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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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Trade Desk Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Common-Size Income Statement
- Analysis of Solvency Ratios
- DuPont Analysis: Disaggregation of ROE, ROA, and Net Profit Margin
- Present Value of Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE)
- Return on Equity (ROE) since 2016
- Return on Assets (ROA) since 2016
- Total Asset Turnover since 2016
- Price to Operating Profit (P/OP) since 2016
- Price to Book Value (P/BV) since 2016
- Aggregate Accruals
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Economic Profit
| 12 months ended: | Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | ||||||
| Cost of capital2 | ||||||
| Invested capital3 | ||||||
| Economic profit4 | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 NOPAT. See details »
2 Cost of capital. See details »
3 Invested capital. See details »
4 2025 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= – × =
The financial trajectory from 2021 to 2025 demonstrates a significant transition from value destruction to value creation. While economic profit remained negative for the majority of the period, a pivotal shift occurred in 2025, marking the first instance where the entity generated a positive economic profit of US$ 192.8 million.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- A volatile but strongly upward trajectory is observed. Following a sharp decline in 2022 to US$ 27.0 million, NOPAT experienced accelerated growth, reaching US$ 579.2 million by 2025. This growth served as the primary driver for the eventual positive economic profit.
- Cost of Capital
- The cost of capital remained remarkably stable throughout the analyzed period, consistently hovering around 18.7%. A marginal decrease to 18.27% was recorded in 2025, indicating a steady requirement for returns on invested capital.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital exhibited fluctuations, rising from US$ 1.54 billion in 2021 to a peak of US$ 2.46 billion in 2024. A subsequent reduction to US$ 2.11 billion in 2025 coincided with the shift to positive economic profit, suggesting improved capital efficiency.
- Economic Profit Analysis
- Economic profit reached its lowest point in 2022 at negative US$ 321.9 million. A recovery trend began in 2023, characterized by a steady reduction in losses. The reversal to a positive state in 2025 indicates that the operating returns finally exceeded the total cost of capital employed.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »
2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for credit losses.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income.
4 2025 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
5 2025 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 2025 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 operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited significant fluctuations over the five-year period. While net income demonstrated volatility, the trend in NOPAT presents a more pronounced pattern of initial decline followed by substantial recovery and growth.
- Overall Trend
- NOPAT decreased considerably from 2021 to 2022, then experienced a period of moderate growth in 2023. A substantial increase occurred between 2023 and 2024, and this upward trajectory continued into 2025, resulting in the highest NOPAT value within the observed timeframe.
- Year-over-Year Changes
- A significant decrease in NOPAT is observed from US$127,366 thousand in 2021 to US$27,018 thousand in 2022, representing a substantial contraction. The subsequent year, 2023, showed improvement, with NOPAT reaching US$73,055 thousand. However, the most dramatic change occurred between 2023 and 2024, with NOPAT increasing to US$264,450 thousand. This growth continued in 2025, with NOPAT reaching US$579,226 thousand.
- Relationship to Net Income
- While both net income and NOPAT experienced fluctuations, NOPAT’s decline in 2022 was more pronounced than that of net income. Conversely, the growth in NOPAT from 2024 to 2025 outpaced the growth in net income, suggesting increasing operational efficiency or changes in the capital structure impacting the calculation of NOPAT. The difference between net income and NOPAT remained consistent throughout the period, indicating a stable relationship between non-operating items and net income.
The substantial recovery and growth in NOPAT from 2023 onwards suggest a positive shift in the company’s operational performance and profitability. Further investigation into the factors driving these changes would be beneficial for a comprehensive understanding of the company’s financial health.
Cash Operating Taxes
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
The provision for (benefit from) income taxes and cash operating taxes exhibit distinct trends over the observed period. The provision for income taxes demonstrates a significant shift from a benefit in 2021 to substantial provisions in subsequent years, indicating increasing tax liabilities. Conversely, cash operating taxes show a more volatile pattern, peaking in 2023 and declining sharply in 2025.
- Provision for Income Taxes
- A substantial benefit from income taxes was recorded in 2021, amounting to negative US$15.726 million. This was followed by a marked increase in provisions, reaching US$73.985 million in 2022, US$89.055 million in 2023, US$114.226 million in 2024, and further increasing to US$215.451 million in 2025. This consistent upward trend suggests growing taxable income and potentially changes in applicable tax rates or available tax credits.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes began at US$4.359 million in 2021, increasing significantly to US$98.789 million in 2022. This growth continued into 2023, reaching US$137.273 million, and then to US$175.853 million in 2024. However, a considerable decrease is observed in 2025, with cash operating taxes falling to US$32.711 million. This decline could be attributed to various factors, including changes in tax payment schedules, utilization of tax loss carryforwards, or adjustments to estimated tax payments.
The divergence between the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes is noteworthy. While the provision for income taxes consistently increased, cash operating taxes peaked in 2024 and then decreased substantially in 2025. This difference suggests a timing mismatch between the recognition of taxable income and the actual cash outflow for taxes. Further investigation would be required to determine the specific reasons for this discrepancy, such as deferred tax assets or liabilities, or changes in the timing of tax payments.
Invested Capital
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
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 equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.
5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
6 Subtraction of construction in progress.
7 Subtraction of short-term investments, net.
The reported invested capital exhibited a fluctuating pattern over the five-year period. Initially, a growth trajectory was observed, followed by a decline and subsequent increase, culminating in a final decrease. A detailed examination of the components contributing to invested capital reveals further insights.
- Total Invested Capital Trend
- Invested capital increased from US$1,539,599 thousand in 2021 to US$1,865,761 thousand in 2022, representing a growth of approximately 21.1%. A subsequent decrease was noted in 2023, with invested capital falling to US$1,764,443 thousand. This was followed by a significant increase in 2024, reaching US$2,455,827 thousand. Finally, invested capital decreased to US$2,114,481 thousand in 2025.
- Debt & Leases
- Total reported debt and leases generally decreased from 2021 to 2023, moving from US$284,598 thousand to US$235,893 thousand. However, a substantial increase occurred in 2024, rising to US$312,215 thousand, and continued into 2025, reaching US$436,330 thousand. This suggests a shift towards increased reliance on debt financing in the later years of the period.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Stockholders’ equity demonstrated a consistent increase from 2021 to 2024. It rose from US$1,527,306 thousand in 2021 to US$2,949,145 thousand in 2024. However, a decrease was observed in 2025, with equity falling to US$2,484,391 thousand. This suggests potential factors impacting equity value in the most recent year, such as share repurchases or changes in retained earnings.
The interplay between debt and equity significantly influences the overall invested capital. The increase in debt in 2024 and 2025, coupled with the decrease in equity in 2025, contributed to the overall decline in invested capital observed in the final year. The fluctuations in invested capital warrant further investigation to understand the underlying drivers and their implications for the company’s financial performance and risk profile.
Cost of Capital
Trade Desk Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Operating lease liability3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31).
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Operating lease liability3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Operating lease liability3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31).
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Operating lease liability3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Operating lease liability3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).
Economic Spread Ratio
| Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||||||
| Netflix Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 Invested capital. See details »
3 2025 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =
4 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial trajectory from 2021 to 2025 indicates a significant transition from economic value destruction to value creation. Following a period of widening deficits, there is a clear recovery trend culminating in positive economic performance by the final year of the period.
- Economic Spread Ratio
- The economic spread ratio exhibited a volatile U-shaped trend. A decline is noted between 2021 and 2022, where the ratio dropped from -10.44% to a period low of -17.25%. Subsequently, a consistent recovery occurred, with the ratio improving to -14.59% in 2023 and -7.93% in 2024. By 2025, the ratio shifted into positive territory, reaching 9.12%, signaling that the return on invested capital has surpassed the cost of capital.
- Economic Profit
- Economic profit followed a similar pattern of initial decline followed by steady improvement. The negative value deepened from -160,732 thousand US$ in 2021 to -321,893 thousand US$ in 2022. From 2023 onward, the economic loss narrowed consistently, moving to -257,422 thousand US$ and -194,727 thousand US$ in 2024, before finally turning positive at 192,831 thousand US$ in 2025.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital demonstrated fluctuations throughout the analysis period. An increase was observed from 1,539,599 thousand US$ in 2021 to 1,865,761 thousand US$ in 2022, followed by a slight contraction to 1,764,443 thousand US$ in 2023. A peak in capital investment occurred in 2024 at 2,455,827 thousand US$, before moderating to 2,114,481 thousand US$ in 2025.
The correlation between the narrowing economic profit deficit and the rising economic spread ratio suggests an increase in operational efficiency and a more effective utilization of invested capital. The transition to a positive economic spread in 2025 marks the point at which the entity began generating returns in excess of its cost of capital.
Economic Profit Margin
| Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Revenue | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | ||||||
| Comcast Corp. | ||||||
| Meta Platforms Inc. | ||||||
| Netflix Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Revenue
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial performance over the analyzed five-year period indicates a transition from value destruction to value creation. Although the company operated with negative economic profit for the majority of the period, a consistent recovery trend emerged following 2022, culminating in a shift to positive economic value added by the end of 2025.
- Revenue Growth Trajectory
- A consistent upward trend in revenue is observed, increasing from US$ 1,196,467 thousand in 2021 to US$ 2,896,284 thousand in 2025. This steady expansion provides the necessary scale to support the eventual improvement in economic profitability.
- Economic Profit Evolution
- Economic profit reached a trough in 2022 at -US$ 321,893 thousand. Subsequently, a recovery phase began, with losses narrowing to -US$ 257,422 thousand in 2023 and -US$ 194,727 thousand in 2024. The trend concluded with a positive economic profit of US$ 192,831 thousand in 2025, signaling that the company began generating returns in excess of its cost of capital.
- Economic Profit Margin Analysis
- The economic profit margin exhibited a notable "V-shaped" recovery. After declining from -13.43% in 2021 to a low of -20.40% in 2022, the margin improved sequentially to -13.23% in 2023 and -7.96% in 2024. The transition to a positive margin of 6.66% in 2025 confirms an increase in operational efficiency and capital utilization relative to the revenue base.