Stock Analysis on Net

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META)

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

Meta Platforms Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 38,290 20,828 40,147 27,980 18,109
Cost of capital2 14.56% 14.30% 14.64% 14.73% 14.69%
Invested capital3 141,324 101,764 92,809 80,951 65,543
 
Economic profit4 17,713 6,273 26,562 16,054 8,477

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2023 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= 38,29014.56% × 141,324 = 17,713

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. Meta Platforms Inc. economic profit decreased from 2021 to 2022 but then increased from 2022 to 2023 not reaching 2021 level.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Meta Platforms Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Net income 39,098 23,200 39,370 29,146 18,485
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1 131 (3,277) 609 (997) (40)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue2 149 (70) 225 101 117
Increase (decrease) in accrued severance and other personnel liabilities3 (696) 772
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4 (416) (2,575) 834 (896) 77
Interest expense 446 176 15 14 20
Interest expense, operating lease liability5 697 533 388 330 330
Adjusted interest expense 1,143 709 403 344 350
Tax benefit of interest expense6 (240) (149) (85) (72) (74)
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes7 903 560 319 272 277
Interest income (1,639) (452) (476) (686) (924)
Investment income, before taxes (1,639) (452) (476) (686) (924)
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income8 344 95 100 144 194
Investment income, after taxes9 (1,295) (357) (376) (542) (730)
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) 38,290 20,828 40,147 27,980 18,109

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenue.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in accrued severance and other personnel liabilities.

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

5 2023 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= 18,849 × 3.70% = 697

6 2023 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= 1,143 × 21.00% = 240

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income.

8 2023 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= 1,639 × 21.00% = 344

9 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. Meta Platforms Inc. NOPAT decreased from 2021 to 2022 but then increased from 2022 to 2023 not reaching 2021 level.

Cash Operating Taxes

Meta Platforms Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Provision for income taxes 8,330 5,619 7,914 4,034 6,327
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 131 (3,277) 609 (997) (40)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense 240 149 85 72 74
Less: Tax imposed on investment income 344 95 100 144 194
Cash operating taxes 8,095 8,950 7,290 4,959 6,247

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

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. Meta Platforms Inc. cash operating taxes increased from 2021 to 2022 but then slightly decreased from 2022 to 2023 not reaching 2021 level.

Invested Capital

Meta Platforms Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Finance lease liabilities, current 90 129 75 54 55
Long-term debt 18,385 9,923
Finance lease liabilities, non-current 600 558 506 469 418
Operating lease liability1 18,849 16,668 13,873 10,654 10,324
Total reported debt & leases 37,924 27,278 14,454 11,177 10,797
Stockholders’ equity 153,168 125,713 124,879 128,290 101,054
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2 (4,864) (4,946) (1,729) (2,258) (1,156)
Deferred revenue3 675 526 596 335 234
Accrued severance and other personnel liabilities4 76 772
Equity equivalents5 (4,113) (3,648) (1,133) (1,923) (922)
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6 2,155 3,530 693 (927) 489
Adjusted stockholders’ equity 151,210 125,595 124,439 125,440 100,621
Construction in progress7 (24,269) (25,052) (14,687) (11,288) (10,099)
Marketable securities8 (23,541) (26,057) (31,397) (44,378) (35,776)
Invested capital 141,324 101,764 92,809 80,951 65,543

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

3 Addition of deferred revenue.

4 Addition of accrued severance and other personnel liabilities.

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.

Item Description The company
Invested capital Capital is an approximation of the economic book value of all cash invested in going-concern business activities. Meta Platforms Inc. invested capital increased from 2021 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2023.

Cost of Capital

Meta Platforms Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 1,210,942 1,210,942 ÷ 1,248,961 = 0.97 0.97 × 14.91% = 14.46%
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities3 19,170 19,170 ÷ 1,248,961 = 0.02 0.02 × 4.61% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.06%
Operating lease liability4 18,849 18,849 ÷ 1,248,961 = 0.02 0.02 × 3.70% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.04%
Total: 1,248,961 1.00 14.56%

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

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 489,413 489,413 ÷ 515,398 = 0.95 0.95 × 14.91% = 14.16%
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities3 9,317 9,317 ÷ 515,398 = 0.02 0.02 × 4.06% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.06%
Operating lease liability4 16,668 16,668 ÷ 515,398 = 0.03 0.03 × 3.20% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.08%
Total: 515,398 1.00 14.30%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 647,169 647,169 ÷ 661,623 = 0.98 0.98 × 14.91% = 14.59%
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities3 581 581 ÷ 661,623 = 0.00 0.00 × 2.70% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.00%
Operating lease liability4 13,873 13,873 ÷ 661,623 = 0.02 0.02 × 2.80% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.05%
Total: 661,623 1.00 14.64%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 754,633 754,633 ÷ 765,810 = 0.99 0.99 × 14.91% = 14.70%
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities3 523 523 ÷ 765,810 = 0.00 0.00 × 2.90% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.00%
Operating lease liability4 10,654 10,654 ÷ 765,810 = 0.01 0.01 × 3.10% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.03%
Total: 765,810 1.00 14.73%

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

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 597,255 597,255 ÷ 608,052 = 0.98 0.98 × 14.91% = 14.65%
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities3 473 473 ÷ 608,052 = 0.00 0.00 × 3.10% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.00%
Operating lease liability4 10,324 10,324 ÷ 608,052 = 0.02 0.02 × 3.20% × (1 – 21.00%) = 0.04%
Total: 608,052 1.00 14.69%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Meta Platforms Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1 17,713 6,273 26,562 16,054 8,477
Invested capital2 141,324 101,764 92,809 80,951 65,543
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3 12.53% 6.16% 28.62% 19.83% 12.93%
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Alphabet Inc. 19.19% 16.09% 38.38% 19.62% 18.68%
Comcast Corp. -2.25% -6.72% -1.69% -3.35% -1.30%
Netflix Inc. 0.36% -0.91% 3.41% -1.98% -3.80%
Walt Disney Co. -11.30% -9.17% -11.94% -14.23% -4.03%

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2023 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × 17,713 ÷ 141,324 = 12.53%

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. Meta Platforms Inc. economic spread ratio deteriorated from 2021 to 2022 but then slightly improved from 2022 to 2023.

Economic Profit Margin

Meta Platforms Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1 17,713 6,273 26,562 16,054 8,477
 
Revenue 134,902 116,609 117,929 85,965 70,697
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue 149 (70) 225 101 117
Adjusted revenue 135,051 116,539 118,154 86,066 70,814
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2 13.12% 5.38% 22.48% 18.65% 11.97%
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Alphabet Inc. 11.82% 9.92% 22.02% 13.14% 11.59%
Comcast Corp. -3.89% -11.89% -3.33% -7.24% -2.59%
Netflix Inc. 0.41% -1.09% 3.98% -2.34% -4.52%
Walt Disney Co. -22.07% -18.87% -30.44% -38.27% -9.63%

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2023 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted revenue
= 100 × 17,713 ÷ 135,051 = 13.12%

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. Meta Platforms Inc. economic profit margin deteriorated from 2021 to 2022 but then slightly improved from 2022 to 2023.