DexCom Inc. (NASDAQ:DXCM)

The financial data over the five-year period reveals several notable trends in profitability metrics.

Net Income (Loss)

The net income (loss) shows a significant transition from a negative figure in 2018 to positive values in subsequent years. In 2018, the company reported a net loss of approximately US$127.1 million. In 2019, net income turned positive, reaching US$101.1 million, indicating a substantial improvement.

The growth trend continued strongly with net income rising to US$493.6 million in 2020, representing the highest value within the observed period. However, in 2021, net income decreased to US$154.7 million, indicating a contraction compared to the previous year. In 2022, net income rebounded materially to US$341.2 million, suggesting recovery and sustained profitability despite some volatility.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)

The NOPAT data parallels the net income trend but displays some differences in magnitude and yearly variation. In 2018, NOPAT was negative at approximately US$115.4 million, consistent with the net loss reported that year.

From 2019 onward, NOPAT remained positive, increasing from US$150.3 million in 2019 to US$294.1 million in 2020. Unlike net income, NOPAT decreased less sharply in 2021, recording US$233 million, reflecting a smaller decline compared to net income's sharper fall in the same period.

In 2022, NOPAT increased further to US$352.5 million, reaching its highest value during the period and indicating enhanced operational efficiency and profitability after taxes.

Overall, the data suggests the company experienced a turnaround starting in 2019, moving from losses to profits. The peak in profitability occurred in 2020, followed by a decline in 2021, then a recovery in 2022. The NOPAT figures indicate that operational profitability after taxes has generally improved, and although fluctuations exist, the trend is positive, with 2022 reflecting stronger operational results than previous years. These patterns may indicate strategic or operational improvements that influenced earnings performance and operational efficiency over the period.

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

The provision for income taxes demonstrates considerable volatility over the five-year period. Initially, it was a modest positive figure of 600 thousand US dollars at the end of 2018, increasing significantly to 3,100 thousand US dollars by the end of 2019. In 2020, the provision shifted dramatically to a large tax benefit of -268,600 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial reversal. Following this, the provision reverted to positive values, reporting 19,200 thousand US dollars in 2021 and further rising to 49,600 thousand US dollars in 2022. The notable negative provision in 2020 suggests an exceptional tax event or adjustment during that year.

Cash operating taxes

Cash operating taxes have exhibited a consistent upward trajectory throughout the five years. Starting at 8,239 thousand US dollars in 2018, the cash outflow more than doubled by 2019 to 16,466 thousand US dollars. This trend of increasing cash tax payments continued steadily, reaching 27,729 thousand US dollars in 2020, 46,414 thousand US dollars in 2021, and finally 76,556 thousand US dollars in 2022. The persistent growth in cash operating taxes indicates increasing taxable income or changes in tax policy resulting in higher cash tax obligations.

The financial data over the five-year period reveals several notable trends in the company’s debt, equity, and invested capital.

Total Reported Debt & Leases

This metric shows a consistent upward trend, increasing from approximately $1.08 billion in 2018 to about $2.15 billion in 2022. The most significant jump occurs between 2019 and 2020, where the debt rose by roughly 59%, then continued growing at a steadier pace through 2022. This indicates increasing leverage and possibly expanding financing commitments or capital expenditures funded by debt.

Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity also experienced growth from 2018 through 2021, rising sharply from approximately $663 million to $2.25 billion. However, in 2022, equity declined by around 5% to approximately $2.13 billion. The substantial increase up to 2021 suggests successful retention of earnings or capital infusion, while the slight downturn in 2022 might point to losses, dividend payments, or other equity-reducing transactions during that year.

Invested Capital

Invested capital demonstrates a more volatile pattern over the period. After starting at about $1.45 billion in 2018, it dropped substantially by 2019 to $836 million, a decrease of over 40%. This was followed by a recovery and growth to approximately $1.9 billion in 2021, before declining again to $1.65 billion in 2022. These fluctuations could reflect changes in the mix of debt and equity financing, asset acquisitions or disposals, or shifts in working capital components.

Overall, the data indicates increasing reliance on debt with growing total reported debt and leases, balanced by a rise in equity up to 2021. The fluctuations in invested capital suggest dynamic capital management strategies, potentially responding to operational needs or market conditions. The slight decline in equity and invested capital in 2022 may warrant further analysis to determine underlying causes and implications for financial stability and investment capacity.