Stock Analysis on Net

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Enterprise Value to FCFF (EV/FCFF) 

Microsoft Excel

Free Cash Flow to The Firm (FCFF)

Apple Inc., FCFF calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Sep 28, 2024 Sep 30, 2023 Sep 24, 2022 Sep 25, 2021 Sep 26, 2020 Sep 28, 2019
Net income 93,736 96,995 99,803 94,680 57,411 55,256
Net noncash charges 20,867 20,125 21,148 14,269 17,573 17,623
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 3,651 (6,577) 1,200 (4,911) 5,690 (3,488)
Cash generated by operating activities 118,254 110,543 122,151 104,038 80,674 69,391
Cash paid for interest, net of tax1 3,244 2,401 2,330 2,570 2,879
Payments for acquisition of property, plant and equipment (9,447) (10,959) (10,708) (11,085) (7,309) (10,495)
Free cash flow to the firm (FCFF) 108,807 102,828 113,844 95,283 75,935 61,775

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-28).

The financial data reveals a consistent upward trend in both cash generated by operating activities and free cash flow to the firm (FCFF) over the examined six-year period. This indicates a strengthening operational efficiency and cash generation capability.

Cash generated by operating activities
The cash generated from operations has grown steadily from 69,391 million US dollars in 2019 to 118,254 million US dollars in 2024. The growth was particularly notable between 2019 and 2021, with a significant increase of approximately 50% over these two years. Although growth continued post-2021, there was a moderate decline from 2022 to 2023, before rising again in 2024, suggesting some fluctuations but an overall strong upward momentum.
Free cash flow to the firm (FCFF)
The FCFF also displayed a positive trajectory, increasing from 61,775 million US dollars in 2019 to 108,807 million US dollars in 2024. Like operating cash flow, FCFF showed robust growth initially, with the largest increments seen up until 2022. However, a small dip is observed in 2023, corresponding with a similar decline in operating cash, followed by a recovery in 2024. This pattern reflects a stable capacity to generate free cash after accounting for capital expenditures.

Overall, the data depicts a strong financial position with effective operational performance and consistent free cash flow generation. The brief dip around 2023 could warrant further examination, though the rapid recovery in the subsequent year demonstrates resilience and potential effective management of resources.


Interest Paid, Net of Tax

Apple Inc., interest paid, net of tax calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Sep 28, 2024 Sep 30, 2023 Sep 24, 2022 Sep 25, 2021 Sep 26, 2020 Sep 28, 2019
Effective Income Tax Rate (EITR)
EITR1 24.10% 14.70% 16.20% 13.30% 14.40% 15.90%
Interest Paid, Net of Tax
Cash paid for interest, before tax 3,803 2,865 2,687 3,002 3,423
Less: Cash paid for interest, tax2 559 464 357 432 544
Cash paid for interest, net of tax 3,244 2,401 2,330 2,570 2,879

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-28).

1 See details »

2 2024 Calculation
Cash paid for interest, tax = Cash paid for interest × EITR
= 0 × 24.10% = 0

The analysis of the financial data over the six-year period reveals several noteworthy trends and variations.

Effective Income Tax Rate (EITR)
The effective income tax rate showed a general trend of decrease from 15.9% in 2019 to a low of 13.3% in 2021, suggesting a period of favorable tax conditions or tax planning effectiveness. However, a notable increase followed in 2022, reaching 16.2%, before slightly declining to 14.7% in 2023. The most significant change is observed in 2024, with the tax rate rising sharply to 24.1%, indicating either a change in tax regulations, reduced tax benefits, or increased taxable income subject to higher rates.
Cash Paid for Interest, Net of Tax
Cash paid for interest shows a declining trend from $2,879 million in 2019 to $2,330 million in 2021, suggesting a reduction in debt-related expenses or improved interest management. This trend slightly reversed in 2022 with a slight increase to $2,401 million, followed by a more substantial increase to $3,244 million in 2023, indicating either higher debt levels or rising interest rates. The data for 2024 is not provided, leaving the latest trend incomplete.

Overall, the effective income tax rate demonstrates volatility with a significant upward movement in the most recent year, while interest payments initially decreased but escalated notably towards 2023. These trends could have important implications for the company’s profitability and cash flow management strategies.


Enterprise Value to FCFF Ratio, Current

Apple Inc., current EV/FCFF calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Enterprise value (EV) 3,051,923
Free cash flow to the firm (FCFF) 108,807
Valuation Ratio
EV/FCFF 28.05
Benchmarks
EV/FCFF, Competitors1
Arista Networks Inc. 29.15
Cisco Systems Inc. 26.16
Dell Technologies Inc. 33.16
Super Micro Computer Inc.
EV/FCFF, Sector
Technology Hardware & Equipment 27.93
EV/FCFF, Industry
Information Technology 47.79

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28).

1 Click competitor name to see calculations.

If the company EV/FCFF is lower then the EV/FCFF of benchmark then company is relatively undervalued.
Otherwise, if the company EV/FCFF is higher then the EV/FCFF of benchmark then company is relatively overvalued.


Enterprise Value to FCFF Ratio, Historical

Apple Inc., historical EV/FCFF calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Sep 28, 2024 Sep 30, 2023 Sep 24, 2022 Sep 25, 2021 Sep 26, 2020 Sep 28, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Enterprise value (EV)1 3,411,822 2,797,951 2,550,236 2,520,606 1,872,970 1,112,797
Free cash flow to the firm (FCFF)2 108,807 102,828 113,844 95,283 75,935 61,775
Valuation Ratio
EV/FCFF3 31.36 27.21 22.40 26.45 24.67 18.01
Benchmarks
EV/FCFF, Competitors4
Arista Networks Inc. 33.39 39.01 89.98 38.47 29.00
Cisco Systems Inc. 19.55 10.98 13.55 15.50 10.47 12.58
Dell Technologies Inc. 13.99 34.88 6.45 9.28 8.76
Super Micro Computer Inc. 21.06 25.04 3.79
EV/FCFF, Sector
Technology Hardware & Equipment 30.34 24.95 20.82 23.63 21.09
EV/FCFF, Industry
Information Technology 40.33 34.40 26.74 27.56 23.97

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-28).

1 See details »

2 See details »

3 2024 Calculation
EV/FCFF = EV ÷ FCFF
= 3,411,822 ÷ 108,807 = 31.36

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Enterprise Value (EV)
The enterprise value exhibits a consistent upward trend over the analyzed periods. Starting at approximately $1.11 trillion in 2019, it increased substantially to over $3.41 trillion by 2024. Notably, there is a marked acceleration in growth between 2019 and 2021, followed by steady increments through 2024.
Free Cash Flow to the Firm (FCFF)
Free cash flow to the firm increases steadily from about $61.8 billion in 2019 to a peak of $113.8 billion in 2022. This growth is indicative of improving operational cash generation capacity. However, in 2023, a noticeable decline occurs, with FCFF falling to approximately $102.8 billion, before recovering somewhat to $108.8 billion in 2024, suggesting some volatility in cash flow generation towards the end of the period.
EV to FCFF Ratio
The EV/FCFF ratio shows a general increasing trend from 18.01 in 2019 to 31.36 in 2024, indicating that enterprise value is growing faster than free cash flow over time. This ratio peaks in 2021 at 26.45, dips in 2022 to 22.4 as FCFF hits its highest point, and then rises again in subsequent years, reaching the highest level in 2024. The increasing ratio could imply elevated market valuation relative to cash flow, potentially reflecting higher growth expectations or shifts in perceived risk.