Stock Analysis on Net

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)

$24.99

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

Abbott Laboratories, economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
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
= × =


Analysis of the financial data reveals several key trends in the company's performance over the five-year period.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT increased significantly from 4,838 million US dollars in 2020 to a peak of 7,014 million US dollars in 2021. Following this peak, it experienced a decline in 2022 to 6,718 million, with a more pronounced drop in 2023 to 5,289 million. A slight recovery is noted in 2024, reaching 5,601 million. Overall, the trend shows initial growth followed by a contraction and some stabilization at a lower level than the peak.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital exhibited a gradual upward trend throughout the period. Starting at 11.26% in 2020, it increased incrementally each year, reaching 11.67% by 2024. This rising cost suggests increasing expenses related to the company's financing or required return expectations by investors.
Invested Capital
Invested capital showed moderate fluctuations but remained relatively stable. Beginning at 60,387 million US dollars in 2020, it rose to 62,076 million in 2021, then decreased slightly to 61,288 million in 2022. In the subsequent years, capital employed declined further to 59,651 million in 2023 before a minor increase to 60,065 million in 2024. This indicates limited changes in the asset base or capital investments over the period.
Economic Profit
The economic profit figures reveal a challenging period overall. After a substantial negative value of -1,963 million US dollars in 2020, economic profit improved sharply to a marginal positive value of 9 million in 2021. However, this was not sustained, with returns dipping back into negative territory from 2022 onward, reaching -269 million then worsening to -1,585 million in 2023 and -1,411 million in 2024. This pattern underscores difficulties in generating returns above the company's cost of capital despite earlier improvements.

In summary, the company experienced a peak in operating profit in 2021 followed by decline and partial recovery, while invested capital remained fairly steady. The cost of capital increased steadily throughout the period, negatively impacting economic profit, which saw a brief positive stage but ultimately returned to significant negative values by 2024. The data suggests challenges in creating value relative to capital costs during the latter years analyzed.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Abbott Laboratories, NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Net earnings
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in restructuring Plans, accrued balance3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense6
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes7
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income8
Investment income, after taxes9
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax10
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

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 allowance for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in restructuring Plans, accrued balance.

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

5 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2024 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net earnings.

8 2024 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

9 Elimination of after taxes investment income.

10 Elimination of discontinued operations.


The financial performance over the observed periods highlights variability in both net earnings and net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT), with distinct trends and fluctuations evident.

Net Earnings
Net earnings demonstrated significant growth from 2020 to 2021, increasing from 4,495 million US dollars to 7,071 million US dollars. Following this peak, there was a slight decline in 2022 to 6,933 million US dollars, and a more pronounced decrease in 2023 to 5,723 million US dollars. However, in 2024, net earnings surged substantially, reaching 13,402 million US dollars, representing the highest value in the entire period under review.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT also exhibited a rising trend from 2020 to 2021, increasing from 4,838 million US dollars to 7,014 million US dollars. Subsequently, NOPAT decreased each year through 2023, falling to 5,289 million US dollars. In 2024, there was a modest recovery, with NOPAT rising to 5,601 million US dollars, although this value remained below the peak observed in 2021.

The patterns indicate a strong performance improvement initially, peaking in 2021 for both profitability metrics, followed by a downturn over the next two years. Notably, net earnings exhibited a remarkable recovery and acceleration in 2024, far exceeding previous years' performance, whereas NOPAT showed only a slight improvement without returning to earlier peak levels. This divergence in 2024 suggests that factors impacting net earnings positively may not have equivalently affected operating efficiency or core profitability as measured by NOPAT.


Cash Operating Taxes

Abbott Laboratories, cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Taxes on earnings from continuing operations
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

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 data reveals notable fluctuations in both taxes on earnings from continuing operations and cash operating taxes over the five-year period analyzed.

Taxes on earnings from continuing operations

This item shows an overall increasing trend from 497 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 1,373 million USD in 2022, followed by a decline to 941 million USD in 2023. Notably, 2024 exhibits a significant negative value of -6,389 million USD, indicating a substantial tax benefit or reversal relative to earnings taxation for that year.

Cash operating taxes

Cash operating taxes also increased from 718 million USD in 2020 to 2,118 million USD in 2022. However, in contrast to taxes on earnings, cash operating taxes declined only slightly to 1,463 million USD in 2023, followed by a moderate increase to 1,626 million USD in 2024. The cash tax payments did not reflect the large negative swing seen in tax expenses on earnings for 2024.

This divergence in 2024 between taxes on earnings and cash operating taxes may suggest the presence of deferred tax assets, tax refunds, adjustments, or accounting reclassifications influencing reported earnings taxes without an immediate effect on cash taxes paid. The general increase in both tax metrics until 2022 aligns with growing taxable earnings or changes in tax rates but the pronounced changes in 2023 and especially 2024 highlight significant tax-related events or accounting impacts during these years.


Invested Capital

Abbott Laboratories, invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Abbott shareholders’ investment
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
Restructuring Plans, accrued balance4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
Adjusted total Abbott shareholders’ investment
Construction in progress7
Marketable securities8
Invested capital

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 allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

4 Addition of restructuring Plans, accrued balance.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Abbott shareholders’ investment.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of construction in progress.

8 Subtraction of marketable securities.


Total reported debt & leases

The total reported debt and leases demonstrate a consistent downward trend over the observed five-year period. Beginning at approximately 19,890 million US dollars in 2020, the debt level gradually decreased each year, reaching around 15,275 million US dollars by the end of 2024. This steady reduction suggests a focus on debt management or deleveraging initiatives, contributing to an improved financial structure.

Total Abbott shareholders’ investment

Shareholders’ investment exhibits a steady increase across the years. Starting at 32,784 million US dollars in 2020, this figure rose progressively to 47,664 million US dollars by 2024. The growth reflects a strengthening equity base, possibly due to accumulated earnings, retained profits, or new equity infusions, enhancing the company's financial stability and shareholder value.

Invested capital

Invested capital shows a relatively stable pattern with slight fluctuations throughout the period. The value starts at 60,387 million US dollars in 2020 and peaks near 62,076 million in 2021 before slightly declining and stabilizing around 60,065 million by 2024. This relative stability indicates consistent investment levels in the business operations and assets, with minor adjustments potentially reflecting operational changes or capital expenditure variations.

Overall Insights

The financial data highlights a strategic decrease in debt concurrent with increasing shareholder equity, indicating a strengthening financial position. The reduction in debt paired with rising equity suggests improved solvency and reduced financial risk. Stability in invested capital implies maintained operational capacity, supporting sustainable growth. Collectively, these trends point to robust financial management and a focus on enhancing the company’s balance sheet quality over the observed period.


Cost of Capital

Abbott Laboratories, cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

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

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

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

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (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 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (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 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Abbott Laboratories, economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Elevance Health Inc.
Intuitive Surgical Inc.
Medtronic PLC
UnitedHealth Group Inc.

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.


Economic Profit
The economic profit shows a highly volatile trend over the five-year period. It starts with a significant negative value of -1963 million US dollars in 2020, followed by a positive but marginal profit of 9 million in 2021. This brief positive spike is succeeded by a return to negative values in the subsequent years, with -269 million in 2022, and a sharp decline to -1585 million in 2023. In 2024, the economic profit improves slightly but remains deeply negative at -1411 million. This pattern indicates challenges in achieving consistent profitability and suggests periods of operational or capital inefficiencies.
Invested Capital
The invested capital remains relatively stable across the period, fluctuating within a narrow range. Starting at 60,387 million US dollars in 2020, it increases moderately to 62,076 million in 2021 before experiencing a gradual decline to 61,288 million in 2022 and further down to 59,651 million in 2023. In 2024, there is a small recovery to 60,065 million. These movements indicate modest adjustments in the capital base, with no significant expansions or contractions.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio mirrors the trend in economic profit, with mostly negative values throughout the period, indicating returns on invested capital below the cost of capital. It starts at -3.25% in 2020, moves slightly positive to 0.02% in 2021, and then declines again to -0.44% in 2022. The ratio worsens significantly in 2023 to -2.66% and slightly improves to -2.35% in 2024. This ratio confirms ongoing challenges in generating returns that exceed capital costs and reflects the underlying issues seen in the economic profit figures.

Economic Profit Margin

Abbott Laboratories, economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Net sales
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Elevance Health Inc.
Intuitive Surgical Inc.
Medtronic PLC
UnitedHealth Group Inc.

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 ÷ Net sales
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Economic Profit
The economic profit exhibited significant volatility over the five-year period. It started with a substantial negative figure of -1963 million US dollars in 2020, then improved sharply to a marginal positive value of 9 million in 2021. However, this improvement was not sustained, as economic profit turned negative again in 2022, with -269 million, and further deteriorated in 2023 and 2024 to -1585 million and -1411 million respectively. This trend indicates fluctuating profitability, with challenges in maintaining positive economic value beyond 2021.
Net Sales
Net sales showed overall growth from 34,608 million US dollars in 2020 to a peak of 43,653 million in 2022. However, sales declined to 40,109 million in 2023 before slightly rebounding to 41,950 million in 2024. Despite the dip, the net sales figures in 2023 and 2024 remain above the initial 2020 level, suggesting some resilience in revenues but also potential market or operational pressures impacting sales after 2022.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin mirrored the pattern observed in economic profit values. It was negative at -5.67% in 2020, nearly neutralized at 0.02% in 2021, and then dropped back into negative territory in subsequent years: -0.62% in 2022, -3.95% in 2023, and -3.36% in 2024. This indicates that the economic efficiency of generating profit relative to sales has been inconsistent, with an inability to sustain positive margins past 2021.
Summary Insights
The data reflects a period of financial instability characterized by an initial recovery in 2021, followed by a regression in both economic profitability and economic profit margin. Although net sales improved substantially between 2020 and 2022, they declined somewhat thereafter. The disconnect between rising sales and declining economic profit suggests increased costs, investment challenges, or margin pressures. Overall, the company faced difficulties sustaining economically profitable growth through the most recent years presented.