was followed by a decrease to US$1,681 million in 2023. A recovery was then observed in 2024, with NOPAT reaching US$2,644 million, and this level was largely maintained in 2025 at US$2,486 million.
Year-over-Year Changes
The largest year-over-year increase in NOPAT occurred between 2021 and 2022, with a growth of US$1,605 million. The subsequent decline between 2022 and 2023 was US$389 million. The recovery from 2023 to 2024 amounted to US$963 million, and the change from 2024 to 2025 was a decrease of US$158 million.
Relationship to Net Income
While both NOPAT and net income increased significantly from 2021 to 2022, the divergence between the two metrics in 2023 suggests factors beyond core operational profitability influenced net income. The continued growth in NOPAT in 2024, despite a decrease in net income compared to 2023, further supports this observation. The relatively stable NOPAT in 2025, alongside a slight decrease in net income, indicates a consistent operational performance despite potential non-operating influences on the bottom line.

The fluctuations in NOPAT suggest that operational performance is subject to external factors or strategic decisions that impact profitability after considering operating taxes. Further investigation into the components of NOPAT and net income would be necessary to fully understand the drivers behind these trends.


Cash Operating Taxes

Airbnb Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).


The provision for (benefit from) income taxes exhibits significant volatility over the observed period. Beginning at US$52 million in 2021, it increased to US$96 million in 2022 before experiencing a substantial negative swing to a benefit of negative US$2,690 million in 2023. This was followed by a return to positive provisions of US$683 million in 2024 and US$626 million in 2025.

Cash operating taxes demonstrate a generally increasing trend, albeit with fluctuations. The value decreased from US$139 million in 2021 to US$68 million in 2022, then declined further to US$56 million in 2023. A subsequent increase is observed in 2024, reaching US$88 million, and continuing into 2025 with a value of US$107 million.

Provision for Income Taxes Trend
The dramatic shift from a provision to a significant benefit in 2023 warrants further investigation. This could be attributable to changes in tax laws, utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, or other tax planning strategies. The return to positive provisions in 2024 and 2025 suggests a normalization of the tax position, but the levels remain below those seen in 2021 and 2022.
Cash Operating Taxes vs. Provision for Income Taxes
A divergence is apparent between the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes. While the provision for income taxes experienced extreme fluctuations, cash operating taxes remained relatively stable, albeit with a general upward trend. This discrepancy suggests timing differences between reported income tax expense and actual cash payments, or the impact of deferred tax items. The cash operating taxes are consistently lower than the provision for income taxes, except in 2023 where the benefit from income taxes is significantly larger than the cash operating taxes.
Overall Tax Impact
The company’s effective tax rate, while not directly calculable from this information, is clearly impacted by the volatility in the provision for income taxes. The large benefit in 2023 likely resulted in a significantly reduced effective tax rate for that year. The increasing cash operating taxes in the later years may indicate a growing tax burden as profitability increases, despite the continued presence of deferred tax assets or other tax benefits.

Invested Capital

Airbnb Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt, net of current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Customer receivable reserve3
Unearned fees4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Adjusted stockholders’ equity
Short-term investments7
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

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 unearned fees.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of short-term investments.


The composition of the company’s capital structure exhibits notable shifts over the five-year period. Total reported debt and leases demonstrate a consistent, albeit modest, decline annually, decreasing from US$2,418 million in 2021 to US$2,271 million in 2025. Conversely, stockholders’ equity experienced substantial growth between 2021 and 2023, increasing from US$4,776 million to US$8,165 million, before stabilizing and experiencing a slight decrease to US$8,199 million in 2025. Invested capital initially increased from 2021 to 2022, then decreased in 2023, followed by a slight increase in 2024, and a further decrease in 2025.

Total Reported Debt & Leases
A consistent downward trend is observed in total reported debt and leases throughout the period. This suggests a deliberate strategy to reduce reliance on debt financing, potentially improving financial flexibility or reducing interest expenses. The rate of decline is relatively stable, indicating a consistent approach to debt management.
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity demonstrates significant growth from 2021 to 2023, indicating strong earnings retention or successful equity issuance. The growth rate slows considerably in 2024 and 2025, with a slight decrease in the latter year. This stabilization may reflect changes in profitability, dividend payouts, or share repurchase activity.
Invested Capital
Invested capital initially rose in 2022, likely driven by increases in both debt and equity. However, a decrease is observed in 2023, despite the continued growth in stockholders’ equity. This suggests a potential reduction in operational assets or a change in working capital management. A slight recovery in 2024 is followed by a further decrease in 2025, indicating continued volatility in capital deployment. The fluctuations in invested capital warrant further investigation to understand the underlying drivers.

The interplay between these components suggests a shift in the company’s capital structure towards greater reliance on equity financing. While debt levels are decreasing, the growth in equity has not consistently translated into increased invested capital, indicating potential changes in asset utilization or investment strategies.


Cost of Capital

Airbnb Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Airbnb Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Booking Holdings Inc.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
DoorDash, Inc.
McDonald’s Corp.
Starbucks Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2025 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial trajectory from 2021 to 2025 demonstrates a significant transition from value destruction to sustained value creation. A recovery phase is evident, characterized by a shift from negative economic profit to a consistently positive state, indicating that the returns generated are exceeding the cost of capital.

Economic Spread Ratio
A substantial upward trend is observed in the economic spread ratio, which evolved from a negative 11.04% in 2021 to 24.35% by 2025. The most significant acceleration occurred between 2023 and 2024, where the ratio jumped from 9.43% to 24.17%. This expansion indicates a marked improvement in the efficiency of capital utilization and a widening gap between the return on invested capital and the required rate of return.
Economic Profit
Economic profit shifted from a deficit of 647 million US dollars in 2021 to a peak of 1,482 million US dollars in 2024. While a slight contraction occurred in 2025, with profit settling at 1,403 million US dollars, the overall trend remains positive. The volatility observed between 2022 and 2023 suggests a period of adjustment before the significant growth realized in the final two years of the period.
Invested Capital
Invested capital peaked in 2022 at 6,894 million US dollars before trending downward to 5,761 million US dollars by 2025. The combination of decreasing invested capital and increasing economic profit through 2024 and 2025 suggests an optimization of the capital base, allowing for higher economic spreads despite a smaller capital footprint.

The convergence of a declining capital base and a rising economic spread ratio reflects an increase in operational efficiency. The ability to maintain an economic spread ratio above 24% while reducing invested capital indicates a strengthened competitive position and a highly optimized capital structure.


Economic Profit Margin

Airbnb Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
 
Revenue
Add: Increase (decrease) in unearned fees
Adjusted revenue
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Booking Holdings Inc.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
DoorDash, Inc.
McDonald’s Corp.
Starbucks Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted revenue
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance indicates a significant transition from value destruction to consistent value creation between 2021 and 2025. While adjusted revenue expanded steadily throughout the period, economic profit and its associated margin exhibited higher volatility, peaking in 2024 before a slight moderation in 2025.

Adjusted Revenue Growth
A consistent upward trajectory is observed in adjusted revenue, which increased from 6,488 million US dollars in 2021 to 12,368 million US dollars by 2025. This steady expansion provided a larger operational base for the generation of economic value over the five-year interval.
Economic Profit Trajectory
Economic profit shifted from a deficit of 647 million US dollars in 2021 to a positive result of 763 million US dollars in 2022. Following a temporary decline to 557 million US dollars in 2023, a substantial increase occurred in 2024, reaching a peak of 1,482 million US dollars. The 2025 figure of 1,403 million US dollars represents a slight contraction from the peak but maintains a high level of value creation relative to the start of the period.
Economic Profit Margin Analysis
The economic profit margin mirrors the volatility of the absolute economic profit. A negative margin of -9.98% in 2021 indicates that returns were insufficient to cover the cost of capital. This transitioned to a positive margin of 8.79% in 2022, followed by a dip to 5.49% in 2023. A peak efficiency was reached in 2024 with a margin of 13.13%, eventually stabilizing at 11.34% in 2025. This progression suggests a substantial improvement in the company's ability to generate surplus value relative to its revenue.