Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE:DVN)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since November 8, 2023.

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

Devon Energy Corp., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2022 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The financial performance between 2018 and 2022 is characterized by significant volatility and a transition from sustained value destruction to value creation. After four consecutive years of negative economic profit, a pivot occurred in 2022, where operating returns finally exceeded the cost of capital employed.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
A volatile trajectory is observed in NOPAT, which declined sharply from 1,250 million USD in 2018 to a deficit of 2,522 million USD in 2020. This was followed by a substantial recovery, with NOPAT rising to 3,160 million USD in 2021 and further expanding to 7,447 million USD by the end of 2022.
Invested Capital and Cost of Capital
Invested capital underwent a period of contraction from 2018 to 2020, decreasing from 15,392 million USD to 7,866 million USD, before expanding rapidly to 19,717 million USD by 2022. During this same period, the cost of capital showed a general upward trend, increasing from 24.93% in 2018 to 30.29% in 2022, which heightened the financial hurdle required to achieve positive economic profit.
Economic Profit Analysis
Economic profit remained negative for the majority of the period, reaching a trough of -4,598 million USD in 2020. The consistent negative values between 2018 and 2021 indicate that the company failed to generate returns sufficient to cover its cost of capital. However, a reversal was achieved in 2022, with economic profit shifting to a positive 1,474 million USD, signaling a return to economic value addition.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Devon Energy Corp., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Devon
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in restructuring liabilities3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest based on debt outstanding
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest based on debt outstanding
Tax benefit of interest based on debt outstanding6
Adjusted interest based on debt outstanding, 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 income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

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 liabilities.

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

5 2022 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2022 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest based on debt outstanding = Adjusted interest based on debt outstanding × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net earnings (loss) attributable to Devon.

8 2022 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 demonstrates significant volatility in net earnings attributable to Devon. Starting with a robust net earnings figure of $3,064 million at the end of 2018, the company experienced a notable decline into negative territory in 2019 and 2020, with losses reaching $355 million and $2,680 million, respectively. This indicates a period of financial distress or unfavorable operational conditions during these years. However, there is a strong recovery commencing in 2021, with net earnings rebounding to $2,813 million, and further strengthening in 2022 to $6,015 million, which surpasses the pre-decline level.

Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) follows a similar pattern, confirming trends in operational efficiency and profitability. In 2018, NOPAT was $1,250 million, followed by a sharp decline in 2019 to $57 million, and a substantial loss of $2,522 million in 2020. The turnaround is evident in 2021, with NOPAT increasing to $3,160 million and continuing growth in 2022 to $7,447 million, indicating improved operational management and a return to profitability with even greater margins than initially observed.

Trend Summary
The period from 2018 to 2020 is characterized by a significant downturn in both net earnings and NOPAT, reflecting operational or market challenges.
The years 2021 and 2022 mark a strong recovery, culminating in the highest profitability levels within the dataset.
The recovery phase shows not only a restoration to prior earnings levels but also an enhancement, suggesting enhanced operational performance and/or favorable market conditions.

Cash Operating Taxes

Devon Energy Corp., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Income tax expense (benefit)
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest based on debt outstanding
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).


The analysis of the data over the period from 2018 to 2022 reveals notable volatility in both income tax expense (benefit) and cash operating taxes.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
There is a significant fluctuation observed across the years. Starting at an expense of $156 million in 2018, the figure turned to a tax benefit of $30 million in 2019, and this benefit further increased substantially to $547 million in 2020. However, in 2021, the amount reverted to a tax expense of $65 million, followed by a sharp rise to $1738 million in 2022. The pattern indicates a high degree of variability with a strong upward spike in the latest year, suggesting considerable changes in taxable income, tax planning, or adjustments in tax legislation or assessments.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes also exhibit considerable variability. Beginning with a negative value of $4 million in 2018, which can indicate a tax refund or credit, the amount increased to $43 million in 2019. Then, a substantial negative amount of $167 million is reported in 2020, again implying a possible tax benefit or refund. The figure shifted to a positive $97 million in 2021 and rose sharply to $629 million in 2022. This variability and the marked increase in 2022 align with the trend in income tax expense, pointing towards a considerable increase in tax payments in the latest year after periods of tax benefits in prior years.

Overall, both measures demonstrate considerable instability, with the most notable changes occurring in 2020, when large tax benefits were recorded, and in 2022, when there was a substantial increase in tax expenses and cash taxes paid. These fluctuations may reflect changing profitability, tax strategies, or external factors affecting taxation.


Invested Capital

Devon Energy Corp., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Short-term debt
Current finance lease liabilities
Long-term debt
Long-term finance lease liabilities
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity attributable to Devon
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
Restructuring liabilities4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted stockholders’ equity attributable to Devon
Invested capital

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

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 liabilities.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity attributable to Devon.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.


Total Reported Debt & Leases
The total reported debt and leases decreased significantly from 6,285 million USD at the end of 2018 to 4,555 million USD in 2019, remaining relatively stable into 2020 at 4,553 million USD. However, in 2021, this figure rose markedly to 6,760 million USD and then showed a slight decrease to 6,718 million USD in 2022. This indicates a period of debt reduction followed by an increase, suggesting a possible strategic increase in leverage or financing activities starting in 2021.
Stockholders’ Equity Attributable to Devon
Stockholders’ equity attributable to the company exhibited a downward trend from 9,186 million USD at the end of 2018 to a low of 2,885 million USD in 2020. This was followed by a strong recovery in the subsequent years, with equity rising to 9,262 million USD in 2021 and further increasing to 11,167 million USD by the end of 2022. This pattern reflects significant fluctuations in the company’s net worth over the period, with a notable rebound post-2020.
Invested Capital
Invested capital decreased from 15,392 million USD at the end of 2018 down to 7,866 million USD in 2020, mirroring the declines seen in debt and equity during this period. From 2021 onwards, invested capital experienced substantial growth, rising sharply to 16,727 million USD and then continuing upward to 19,717 million USD in 2022. This trend suggests an expansion in the company’s asset base and funding sources during the last two years examined.

Cost of Capital

Devon Energy Corp., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease liabilities3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Devon Energy Corp., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Chevron Corp.
ConocoPhillips
Exxon Mobil Corp.

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2022 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance from 2018 to 2022 demonstrates a transition from sustained economic value destruction to positive value creation. After four consecutive years of negative economic profit, a reversal occurred in 2022, indicating that returns finally exceeded the cost of capital.

Economic Profit Trends
Economic profit remained negative between 2018 and 2021, with a significant deterioration observed in 2020, where losses peaked at 4,598 million USD. A recovery phase began in 2021, culminating in a positive economic profit of 1,474 million USD by the end of 2022. This shift indicates a pivot from eroding shareholder value to generating economic surplus.
Invested Capital Dynamics
Invested capital exhibited a V-shaped trajectory over the five-year period. A steady contraction occurred from 2018 through 2020, with capital decreasing from 15,392 million USD to a low of 7,866 million USD. This was followed by a period of aggressive expansion in 2021 and 2022, with invested capital rising to 19,717 million USD, the highest level recorded in the series.
Economic Spread Ratio Analysis
The economic spread ratio mirrored the volatility of economic profit, reaching a critical low of -58.46% in 2020. The subsequent recovery in 2021 to -10.39% and the eventual move to a positive 7.48% in 2022 confirm that the return on invested capital has surpassed the cost of capital. The transition to a positive spread ratio marks the point at which the company began creating value above its minimum required return.

Economic Profit Margin

Devon Energy Corp., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Chevron Corp.
ConocoPhillips
Exxon Mobil Corp.

Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2022 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Revenues
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


A volatile trajectory is observed in the financial performance from 2018 to 2022, characterized by a severe contraction in value creation followed by a significant recovery and a transition to positive economic value added.

Revenue Trends
Revenues experienced a sharp decline between 2018 and 2020, falling from 10,734 million US$ to a low of 4,828 million US$. This downward trend reversed abruptly in 2021, with revenues climbing to 12,206 million US$, and accelerating further to 19,169 million US$ by the end of 2022.
Economic Profit Performance
Economic profit remained negative for four consecutive years, indicating that the returns generated were insufficient to cover the cost of capital. The most significant deficit occurred in 2020, reaching -4,598 million US$. A recovery phase began in 2021, with the deficit narrowing to -1,738 million US$, before shifting to a positive value of 1,474 million US$ in 2022.
Economic Profit Margin Analysis
The economic profit margin exhibited extreme fluctuations, mirroring the volatility of revenues and economic profit. After declining from -24.11% in 2018 to a critical low of -95.25% in 2020, the margin improved substantially to -14.24% in 2021. By 2022, the margin reached 7.69%, marking a fundamental shift from value destruction to value creation.

The data indicates a strong correlation between revenue growth and the restoration of economic profitability. The transition from a deeply negative margin in 2020 to a positive margin in 2022 suggests a successful alignment of operating returns with the cost of capital during the final two years of the period analyzed.