Economic Value Added (EVA)
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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- Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Cash Flow Statement
- Analysis of Solvency Ratios
- Analysis of Short-term (Operating) Activity Ratios
- Analysis of Geographic Areas
- Enterprise Value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA)
- Enterprise Value to FCFF (EV/FCFF)
- Selected Financial Data since 2005
- Operating Profit Margin since 2005
- Current Ratio since 2005
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Economic Profit
Netflix Inc., economic profit calculation
US$ in thousands
| 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
= – × =
The period under review demonstrates fluctuating economic profit performance. Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited an initial increase followed by a decline and subsequent recovery, while the cost of capital consistently rose. Invested capital also showed a general upward trend. These factors combined to produce significant variations in economic profit over the five-year span.
- NOPAT Trend
- Net operating profit after taxes increased substantially from US$3,693,653 thousand in 2020 to US$6,078,640 thousand in 2021. A subsequent decrease was observed in 2022, with NOPAT falling to US$4,988,408 thousand. This was followed by a modest increase in 2023 to US$5,437,546 thousand, culminating in a significant rise to US$8,600,341 thousand in 2024. This indicates a volatile, but ultimately positive, trend in operational profitability.
- Cost of Capital Trend
- The cost of capital experienced a consistent upward trajectory throughout the period, increasing from 16.70% in 2020 to 17.24% in 2024. This steady increase suggests a growing cost of funding for the company’s invested capital.
- Invested Capital Trend
- Invested capital demonstrated a consistent upward trend, increasing from US$29,762,011 thousand in 2020 to US$40,712,328 thousand in 2024. This indicates a continuous reinvestment in the business or acquisition of new assets.
- Economic Profit Trend
- Economic profit was negative in 2020, at -US$1,275,660 thousand, but turned positive in 2021, reaching US$406,261 thousand. It then became negative again in 2022 (-US$1,252,134 thousand) and remained negative in 2023 (-US$973,314 thousand). A substantial positive shift occurred in 2024, with economic profit reaching US$1,579,952 thousand. This suggests that the company’s returns on invested capital were not consistently exceeding its cost of capital, but improved significantly in the most recent year.
The fluctuations in economic profit appear to be driven by the interplay between NOPAT, cost of capital, and invested capital. While NOPAT and invested capital generally increased, the rising cost of capital and the initial decline in NOPAT contributed to negative economic profit in 2020, 2022, and 2023. The substantial increase in NOPAT in 2024, coupled with a relatively moderate increase in the cost of capital, resulted in a significant improvement in economic profit.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Netflix Inc., NOPAT calculation
US$ in thousands
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 deferred revenue.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income.
4 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
5 2024 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
6 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income.
7 2024 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
8 Elimination of after taxes investment income.
- Net Income
- The net income displayed a significant overall growth trend over the analyzed period. Starting at approximately 2.76 billion US dollars in 2020, it nearly doubled by 2021 reaching around 5.12 billion. A slight decline occurred in 2022 to about 4.49 billion, followed by a recovery in 2023 to roughly 5.41 billion. The most notable increase was observed in 2024, with net income rising sharply to approximately 8.71 billion, representing substantial profitability expansion toward the end of the period.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- NOPAT also exhibited a strong upward trend, beginning at roughly 3.69 billion US dollars in 2020. It increased markedly to about 6.08 billion in 2021 before experiencing a decrease in 2022 to around 4.99 billion. The figure rebounded slightly in 2023, reaching approximately 5.44 billion, and then surged considerably in 2024 to approximately 8.60 billion. This pattern reflects similar movements to net income, indicating consistent operational profitability progression, with a particularly strong performance in the final year.
- Summary of Trends
- Both net income and NOPAT show parallel trends with peaks in 2021, followed by declines in 2022 and subsequent recoveries. The data reflects a strong recovery and growth phase culminating in significant financial improvement in 2024. The increases in 2024 imply enhanced efficiency in core operations and improved bottom-line results. Minor fluctuations in the middle years suggest potential operational or market challenges that were ultimately overcome.
Cash Operating Taxes
Netflix Inc., cash operating taxes calculation
US$ in thousands
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).
The financial data reveals a consistent upward trend in both the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024.
- Provision for Income Taxes
- This figure increased steadily each year, starting at 437,954 thousand US dollars in 2020 and rising to 1,254,026 thousand US dollars in 2024. The growth suggests a rising taxable income base or changes in tax liabilities, with the most significant increase occurring between 2023 and 2024.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes also exhibited a persistent increase year over year, moving from 545,709 thousand US dollars in 2020 to 1,952,319 thousand US dollars in 2024. The increase was particularly sharp in the later years, indicating higher cash outflows related to taxation, which may impact liquidity considerations.
The concurrent rises in both provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes indicate growing tax obligations generally aligned with operational or profitability expansion. The substantial increases in the 2023 to 2024 period could warrant further analysis regarding tax planning, cash flow management, and potential impacts on net income and operational financing.
Invested Capital
Netflix Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)
US$ in thousands
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 deferred revenue.
4 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.
5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
6 Subtraction of capital work-in-progress.
7 Subtraction of short-term investments.
The financial data reveals several noteworthy trends related to the capital structure and equity position over the five-year period analyzed.
- Total reported debt & leases
- This liability category shows a general decline from 2020 to 2022, decreasing from approximately 18.51 billion USD to 16.93 billion USD. Following this reduction, the figure remains relatively stable in 2023 before experiencing an increase in 2024, reaching nearly 18.00 billion USD. The initial reduction could indicate active debt management or repayment, while the subsequent rise suggests renewed borrowing or lease obligations arising during the latest year.
- Stockholders’ equity
- Stockholders’ equity demonstrates a consistent and substantial increase throughout the period. Starting from approximately 11.07 billion USD in 2020, the equity nearly doubles by the end of 2022, reaching over 20.78 billion USD. It remains stable in 2023 and then attains a new peak in 2024, exceeding 24.74 billion USD. This upward trend indicates strong retained earnings growth, equity issuances, or other comprehensive income components that strengthen the company's net asset position.
- Invested capital
- Invested capital, representing the total capital deployed in business operations, follows an upward trajectory across all five periods. Beginning at roughly 29.76 billion USD in 2020, it increases steadily to over 40.71 billion USD by 2024. The growth in invested capital aligns with the rise in equity, supported by generally stable debt levels, implying ongoing investment in operational assets or acquisitions expanding the company's capital base.
- Summary
- Overall, the company exhibits a strengthening financial position characterized by rising equity and invested capital. While debt levels declined initially, a slight increase in the most recent year suggests a potential strategic shift or operational financing need. The equity surge significantly outpaces debt growth, indicative of robust internal capital generation or equity financing, thus potentially improving solvency and financial flexibility over time.
Cost of Capital
Netflix Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Senior Notes3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
2 Equity. See details »
3 Senior Notes. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Senior Notes3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
2 Equity. See details »
3 Senior Notes. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Senior Notes3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
2 Equity. See details »
3 Senior Notes. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Senior Notes3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
2 Equity. See details »
3 Senior Notes. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Senior Notes3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
2 Equity. See details »
3 Senior Notes. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
Netflix Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Invested capital2 | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | ||||||
| Comcast Corp. | ||||||
| Meta Platforms Inc. | ||||||
| Trade Desk Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
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.
The economic spread ratio exhibited significant fluctuations over the five-year period. Initially negative, it transitioned to positive territory before reverting to negative values, ultimately concluding with a substantial positive result. This suggests a dynamic relationship between the company’s economic profit and its invested capital.
- Economic Spread Ratio Trend
- In 2020, the economic spread ratio stood at -4.29%, indicating that the company’s return on invested capital was lower than its cost of capital. A notable improvement occurred in 2021, with the ratio rising to 1.17%, signifying that returns exceeded the cost of capital. However, this positive trend was short-lived, as the ratio declined to -3.31% in 2022 and further to -2.57% in 2023. By 2024, the economic spread ratio experienced a considerable increase, reaching 3.88%, demonstrating a substantial improvement in value creation.
The economic spread ratio’s movement mirrors the fluctuations in economic profit. The negative ratios in 2020, 2022, and 2023 correspond with periods of negative economic profit, while the positive ratio in 2021 and particularly in 2024 align with positive economic profit. This correlation highlights the direct impact of profitability on the economic spread.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital consistently increased throughout the period, rising from US$29,762,011 thousand in 2020 to US$40,712,328 thousand in 2024. This growth in invested capital occurred alongside the fluctuating economic spread ratio, suggesting that increased investment did not automatically translate into improved economic returns until 2024.
The substantial positive economic spread ratio in 2024, coupled with the continued growth in invested capital, indicates a potentially significant shift in the company’s ability to generate returns exceeding its cost of capital. Further investigation into the drivers behind the 2024 performance would be warranted.
Economic Profit Margin
Netflix Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Revenues | ||||||
| Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue | ||||||
| Adjusted revenues | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | ||||||
| Comcast Corp. | ||||||
| Meta Platforms Inc. | ||||||
| Trade Desk Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
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 revenues
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The economic profit margin exhibited significant fluctuation over the five-year period. Initially negative, it transitioned to positive territory before reverting to negative values, ultimately concluding with a substantial positive margin.
- Economic Profit Margin Trend
- In 2020, the economic profit margin stood at -5.06%. A considerable improvement was noted in 2021, with the margin increasing to 1.36%. However, this positive trend was short-lived, as the margin declined to -3.95% in 2022 and further to -2.87% in 2023. By 2024, a marked turnaround occurred, with the economic profit margin rising sharply to 4.04%.
The economic profit margin’s movement closely mirrors the changes in economic profit. The negative margins in 2020, 2022, and 2023 correspond with periods of negative economic profit, indicating that the company’s returns were insufficient to cover the cost of capital during those years. Conversely, the positive margins in 2021 and 2024 align with periods of positive economic profit, suggesting value creation for shareholders.
- Relationship to Adjusted Revenues
- Adjusted revenues demonstrated a consistent upward trend throughout the period, increasing from US$25,189,303 thousand in 2020 to US$39,078,810 thousand in 2024. Despite this revenue growth, the economic profit margin remained volatile, indicating that revenue increases alone did not guarantee profitability exceeding the cost of capital. The substantial improvement in the margin in 2024 suggests that factors beyond revenue, such as cost management or capital efficiency, played a crucial role in generating economic profit.
The substantial swing in the economic profit margin from -2.87% in 2023 to 4.04% in 2024 warrants further investigation to understand the underlying drivers of this improvement. A detailed analysis of the components of economic profit, including operating profit and the cost of capital, would be necessary to pinpoint the specific factors contributing to the positive shift.