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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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Danaher Corp. pages available for free this week:
- Statement of Comprehensive Income
- Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Common-Size Income Statement
- Analysis of Long-term (Investment) Activity Ratios
- Enterprise Value to FCFF (EV/FCFF)
- Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
- Return on Equity (ROE) since 2005
- Current Ratio since 2005
- Debt to Equity since 2005
- Total Asset Turnover since 2005
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Economic Profit
| 12 months ended: | Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | ||||||
| Cost of capital2 | ||||||
| Invested capital3 | ||||||
| Economic profit4 | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 NOPAT. See details »
2 Cost of capital. See details »
3 Invested capital. See details »
4 2025 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= – × =
An analysis of the economic performance from 2021 to 2025 reveals a sustained period of negative economic profit, indicating that the company's net operating profit after taxes has been insufficient to cover its cost of capital. The most pronounced deterioration occurred in 2023, and while a modest recovery in operating profit has followed, the economic deficit remains substantial.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- A significant contraction is observed between 2022 and 2023, where NOPAT fell from 6,866 million USD to 3,099 million USD. Although a gradual upward trajectory is noted in 2024 and 2025, the values remain approximately 50% lower than the levels recorded in 2021 and 2022.
- Cost of Capital and Invested Capital
- The cost of capital remained relatively stable over the five-year period, fluctuating within a narrow range between 14.86% and 15.64%. Invested capital reached a peak in 2023 at 78,561 million USD before experiencing a decline to 73,131 million USD in 2024 and a slight subsequent increase to 75,443 million USD by 2025.
- Economic Profit Trends
- Economic profit was consistently negative throughout the analysis period. The deficit expanded from -4,366 million USD in 2021 to a peak loss of -9,186 million USD in 2023, coinciding with the sharp decline in NOPAT. Despite a marginal improvement in 2024, the economic profit remained deeply negative at -8,117 million USD by 2025, confirming that the return on invested capital has failed to meet the required cost of capital.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »
2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in contract liabilities.
4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net earnings.
5 2025 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
6 2025 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 2025 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.
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited a fluctuating pattern over the five-year period. While initially stable, NOPAT experienced a significant decline in later years. A comparison with net earnings reveals some divergence in performance.
- NOPAT Trend
- In 2021, NOPAT stood at US$6,722 million. It increased modestly to US$6,866 million in 2022, representing a growth of approximately 2.1%. However, 2023 witnessed a substantial decrease, with NOPAT falling to US$3,099 million. This represents a decline of roughly 55.3% from the prior year. A partial recovery was observed in 2024, with NOPAT reaching US$3,391 million, and continued modestly into 2025 at US$3,442 million. The 2024 and 2025 figures, while improved from 2023, remain considerably below the levels recorded in 2021 and 2022.
- Relationship to Net Earnings
- Net earnings followed a different trajectory. While NOPAT peaked in 2022, net earnings peaked earlier in 2021. Net earnings decreased more consistently than NOPAT, falling from US$6,433 million in 2021 to US$3,614 million in 2025. In 2021, NOPAT exceeded net earnings by US$289 million. By 2023, net earnings surpassed NOPAT by US$1,665 million, and this difference persisted in 2024 and 2025. This suggests a growing divergence between operational profitability and overall reported earnings.
The substantial decline in NOPAT in 2023 warrants further investigation to determine the underlying causes. Potential factors could include increased operating expenses, changes in tax rates, or shifts in the company’s operational strategy. The subsequent stabilization of NOPAT in 2024 and 2025, while positive, does not fully restore it to previous levels, indicating ongoing challenges or adjustments within the business.
Cash Operating Taxes
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
The income tax provision and cash operating taxes exhibited distinct trends between 2021 and 2025. The income tax provision consistently decreased over the five-year period, while cash operating taxes demonstrated a more volatile pattern.
- Income Tax Provision
- The income tax provision decreased from US$1,251 million in 2021 to US$633 million in 2025. This represents a cumulative decline of approximately 49.4%. The decrease was relatively steady year-over-year, suggesting a consistent reduction in reported tax liabilities.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes increased from US$1,534 million in 2021 to US$2,032 million in 2023, representing a growth of approximately 32.5%. However, a significant decrease was observed in 2024, falling to US$1,274 million, followed by a further reduction to US$1,134 million in 2025. This indicates a substantial fluctuation in actual cash outflows for taxes, diverging from the trend in the income tax provision.
The divergence between the income tax provision and cash operating taxes suggests potential timing differences related to deferred tax assets or liabilities, tax credits utilized, or changes in tax laws impacting cash payments. The increase in cash operating taxes through 2023, followed by a sharp decline, warrants further investigation to understand the underlying drivers. The decreasing income tax provision may reflect changes in profitability, tax planning strategies, or adjustments to tax rates.
- Relationship between Items
- In 2021, cash operating taxes exceeded the income tax provision by US$283 million. This difference widened in 2022 to US$601 million and further increased to US$1,209 million in 2023. However, the gap narrowed considerably in 2024 to US$527 million and continued to decrease to US$501 million in 2025. This evolving difference highlights the increasing, then decreasing, impact of non-cash tax items on the overall tax expense.
Continued monitoring of both the income tax provision and cash operating taxes is recommended to assess the sustainability of these trends and their implications for future cash flows and economic value added calculations.
Invested Capital
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
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 contract liabilities.
5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Danaher stockholders’ equity.
6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
7 Subtraction of investments.
The invested capital of the company exhibited an initial increase followed by a subsequent decline and stabilization over the five-year period. Total reported debt & leases and total stockholders’ equity both contribute to the overall invested capital figure, though their individual trends differ.
- Invested Capital Trend
- Invested capital increased from US$74,633 million in 2021 to US$78,342 million in 2022, representing a growth of approximately 4.9%. A further, albeit marginal, increase was observed in 2023, reaching US$78,561 million. However, 2024 saw a decrease to US$73,131 million, a decline of roughly 7.1%. Invested capital then showed a modest recovery in 2025, rising to US$75,443 million.
- Debt & Leases
- Total reported debt & leases demonstrated a consistent downward trend from 2021 to 2024. Beginning at US$23,272 million, it decreased to US$17,146 million by the end of 2024. An increase was noted in 2025, with debt & leases reaching US$19,696 million, potentially indicating renewed borrowing or a change in financing strategy.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Total Danaher stockholders’ equity generally increased throughout the period. From US$45,167 million in 2021, it rose to US$53,486 million in 2023. A decrease was observed in 2024, falling to US$49,543 million, before recovering somewhat to US$52,534 million in 2025. This suggests fluctuations in retained earnings and/or share issuance/repurchase activity.
The decrease in invested capital in 2024 appears to be driven primarily by the reduction in total reported debt & leases, partially offset by the decrease in stockholders’ equity. The 2025 figures suggest a partial reversal of this trend, with both debt & leases and stockholders’ equity contributing to a slight increase in invested capital.
- Relationship between Components and Invested Capital
- The fluctuations in invested capital closely mirror the combined movements of debt & leases and stockholders’ equity. While stockholders’ equity generally trended upward, the more significant declines in debt & leases in 2024 had a pronounced effect on the overall invested capital figure. The 2025 increase in both components suggests a stabilization of the capital structure.
Cost of Capital
Danaher Corp., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Notes payable and long-term debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Notes payable and long-term 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 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Notes payable and long-term 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 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Notes payable and long-term 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 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| 5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Notes payable and long-term 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 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
| Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Invested capital2 | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | ||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 Invested capital. See details »
3 2025 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =
4 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial performance over the analyzed period indicates a consistent trend of economic value destruction, characterized by persistent negative economic profit and a negative economic spread ratio.
- Economic Profit Trends
- A significant deterioration in economic profit is observed between 2021 and 2023, with the deficit expanding from -4,366 million US$ to -9,186 million US$. Although a partial recovery occurred in 2024, reducing the deficit to -7,988 million US$, the figure shifted back to -8,117 million US$ by 2025. This trajectory demonstrates that the returns generated on invested capital have remained consistently below the cost of that capital.
- Invested Capital Stability
- Invested capital exhibited relative stability, fluctuating within a range of 73,131 million US$ to 78,561 million US$. The peak in invested capital coincided with the widest economic profit deficit in 2023. The slight reduction in capital in 2024 followed by a moderate increase in 2025 suggests that the negative economic outcomes are not a result of uncontrolled capital expansion, but rather a systemic inability to derive sufficient returns from the existing capital base.
- Economic Spread Ratio Analysis
- The economic spread ratio remained negative throughout the entire period, confirming that the cost of capital consistently exceeded the return on investment. The spread widened considerably from -5.85% in 2021 to -11.69% in 2023. While a modest stabilization is evident in 2024 (-10.92%) and 2025 (-10.76%), the ratio continues to signal a substantial gap in value creation, with the spread remaining approximately 5 percentage points lower than the 2021 level.
Economic Profit Margin
| Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Sales | ||||||
| Add: Increase (decrease) in contract liabilities | ||||||
| Adjusted sales | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted sales
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial performance from 2021 to 2025 is characterized by a consistent failure to generate positive economic value, with economic profit remaining negative throughout the entire period. A significant deterioration in value creation occurred between 2022 and 2023, coinciding with a substantial contraction in the adjusted sales base.
- Economic Profit Trajectory
- Economic profit exhibited a downward trend in the first three years, moving from a deficit of US$ 4,366 million in 2021 to a peak loss of US$ 9,186 million in 2023. Although a slight recovery was noted in 2024, the deficit persisted, closing at US$ 8,117 million in 2025, indicating that the cost of capital continues to exceed the net operating profit after tax.
- Adjusted Sales Volatility
- Adjusted sales increased slightly from US$ 29,862 million in 2021 to US$ 31,528 million in 2022, followed by a sharp decline to US$ 23,927 million in 2023. The sales volume remained relatively flat in 2024 before showing a modest increase to US$ 24,621 million by the end of 2025, suggesting a significant restructuring or market contraction occurring after 2022.
- Economic Profit Margin Deterioration
- The economic profit margin showed severe erosion, dropping from -14.62% in 2021 to -38.39% in 2023. While the margin improved marginally in 2024 (-33.72%) and 2025 (-32.97%), it remained substantially lower than the 2021 levels. This indicates that the decrease in sales had a disproportionately negative impact on the company's ability to cover its capital charges.