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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Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Common-Size Income Statement
- Common-Size Balance Sheet: Assets
- Common-Size Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Analysis of Solvency Ratios
- Analysis of Short-term (Operating) Activity Ratios
- Analysis of Reportable Segments
- Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
- Selected Financial Data since 2008
- Return on Equity (ROE) since 2008
- Return on Assets (ROA) since 2008
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Economic Profit
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., economic profit calculation
US$ in millions
| 12 months ended: | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | ||||||
| Cost of capital2 | ||||||
| Invested capital3 | ||||||
| Economic profit4 | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 NOPAT. See details »
2 Cost of capital. See details »
3 Invested capital. See details »
4 2021 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= – × =
The analysis of economic value added over the five-year period from 2017 to 2021 reveals a consistent failure to generate positive economic profit. Despite significant fluctuations in net operating profit after taxes, the cost of capital applied to the invested capital base consistently exceeded the operational returns, resulting in value destruction throughout the analyzed timeframe.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- A volatile trajectory is observed in NOPAT, which began at a deficit of -121 million USD in 2017 before experiencing a sharp increase to peak at 2,393 million USD in 2019. However, a downward trend followed this peak, with profits declining to 1,788 million USD in 2020 and further eroding to 1,066 million USD by 2021.
- Invested Capital and Cost of Capital
- Invested capital saw a substantial expansion between 2017 and 2018, rising from 21,151 million USD to 31,259 million USD, after which it remained relatively stable, hovering around 30,700 million USD. Simultaneously, the cost of capital exhibited volatility, starting at 9.58% in 2017 and reaching a peak of 13.65% in 2020, before moderating to 11.09% in 2021.
- Economic Profit Trends
- Economic profit remained negative for all five years, indicating that the operational earnings were insufficient to cover the imputed cost of the capital employed. The most significant improvement occurred in 2019, where economic profit reached its highest point at -928 million USD, coinciding with the peak in NOPAT. Despite this improvement, the value returned to deeper deficits in 2020 and 2021, ending the period at -2,342 million USD.
- Value Destruction Analysis
- The persistent negative economic profit suggests a systemic gap between the return on invested capital and the cost of capital. Even during the period of highest operational profitability in 2019, the magnitude of invested capital and the associated cost of capital created a hurdle that NOPAT could not overcome, confirming a continuous trend of economic value destruction.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., NOPAT calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »
2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for credit losses.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenues.
4 Addition of increase (decrease) in restructuring and other liabilities.
5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc..
6 2021 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
7 2021 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 income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc..
9 2021 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 Income (Loss) Available to Discovery, Inc.
- The net income experienced significant fluctuations over the five-year period. In 2017, the company reported a net loss of 337 million USD. A substantial turnaround occurred in 2018, with net income improving sharply to 594 million USD. This positive trend continued through 2019, peaking at 2069 million USD, indicating a phase of strong profitability. However, subsequent years showed a decline, with net income falling to 1219 million USD in 2020 and further down to 1006 million USD in 2021. Despite this decline, net income remained positive and considerably higher than the 2017 loss, reflecting sustained profitability after the initial recovery.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- NOPAT mirrored a similar trajectory to net income but on a different scale. The value was negative in 2017 at -121 million USD, indicating operational challenges. A sharp recovery took place in 2018 as NOPAT increased substantially to 1195 million USD. This improvement continued in 2019, reaching a high point of 2393 million USD, which suggests enhanced operational efficiency and profitability. However, the subsequent years showed a downward trend with NOPAT decreasing to 1788 million USD in 2020 and 1066 million USD in 2021. This decline suggests that while operations remained profitable, perhaps operational cost pressures or other factors impacted the efficiency or scale of profit generation.
- Overall Trends and Insights
- Both net income and NOPAT demonstrate a recovery from losses in 2017 to strong profitability in 2019. This trend indicates successful strategic or operational changes during these years. However, the decline in the last two years suggests emerging challenges or market conditions affecting profitability. Despite this decline, the company maintained positive earnings, indicating resilience. The gap between NOPAT and net income also suggests consistent tax impacts and possibly financing costs that moderated net income compared to operating profits.
Cash Operating Taxes
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., cash operating taxes calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
- Provision for Income Taxes
- The provision for income taxes fluctuated significantly over the analyzed period. Starting at 176 million US dollars in 2017, it increased sharply to 341 million in 2018. This was followed by a notable decline to 81 million in 2019. Subsequently, the provision rose again to 373 million in 2020 before decreasing to 236 million in 2021. These fluctuations indicate variability in the company’s taxable income or tax planning strategies over the years.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes demonstrated a generally increasing trend throughout the period. From 537 million US dollars in 2017, the amount increased steadily to 627 million in 2018 and further to 728 million in 2019. Although there was a slight decline to 698 million in 2020, the figure rebounded to reach a peak of 880 million in 2021. This overall upward trajectory may suggest growing taxable operations or changes in tax payment timing and cash flow management.
Invested Capital
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
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 deferred revenues.
5 Addition of restructuring and other liabilities.
6 Addition of equity equivalents to total Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity.
7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
8 Subtraction of assets under construction.
9 Subtraction of equity investments with readily determinable fair values.
The financial data reveals several notable trends over the five-year period ending December 31, 2021. The total reported debt and leases exhibited fluctuation rather than a consistent trajectory. Starting at approximately $14.99 billion in 2017, the debt increased notably to about $17.78 billion in 2018. Subsequently, it declined over the next three years, reaching approximately $15.64 billion in 2021. This suggests a period of increased borrowing followed by a gradual reduction or restructuring of debt obligations.
Stockholders’ equity showed a consistent and robust upward trend throughout the period. Beginning at $4.61 billion in 2017, equity rose sharply to approximately $8.39 billion in 2018 and continued to increase steadily year-over-year, reaching about $11.60 billion by 2021. This steady growth in equity indicates an improvement in the company’s net asset position and indicates potentially positive retained earnings or capital injections over time.
Invested capital peaked in 2018 at approximately $31.26 billion, having increased significantly from $21.15 billion in 2017. Following 2018, invested capital remained relatively stable through 2021, hovering around $30.7 billion without substantial increase or decrease. This stabilization after an initial sharp rise could imply a plateau in new investments or acquisitions during the latter part of the period under review.
- Total Reported Debt & Leases
- Increased from 2017 to 2018, then gradually decreased each subsequent year, ending lower in 2021 than its peak.
- Total Stockholders’ Equity
- Displayed continuous and steady growth across the entire period, indicating strengthening financial foundations.
- Invested Capital
- Experienced a significant rise from 2017 to 2018, followed by a plateau, remaining relatively unchanged from 2018 through 2021.
Cost of Capital
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 35.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 35.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Invested capital2 | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | ||||||
| Comcast Corp. | ||||||
| Meta Platforms Inc. | ||||||
| Netflix Inc. | ||||||
| Trade Desk Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 Invested capital. See details »
3 2021 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =
4 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial performance from 2017 to 2021 is characterized by a consistent inability to generate positive economic value. The persistence of negative economic profit indicates that the returns on invested capital were insufficient to cover the cost of capital throughout the entire five-year period.
- Economic Profit Trends
- Economic profit remained negative throughout the period, showing significant volatility. While a notable recovery occurred in 2019, with losses narrowing to -928 million, the trend reversed sharply in 2020. By 2021, economic profit remained deeply negative at -2,342 million, reflecting a pattern of inconsistent value creation.
- Invested Capital Dynamics
- A substantial increase in invested capital was recorded between 2017 and 2018, rising from 21,151 million to 31,259 million. Following this expansion, the capital base remained relatively stagnant, oscillating narrowly between 30,674 million and 30,994 million from 2019 through 2021.
- Economic Spread Ratio Analysis
- The economic spread ratio remained in negative territory for the duration of the analysis, confirming that the cost of capital consistently exceeded the internal rate of return. An improving trajectory was observed from 2017 (-10.15%) to a peak in 2019 (-3.00%); however, this gain was erased in 2020, and the ratio ended the period at -7.62% in 2021.
Economic Profit Margin
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Revenues | ||||||
| Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues | ||||||
| Adjusted revenues | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | ||||||
| Comcast Corp. | ||||||
| Meta Platforms Inc. | ||||||
| Netflix Inc. | ||||||
| Trade Desk Inc. | ||||||
| Walt Disney Co. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2021 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted revenues
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
Between 2017 and 2021, the organization consistently operated with a negative economic profit, indicating that returns on invested capital remained below the cost of capital throughout the observed period. Despite substantial growth in adjusted revenues, the entity failed to transition to positive economic value added, maintaining a persistent deficit in value creation.
- Economic Profit Trajectory
- Economic profit remained negative across all five years, oscillating between a low of -2,420 million USD in 2018 and a relative peak of -928 million USD in 2019. The volatility suggests inconsistent capital efficiency, with a significant reduction in losses during 2019 followed by a return to substantial deficits in 2020 and 2021, where figures settled around -2,300 million USD.
- Adjusted Revenue Growth
- A general upward trend in adjusted revenues is observed, expanding from 6,952 million USD in 2017 to 12,115 million USD by 2021. While this indicates a significant increase in operational scale and market reach, the growth in revenue did not correlate with an improvement in the absolute economic profit, suggesting that the cost of capital or operational inefficiencies scaled alongside revenue.
- Economic Profit Margin Analysis
- The economic profit margin mirrored the volatility of absolute economic profit, beginning at -30.89% in 2017. A notable improvement occurred in 2019, where the margin reached its highest point at -8.16%. However, this gain was reversed in 2020 as the margin dropped to -22.36%, before showing a slight recovery to -19.33% in 2021. The persistent negative margins indicate that the organization consistently failed to generate sufficient operating profit to cover its cost of capital.