Stock Analysis on Net

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)

$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

Amazon.com Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2024 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
There is a notable fluctuation in NOPAT over the five-year period. It increased significantly from 24,183 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 37,525 million USD in 2021. However, in 2022, the company experienced a sharp decline, resulting in a negative NOPAT of -5,619 million USD. This was followed by a recovery in 2023 and 2024, with values rising to 31,856 million USD and then to 58,988 million USD, indicating a strong rebound and overall growth beyond the initial 2020 levels.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital remained relatively stable throughout the period, fluctuating between 14.58% and 15.52%. It started at 15.41% in 2020, decreased slightly to 14.58% by 2022, then rose again to 15.52% by 2024. The minor variations suggest consistent market or company risk perceptions without significant shifts.
Invested Capital
The invested capital exhibited continuous growth across all years. Starting from 150,160 million USD in 2020, it rose to 202,836 million USD in 2021, then to 269,358 million USD in 2022. This upward trend continued to 326,668 million USD in 2023 and further increased to 375,421 million USD in 2024, demonstrating ongoing investment and expansion activities by the company.
Economic Profit
Economic profit also showed considerable volatility. It increased from 1,041 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 6,803 million USD in 2021, then plunged dramatically to a negative 44,888 million USD in 2022, reflecting the impact of the negative NOPAT in the same year. Although still negative in 2023 at -17,835 million USD, economic profit improved by 2024, turning positive again at 735 million USD, albeit at a much lower level than the earlier highs. This pattern suggests that while the company faced substantial value destruction in 2022 and 2023, it started to regain value by 2024.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Amazon.com Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Net income (loss)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in unearned revenue3
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: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in unearned revenue.

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

5 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2024 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 2024 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 Income (Loss)
The net income fluctuated significantly over the five-year period. Beginning at $21,331 million in 2020, there was a substantial increase to $33,364 million in 2021. However, 2022 marked a notable downturn with a net loss of $2,722 million. This negative performance rebounded sharply in the subsequent years, reaching $30,425 million in 2023 and further rising to $59,248 million in 2024. The data indicates a strong recovery and growth trajectory after the loss experienced in 2022.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT followed a similar pattern to net income, starting at $24,183 million in 2020 and rising to $37,525 million in 2021. It then experienced a sharp decline to a negative $5,619 million in 2022, deeper than the net income loss in the same year, indicating challenges in operating profitability. However, a significant recovery occurred in 2023 with NOPAT increasing to $31,856 million, followed by a strong increase to $58,988 million in 2024. This suggests an improvement in the company's core operational efficiency and profitability in the last two years.
Overall Analysis
The financial results reveal volatility, with a peak in 2021, a pronounced downturn in 2022, and substantial recovery and growth by 2024. The presence of negative figures in 2022 for both net income and NOPAT indicates operational and profitability challenges during that year. The subsequent rebound in 2023 and 2024 demonstrates strong adaptive or strategic measures resulting in enhanced earnings and operating profit, achieving new highs at the end of the evaluated period.

Cash Operating Taxes

Amazon.com Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Provision (benefit) for income taxes, net
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: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

Provision (benefit) for income taxes, net
The net provision for income taxes showed considerable volatility over the observed periods. In 2020 and 2021, the provision increased significantly from 2,863 million USD to 4,791 million USD. However, the year 2022 presented an unusual pattern with a net tax benefit of -3,217 million USD, indicating a reversal or tax benefit situation rather than a conventional tax expense. Subsequently, the provision rose again sharply to 7,120 million USD in 2023 and further to 9,265 million USD in 2024, reflecting a substantial increase in tax obligations or adjustments during these years.
Cash operating taxes
Cash operating taxes exhibited a steadily increasing trend from 3,844 million USD in 2020 to 5,646 million USD in 2021, followed by a more moderate rise to 5,689 million USD in 2022. In 2023, there was a notable surge to 13,583 million USD, nearly doubling the previous year's amount. This upward momentum continued in 2024 with cash operating taxes reaching 14,023 million USD. The substantial increase observed in the last two years suggests significant growth in actual tax payments, potentially correlated with rising taxable income or changes in tax rates and regulations.

Invested Capital

Amazon.com Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Current portion of lease liabilities, finance leases
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term lease liabilities, finance leases, excluding current portion
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
Unearned revenue4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Adjusted stockholders’ equity
Construction in progress7
Marketable securities8
Invested capital

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

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 revenue.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of construction in progress.

8 Subtraction of marketable securities.

Total reported debt & leases

Over the five-year period, total reported debt and leases exhibited an overall increasing trend from 100,504 million US dollars in 2020 to a peak of 154,972 million in 2022. This increase suggests a significant rise in the company's leverage or obligations during these years. However, this peak level of debt was relatively maintained in 2023, with a slight decrease to 154,556 million, followed by a further moderate reduction to 147,838 million in 2024. The slight decline in the last two years might indicate strategic deleveraging or improved debt management efforts.

Stockholders’ equity

Stockholders' equity demonstrated strong and consistent growth throughout the period under review. Starting at 93,404 million US dollars in 2020, equity levels increased markedly year over year, reaching 138,245 million in 2021 and continuing upward to 146,043 million in 2022. This growth accelerated significantly during 2023 and 2024, culminating in a sizable equity base of 285,970 million by the end of 2024. The substantial rise in equity in the final years suggests enhanced retained earnings, possible equity issuances, or asset revaluations, which strengthen the company's net asset position and financial stability.

Invested capital

Invested capital showed a continuous and pronounced increase across the five years. Beginning at 150,160 million US dollars in 2020, it increased substantially to 202,836 million in 2021, then accelerated its upward trajectory to 269,358 million in 2022. The growth sustained momentum through 2023 and 2024, reaching 326,668 million and 375,421 million respectively. This pattern indicates significant expansion in the company's total capital employed in operations, possibly due to investments in long-term assets, acquisitions, or business growth initiatives.


Cost of Capital

Amazon.com Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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 Debt and finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Amazon.com Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Home Depot Inc.
Lowe’s Cos. Inc.
TJX Cos. Inc.

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2024 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Economic Profit Trend
The economic profit shows significant volatility over the analyzed periods. Initially, there was a notable increase from 1,041 million USD in 2020 to 6,803 million USD in 2021, indicating improved profitability. However, this was followed by a sharp decline into negative territory, with a substantial economic loss of 44,888 million USD in 2022 and a continued loss of 17,835 million USD in 2023. By 2024, there is a recovery trend as economic profit returns to a positive figure of 735 million USD, though this is much lower than the 2021 peak.
Invested Capital Evolution
Invested capital shows a consistent upward trend throughout the entire period. Starting at 150,160 million USD in 2020, it increased steadily each year, reaching 375,421 million USD by 2024. This suggests significant ongoing investments or growth in assets employed, nearly doubling invested capital over five years.
Economic Spread Ratio Analysis
The economic spread ratio, which measures the return over invested capital, mirrors the pattern seen in economic profit. It increased from a low of 0.69% in 2020 to a strong 3.35% in 2021, reflecting improved efficiency or profitability. However, it then dropped dramatically to -16.66% in 2022 and improved slightly to -5.46% in 2023, indicating periods of severe financial underperformance relative to capital invested. By 2024, the economic spread ratio has nearly normalized to a positive 0.2%, reflecting a marginal return above cost of capital.
Overall Observations
The combined data indicate a period of robust profitability and capital effectiveness in 2021 following a smaller base year in 2020. Subsequently, the company experienced large economic losses and negative spread ratios in 2022 and 2023, despite increasing invested capital, suggesting inefficiencies or adverse market conditions impacting returns. The partial recovery in 2024, while positive, remains modest compared to the peak performance of 2021. The substantial growth in invested capital alongside fluctuating profitability points towards a need to assess asset utilization and returns to ensure sustainable value creation.

Economic Profit Margin

Amazon.com Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
 
Net sales
Add: Increase (decrease) in unearned revenue
Adjusted net sales
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Home Depot Inc.
Lowe’s Cos. Inc.
TJX Cos. Inc.

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2024 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted net sales
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.

The financial data reveals several noteworthy trends over the analyzed periods. There is a significant growth trajectory in adjusted net sales from 2020 through 2024, indicating increasing revenue generation capabilities. Specifically, net sales rose steadily from 387,482 million US dollars in 2020 to 641,635 million US dollars in 2024.

Despite the positive sales growth, the economic profit shows a different pattern. Initially, economic profit increased from 1,041 million US dollars in 2020 to a peak of 6,803 million US dollars in 2021. However, this was followed by a sharp decline, turning negative in 2022 and 2023, with values of -44,888 million and -17,835 million US dollars respectively, before recovering to a positive 735 million US dollars in 2024. This swing suggests challenges in maintaining profitability despite rising revenues.

Examining the economic profit margin corroborates these observations. After peaking at 1.44% in 2021, the margin plunged to negative figures of -8.7% in 2022 and -3.08% in 2023, showing reduced efficiency in converting sales into economic profit. By 2024, the margin returned to a marginally positive 0.11%, indicating some recovery in profitability ratios, though still significantly below earlier levels.

Adjusted Net Sales
Consistent year-over-year increase from 2020 to 2024, suggesting strong revenue growth and market expansion.
Economic Profit
Initial growth followed by a steep decline into negative territory in 2022 and 2023, with a slight recovery in 2024.
Economic Profit Margin
Trend closely mirrors economic profit, with positive margins in 2020 and 2021, substantial negative margins in 2022 and 2023, and a minor positive margin in 2024, highlighting challenges in profitability during the mid-period and improvement thereafter.

Overall, while sales performance demonstrated robust expansion, profitability experienced volatility with marked declines during 2022 and 2023 before modest recovery. This implies potential issues affecting cost management, investment returns, or operational efficiency during those years, warranting further examination of underlying factors driving the profit margin fluctuations.