Corning Inc. (NYSE:GLW)

Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated

The net income shows a fluctuating trend over the five-year period. It decreased notably from 960 million US dollars in 2019 to 512 million in 2020, indicating a significant reduction in profitability during that year. The following year, 2021, saw a strong recovery with net income rising sharply to 1,906 million US dollars, the highest value in the analyzed time frame. However, in 2022, net income declined again to 1,316 million US dollars, and this downward trend continued into 2023, reaching 581 million US dollars, which is the second lowest value in the data. Overall, there is considerable volatility, with a peak in 2021 and declines before and after that year.

Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

The NOPAT figures exhibit a different pattern compared to net income. Starting at 968 million US dollars in 2019, there is a marked increase to 1,761 million in 2020, indicating improved operating efficiency or reduced tax expenses during that year. The upward movement continues into 2021, reaching 2,088 million US dollars, the highest point in the sequence, which aligns with the peak net income year. However, this positive trajectory reverses from 2021 onward, with NOPAT decreasing to 1,544 million in 2022 and further down to 817 million in 2023. While the decline is notable, NOPAT remains substantially higher in 2023 compared to 2019, reflecting an overall improvement in operating profitability despite recent reductions.

Comparative insights

Comparing net income and NOPAT reveals potential discrepancies, possibly due to non-operating factors or tax-related items affecting net income more significantly. In 2020, net income fell sharply, whereas NOPAT increased substantially, suggesting that operational performance improved despite a lower bottom-line profit. The peak in both metrics in 2021 signals a strong year for both operating and net profitability. Subsequent declines in 2022 and 2023 indicate challenges impacting both operating profits and net income, though NOPAT's decline is less severe than that of net income, suggesting that non-operating expenses or taxes could have adversely affected net income in the later years.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes exhibited a fluctuating trend over the analyzed period. It decreased significantly from 256 million US dollars in 2019 to 111 million US dollars in 2020. Subsequently, there was a substantial increase reaching 491 million US dollars in 2021. After this peak, the provision decreased to 411 million US dollars in 2022 and further declined to 168 million US dollars in 2023. Overall, the provision showed volatility with considerable variations year over year, indicating changes in taxable income or adjustments in tax liabilities.

Cash Operating Taxes

Cash operating taxes followed a somewhat parallel but less volatile pattern compared to the provision for income taxes. Starting at 494 million US dollars in 2019, the amount dropped to its lowest value of 192 million in 2020. It then rose sharply to 542 million in 2021, slightly decreased to 523 million in 2022, and further declined to 313 million in 2023. This trend suggests some level of recovery in tax payments after the initial decline but a decreasing trend in the latter two years, which may reflect variations in operational profitability or cash flow management related to tax obligations.

The financial data reveals distinct trends in debt, equity, and invested capital over the five-year period.

Total reported debt & leases

The total debt and leases increased from approximately $8.25 billion in 2019 to $8.70 billion in 2020, indicating a rise in financial obligations during that year. Subsequently, it decreased to $7.83 billion in 2021 and remained relatively stable in 2022 at $7.82 billion. In 2023, the figure rose again to about $8.48 billion. This pattern suggests some fluctuations in leverage, with a general tendency to manage debt levels downward after 2020, followed by a renewed increase in 2023.

Total shareholders’ equity

Shareholders’ equity demonstrated a declining trend over the period. Starting at approximately $12.9 billion in 2019, equity rose slightly to $13.3 billion in 2020 but decreased thereafter, reaching $12.3 billion in 2021, $12.0 billion in 2022, and further declining to $11.6 billion in 2023. This consistent decrease from 2020 onwards indicates potential challenges in generating retained earnings or possible distributions impacting equity.

Invested capital

Invested capital showed an overall upward trend despite some year-to-year fluctuations. It increased from roughly $18.9 billion in 2019 to a peak of $21.2 billion in 2020. After declining to around $19.7 billion in 2021 and remaining stable in 2022, it increased again to $20.4 billion in 2023. This suggests continued investment activity with some variability, reflecting both changes in debt and equity components.

In summary, the company experienced fluctuating leverage with debt levels rising and falling over the five years. Equity showed a downward trend after 2020, which may warrant further analysis regarding profitability or capital management. Invested capital reflected active capital deployment with an overall growth trend despite intermediate declines. The interactions among these metrics suggest ongoing adjustments in the company's capital structure over the period.