Stock Analysis on Net

Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:MO)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since October 31, 2024.

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.


Economic Profit

Altria Group Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2023 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT demonstrates significant volatility over the analyzed five-year period. Starting with a negative value in 2019, the metric surged positively in 2020, then decreased markedly in 2021, followed by strong gains in 2022 and further improvement in 2023. This pattern indicates periods of fluctuating profitability but an overall upward trajectory by the end of the period.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital remains relatively stable through the years, fluctuating slightly between 8.96% and 9.61%. The small movements indicate a consistent capital cost structure despite external market or operational changes. The highest value occurred in 2022, which might correlate with increased risks or changes in the financial environment in that year.
Invested Capital
There is a clear downward trend in invested capital from 2019 to 2023. The invested capital decreased steadily by nearly 33% over the period. This decline might reflect divestitures, asset optimization, or a strategic shift towards leaner capital utilization.
Economic Profit
Economic profit fluctuated significantly, moving from a large loss in 2019 to positive territory in 2020, back to a negative in 2021, and then rising substantially in 2022 and 2023. This suggests that the company faced challenges in generating value over and above its cost of capital intermittently but showed strong value creation in the last two years.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Altria Group Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Net earnings (losses) attributable to Altria
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve2
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents3
Interest expense
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense4
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes5
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income6
Investment income, after taxes7
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

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

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net earnings (losses) attributable to Altria.

4 2023 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

5 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net earnings (losses) attributable to Altria.

6 2023 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net earnings (losses) attributable to Altria
The net earnings attributable to the company demonstrated significant volatility over the analyzed period. In 2019, the company reported a net loss of $1,293 million. However, a substantial recovery occurred in 2020, with net earnings increasing sharply to $4,467 million. This positive trend continued, albeit with fluctuations, as earnings decreased to $2,475 million in 2021 before rising again to $5,764 million in 2022 and further to $8,130 million in 2023. Overall, the data indicates a strong recovery and growth in earnings after the initial loss in 2019.
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT mirrored the pattern observed in net earnings, starting with a negative value of $482 million in 2019. This figure increased significantly to $5,245 million in 2020, reflecting improved operational profitability. After a decline to $2,233 million in 2021, NOPAT rebounded to $5,753 million in 2022 and further increased to $8,681 million in 2023. These trends signify a recovery in operating performance, with NOPAT surpassing net earnings figures consistently from 2020 onward, indicating effective operational management and tax impact considerations.

Cash Operating Taxes

Altria Group Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
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: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).


Provision (benefit) for income taxes
The provision for income taxes experienced fluctuations over the five-year period. Starting at 2,064 million USD in 2019, it rose substantially to 2,436 million USD in 2020. A marked decline occurred in 2021, with the provision dropping to 1,349 million USD, followed by a moderate increase to 1,625 million USD in 2022. In 2023, the provision escalated sharply to 2,798 million USD, reaching its highest level in the observed period.
Cash operating taxes
Cash operating taxes showed a consistent upward trend across the years. The amount increased from 2,428 million USD in 2019 to 2,854 million USD in 2020. Although there was a minor decrease in 2021 to 2,753 million USD, the overall trajectory remained positive, with values climbing to 2,794 million USD in 2022 and further rising to 3,236 million USD in 2023. This indicates a steady growth in cash outflows related to operating taxes over the period.
Comparative Insights
While cash operating taxes demonstrated a relatively stable and progressive increase, the provision for income taxes displayed more volatility, with notable decreases and increases. The divergence between provision and cash taxes in some years, particularly in 2021 and 2023, could suggest variations in deferred tax accounting or changing tax planning strategies. The significant rise in both provisions and cash taxes in 2023 warrants careful examination to understand underlying drivers such as changes in taxable income or tax rates.

Invested Capital

Altria Group Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to Altria
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities1
LIFO reserve2
Equity equivalents3
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax4
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to Altria
Construction in progress5
Invested capital

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

2 Addition of LIFO reserve. See details »

3 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to Altria.

4 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

5 Subtraction of construction in progress.


Total reported debt & leases

The total reported debt and leases show a relatively stable yet slightly declining trend over the five-year period. Starting at $28,042 million in 2019, the figure increased moderately to $29,471 million in 2020, signaling a short-term rise in liabilities. However, from 2021 onwards, the debt levels consistently decreased each year, falling to $28,044 million in 2021, $26,680 million in 2022, and further down to $26,233 million in 2023. This pattern suggests an effort to reduce overall debt and lease obligations after a peak in 2020.

Stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to Altria

The stockholders' equity attributable to the company experienced a marked and continuous decline throughout the period. Beginning at $6,222 million in 2019, equity reduced sharply to $2,839 million in 2020. In 2021, equity became negative, registering at -$1,606 million, indicating that liabilities exceeded assets. The negative trend intensified in subsequent years, reaching -$3,973 million in 2022 and slightly improving to -$3,540 million in 2023. This deterioration reflects possible sustained losses, share repurchases, or other factors diminishing equity value over time.

Invested capital

Invested capital demonstrated a clear downward trend from 2019 through 2023. It started relatively high at $42,624 million in 2019, followed by a moderate decline to $41,498 million in 2020. The reduction accelerated thereafter, with invested capital dropping to $33,524 million in 2021, and further to $28,802 million in 2022 and $28,647 million in 2023. The consistent decrease in invested capital suggests contraction in assets employed in the business or disposition of investments over the analyzed timeframe.


Cost of Capital

Altria Group Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

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

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

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

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Altria Group Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Coca-Cola Co.
Mondelēz International Inc.
PepsiCo Inc.
Philip Morris International Inc.

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2023 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Economic Profit
The economic profit exhibited significant fluctuations during the period analyzed. Initially, there was a substantial negative economic profit of -$4,372 million in 2019, indicating economic losses. This turned positive in 2020, reaching $1,526 million, before declining again to -$908 million in 2021. Subsequently, there was a sustained and notable recovery, with economic profit increasing to $2,984 million in 2022 and further to $5,999 million in 2023, reflecting improved profitability and value creation.
Invested Capital
Invested capital demonstrated a consistent downward trend over the analyzed years. It decreased from $42,624 million at the end of 2019 to $28,647 million by the end of 2023. This reduction suggests either divestment, asset optimization, or decreased capital employed in operations over time.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio followed a trajectory that mirrors the economic profit pattern. It started at a negative value of -10.26% in 2019, turned positive reaching 3.68% in 2020, dipped back to negative -2.71% in 2021, and then improved significantly to 10.36% in 2022. The upward momentum continued strongly, achieving 20.94% in 2023. This indicates increasing efficiency in generating returns above the cost of capital across the years.

Economic Profit Margin

Altria Group Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Net revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Coca-Cola Co.
Mondelēz International Inc.
PepsiCo Inc.
Philip Morris International Inc.

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2023 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Net revenues
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Economic Profit
The economic profit exhibited notable volatility over the observed five-year period. Beginning with a substantial loss of 4,372 million USD at the end of 2019, the company achieved a positive turnaround in 2020 with an economic profit of 1,526 million USD. However, this progress was not sustained in 2021, where economic profit again declined to a negative 908 million USD. The trend reversed significantly in the subsequent years, with considerable improvements recorded, reaching 2,984 million USD in 2022 and further increasing to 5,999 million USD by the end of 2023. This pattern indicates a strong recovery and growing value generation in recent years.
Net Revenues
Net revenues demonstrated a relatively stable but slightly declining trend throughout the period. Revenues increased moderately from 25,110 million USD in 2019 to 26,153 million USD in 2020, followed by a marginal decrease to 26,013 million USD in 2021. Subsequently, net revenues decreased more noticeably in 2022 and 2023, falling to 25,096 million USD and then to 24,483 million USD, respectively. Despite these decreases, revenues remained above the 2019 baseline in the initial years before the decline, suggesting challenges impacting sales or pricing in the later period.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin mirrored the fluctuations observed in economic profit, reflecting changes in profitability relative to revenues. Starting at a negative margin of -17.41% in 2019, the company moved into positive territory at 5.83% in 2020, only to dip back into a slight negative margin of -3.49% in 2021. Subsequent years showed strong improvements, with margins rising to 11.89% in 2022 and sharply to 24.50% in 2023. These figures indicate a marked enhancement in efficiency and profitability in the recent two years, highlighting better utilization of resources and value creation relative to revenue.
Summary
Overall, the company experienced significant fluctuations in economic profit and margin over the five-year span, with an initial period of losses giving way to recovery and strong profitability improvements in the final years. While net revenues remained relatively stable with a slight downward trend toward the end of the period, the enhanced economic profit margin suggests more effective cost management or operational improvements that have driven substantial value creation recently. This pattern indicates a company in transition, successfully addressing past challenges to improve financial performance and shareholder value.