Stock Analysis on Net

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since July 9, 2020.

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.

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Economic Profit

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Aug 31, 2019 Aug 31, 2018 Aug 31, 2017 Aug 31, 2016 Aug 31, 2015 Aug 31, 2014
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2019 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Aug 31, 2019 Aug 31, 2018 Aug 31, 2017 Aug 31, 2016 Aug 31, 2015 Aug 31, 2014
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve3
Increase (decrease) in liabilities related to the exit and disposal activities4
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents5
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, operating lease liability6
Adjusted interest expense, net
Tax benefit of interest expense, net7
Adjusted interest expense, net, after taxes8
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income9
Investment income, after taxes10
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve. See details »

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in liabilities related to the exit and disposal activities.

5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc..

6 2019 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

7 2019 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense, net = Adjusted interest expense, net × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

8 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc..

9 2019 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

10 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
The net earnings exhibit volatility over the six-year period. Starting at 1,932 million USD in 2014, there is a significant increase to 4,220 million USD in 2015. This level is mostly sustained through 2016 and 2017, with values of 4,173 and 4,078 million USD respectively. In 2018, net earnings peak at 5,024 million USD, marking the highest point in the period analyzed. However, a decline occurs in 2019, where earnings fall to 3,982 million USD, indicating a downward shift after the 2018 peak.
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT shows an overall upward trend with some fluctuations. Beginning at 3,086 million USD in 2014, it rises sharply to 5,501 million USD in 2015. After this peak, it dips to 4,855 million USD in 2016, before increasing again in 2017 and 2018 to 5,246 and 5,934 million USD respectively. The highest NOPAT value is recorded in 2018. In 2019, NOPAT slightly decreases to 5,719 million USD but remains close to the peak level, indicating relatively stable operating profitability in recent years compared to net earnings.

Cash Operating Taxes

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Aug 31, 2019 Aug 31, 2018 Aug 31, 2017 Aug 31, 2016 Aug 31, 2015 Aug 31, 2014
Income tax provision
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense, net
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31).


Income Tax Provision
The income tax provision exhibited a general downward trend from 2014 to 2019. Beginning at $1,526 million in 2014, the figure decreased steadily through subsequent years, reaching $588 million in 2019. Notably, the most significant decline occurred between 2017 and 2019.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes remained relatively stable between 2014 and 2018, fluctuating within a narrow range from $1,667 million to $1,856 million. However, in 2019, there was a sharp decrease to $831 million, which represents a substantial reduction compared to the previous years.
Overall Observations
Both income tax provision and cash operating taxes showed significant declines by 2019 compared to earlier periods. While income tax provision steadily decreased over the years, cash operating taxes were stable for several years before dropping markedly in the last year observed. These trends may reflect changes in tax policies, operational adjustments, or shifts in taxable income and cash tax payments.

Invested Capital

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Aug 31, 2019 Aug 31, 2018 Aug 31, 2017 Aug 31, 2016 Aug 31, 2015 Aug 31, 2014
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
LIFO reserve4
Liabilities related to the exit and disposal activities5
Equity equivalents6
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax7
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity
Available-for-sale investments8
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31).

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 LIFO reserve. See details »

5 Addition of liabilities related to the exit and disposal activities.

6 Addition of equity equivalents to total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity.

7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

8 Subtraction of available-for-sale investments.


The financial data reveals several notable trends concerning the company's capital structure and invested capital over the six-year period ending in 2019.

Total reported debt & leases
This figure shows an overall increasing trend from 31,909 million USD in 2014 to 43,464 million USD in 2019, with a peak at 46,508 million USD in 2016. After reaching this peak, there is a decline in 2017 to 39,129 million USD, followed by a gradual increase again through 2018 and 2019. This pattern suggests a significant increase in leveraging activities up to 2016, some deleveraging or repayment in 2017, and subsequent additional borrowings or lease liabilities through 2019.
Total shareholders’ equity
Shareholders' equity exhibits a declining trend over the period. Starting at 20,457 million USD in 2014, the equity rose sharply to 30,861 million USD in 2015 but then continuously decreased each year thereafter to 23,512 million USD by 2019. This reduction over time indicates a depletion of equity capital, which could be attributed to factors such as sustained net losses, dividend distributions exceeding net income, share repurchases, or other equity-reducing activities.
Invested capital
The invested capital closely aligns with the combined effect of debt and equity, representing the total capital used in operations. It increased substantially from 55,001 million USD in 2014 to a peak of 85,356 million USD in 2016. Following this peak, invested capital decreased to 76,485 million USD in 2017 and remained relatively stable, with a slight increase, reaching 77,429 million USD by 2019. This behavior suggests expansion or acquisition activity up to 2016, followed by a period of consolidation or capital optimization in subsequent years.

In summary, the company experienced considerable growth in debt financing and invested capital until 2016, accompanied by an initial rise and then a steady decline in shareholders' equity. The data implies a strategic shift post-2016, characterized by deleveraging and stabilization of invested capital, while equity erosion continued, highlighting potential risks related to capital structure and financial sustainability.


Cost of Capital

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-08-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 25.70%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 25.70%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-08-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2017-08-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Aug 31, 2019 Aug 31, 2018 Aug 31, 2017 Aug 31, 2016 Aug 31, 2015 Aug 31, 2014
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Costco Wholesale Corp.
Target Corp.
Walmart Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2019 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Economic Profit Margin

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Aug 31, 2019 Aug 31, 2018 Aug 31, 2017 Aug 31, 2016 Aug 31, 2015 Aug 31, 2014
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Sales
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Costco Wholesale Corp.
Target Corp.
Walmart Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-08-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-08-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2019 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Sales
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Sales
Sales showed a consistent upward trend throughout the six-year period. Starting at 76,392 million US dollars in 2014, sales increased substantially each year, reaching 136,866 million US dollars by 2019. This represents an overall growth of approximately 79% over the period, indicating strong revenue expansion.
Economic Profit
Economic profit was negative in every year analyzed, reflecting a lack of economic value added by the company during this time frame. The loss peaked in 2016 at -3,578 million US dollars, after which a noticeable improvement trend began, reducing the losses to -1,068 million US dollars by 2019. Although still negative, the shrinking losses suggest gradual enhancements in operational efficiency or cost management.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin mirrored the economic profit trend, remaining negative throughout the period but improving steadily each year. It declined from -2.99% in 2014 to -0.78% in 2019. This improvement indicates that while the company was not profitable on an economic profit basis, it was moving closer to breakeven, enhancing the relative profitability of sales over time.
Overall Analysis
Despite robust sales growth, the persistent negative economic profit and margin point to underlying issues in generating value beyond the cost of capital. However, the trend towards reduced economic losses and improving margins could indicate effective strategic adjustments or improved cost structures. Continued focus on addressing these economic profitability challenges will be essential for long-term value creation.