Economic Value Added (EVA)
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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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Ecolab Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Balance Sheet: Assets
- Analysis of Profitability Ratios
- Analysis of Solvency Ratios
- Price to FCFE (P/FCFE)
- Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
- Present Value of Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE)
- Operating Profit Margin since 2005
- Debt to Equity since 2005
- Price to Earnings (P/E) since 2005
- Analysis of Debt
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Economic Profit
Ecolab Inc., economic profit calculation
US$ in thousands
| 12 months ended: | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | ||||||
| Cost of capital2 | ||||||
| Invested capital3 | ||||||
| Economic profit4 | ||||||
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 NOPAT. See details »
2 Cost of capital. See details »
3 Invested capital. See details »
4 2021 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= – × =
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- The net operating profit after taxes showed a rising trend from 2017 to 2018, increasing from approximately 1.37 billion to 1.77 billion US dollars. However, there was a slight decline in 2019 to about 1.74 billion US dollars, followed by a more significant drop in 2020 to roughly 1.21 billion US dollars. In 2021, NOPAT partially recovered to approximately 1.35 billion US dollars, though it did not reach the peak observed in 2018.
- Cost of Capital
- The cost of capital exhibited a gradual upward trend between 2017 and 2020, moving from 12.63% to 13.43%. In 2021, however, there was a noticeable decrease to 12.87%, indicating a slight easing in capital costs following several years of incremental increases.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital increased steadily from 2017 through 2019, rising from approximately 17.39 billion to 18.09 billion US dollars. In 2020, there was a marked reduction to around 15.60 billion US dollars. This was followed by a significant rebound in 2021, with invested capital reaching its highest value over the period at approximately 18.43 billion US dollars.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit remained negative throughout the period, indicating that the company was not generating returns above its cost of capital. Starting at a loss of about 827 million US dollars in 2017, the negative economic profit improved somewhat in 2018 to around 589 million US dollars but then deteriorated again in 2019 to about 684 million US dollars. The losses deepened further in 2020 and 2021, reaching approximately 888 million and then over 1 billion US dollars, respectively. This suggests increasing challenges in creating economic value despite fluctuations in net operating profit and invested capital.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Ecolab Inc., NOPAT calculation
US$ in thousands
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »
2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for expected credit losses.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve. See details »
4 Addition of increase (decrease) in restructuring liability.
5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss) attributable to Ecolab.
6 2021 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
7 2021 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
8 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income (loss) attributable to Ecolab.
9 2021 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
10 Elimination of after taxes investment income.
11 Elimination of discontinued operations.
- Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ecolab
- The net income attributable to Ecolab exhibited positive values from 2017 through 2019, with a slight decrease in 2018 followed by a recovery in 2019. However, in 2020, there was a significant decline, reflected by a net loss of approximately 1.2 billion US dollars. This downturn was reversed in 2021, where net income returned to a positive figure, measuring around 1.13 billion US dollars, although still below the 2019 peak.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- NOPAT showed an overall increasing trend from 2017 to 2019, starting at about 1.37 billion US dollars and peaking at roughly 1.74 billion US dollars in 2019. In 2020, similar to net income, NOPAT experienced a decline but remained positive at about 1.21 billion US dollars. In 2021, there was a moderate recovery, with NOPAT increasing to approximately 1.35 billion US dollars; however, this figure did not reach the 2019 peak level.
- Summary of Trends and Insights
- The data indicates that the company experienced a strong performance in the initial years up to 2019, with increasing profitability as evidenced by both net income and NOPAT. The year 2020 represents a notable inflection point with a severe reduction in profitability, culminating in a net loss. This suggests that external or internal factors during 2020 heavily impacted earnings. Both metrics improved in 2021, reflecting a recovery phase, but the full return to the profitability levels of 2019 has not yet been realized by the end of that year. The persistence of positive NOPAT through the downturn indicates ongoing operational profitability despite overall net losses in 2020.
Cash Operating Taxes
Ecolab Inc., cash operating taxes calculation
US$ in thousands
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
The financial data reveals notable fluctuations in the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes over the five-year period.
- Provision for income taxes
- This item experienced an overall increase from 242,400 thousand US dollars in 2017 to a peak of 364,300 thousand US dollars in 2018. Subsequently, it decreased to 322,700 thousand US dollars in 2019 and sharply declined further to 176,600 thousand US dollars in 2020. However, it rebounded to 270,200 thousand US dollars in 2021. This pattern indicates volatility with a significant dip in 2020, possibly linked to changes in taxable income or tax regulations, followed by a partial recovery in the final year.
- Cash operating taxes
- Cash operating taxes presented a different trend characterized by a marked decrease from 692,614 thousand US dollars in 2017 to 329,842 thousand US dollars in 2018. After this drop, values rose to 405,411 thousand US dollars in 2019, followed by another decline to 280,171 thousand US dollars in 2020. There was a moderate increase to 319,507 thousand US dollars in 2021. Overall, the data exhibits considerable volatility with no sustained growth or decline, indicating fluctuating cash tax outflows over the years.
In summary, both provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes show significant variability throughout the period, with notable decreases in 2020 likely tied to the extraordinary circumstances of that year. The partial rebounds in 2021 suggest a normalization trend, although both metrics remain below their initial high points observed in earlier years.
Invested Capital
Ecolab Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)
US$ in thousands
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
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 LIFO reserve. See details »
5 Addition of restructuring liability.
6 Addition of equity equivalents to total Ecolab shareholders’ equity.
7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
8 Subtraction of construction in progress.
- Total Reported Debt & Leases
- The total reported debt and leases exhibit a fluctuating pattern over the observed periods. Starting at approximately $7.88 billion in 2017, there is a gradual decline until 2019, reaching about $6.93 billion. This is followed by a slight increase in 2020 to approximately $7.11 billion, and a notable rise in 2021 to roughly $9.16 billion. The large increase in 2021 indicates a significant change in the company's leverage or financing activities.
- Total Shareholders' Equity
- Shareholders’ equity shows a general upward trend from 2017 to 2019, rising from around $7.62 billion to approximately $8.69 billion. However, in 2020, there is a sharp decrease to about $6.17 billion, followed by a partial recovery in 2021 to approximately $7.22 billion. The drop in 2020 could reflect significant losses, dividend payments, share repurchases, or other equity-reducing activities during that year.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital demonstrates an increase from 2017 to 2019, moving from around $17.39 billion to $18.09 billion. In 2020, there is a decline to approximately $15.60 billion, consistent with the reduction in shareholders' equity and the minor increase in debt. By 2021, invested capital rises again to about $18.43 billion, reaching its highest level in the observed timeframe. This trend suggests active adjustments in the capital structure and investment base through the period.
Cost of Capital
Ecolab Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
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 thousands
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: 2019-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
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: 2018-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
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 – 35.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 35.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
2 Equity. See details »
3 Debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
Ecolab Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Invested capital2 | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | ||||||
| Linde plc | ||||||
| Sherwin-Williams Co. | ||||||
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 Invested capital. See details »
3 2021 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =
4 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit shows a persistent negative trend throughout the observed years, indicating consistent losses. The absolute value decreased from -826,941 thousand US dollars in 2017 to -588,952 thousand US dollars in 2018, demonstrating a reduction in economic loss. However, this improvement was not sustained, as economic profit worsened again, reaching -684,145 thousand in 2019, and further declining to -888,257 thousand in 2020. The largest loss occurred in 2021 at -1,023,041 thousand US dollars, signaling a significant increase in economic deficit in the latest period.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital displayed a generally increasing trend over the years except for a notable decline in 2020. Starting at 17,388,578 thousand US dollars in 2017, invested capital grew to 17,830,002 thousand in 2018 and further to 18,090,500 thousand in 2019. In 2020, this value decreased sharply to 15,595,900 thousand, representing a substantial reduction. However, by 2021, invested capital rebounded to its highest point at 18,430,300 thousand US dollars, surpassing all previous years.
- Economic Spread Ratio
- The economic spread ratio consistently remained negative throughout the period, indicating that the returns on invested capital did not cover the cost of capital. Initially, the ratio improved from -4.76% in 2017 to -3.3% in 2018. Nevertheless, this positive movement reversed in 2019 when the ratio deteriorated to -3.78%. The downward trajectory continued sharply in 2020 to -5.7%, and in 2021 it remained at an unfavorable level of -5.55%, suggesting increasing inefficiency in generating returns over the cost of capital in recent years.
Economic Profit Margin
Ecolab Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Net sales | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| Linde plc | ||||||
| Sherwin-Williams Co. | ||||||
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2021 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Net sales
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit shows a consistently negative value from 2017 to 2021, indicating that the company incurred economic losses throughout this period. The losses fluctuated but generally increased in magnitude, reaching the highest negative value in 2021 at -1,023,041 thousand US dollars. The trend reveals a deterioration in the company’s ability to generate profit beyond its cost of capital.
- Net Sales
- Net sales increased from 13,838,300 thousand US dollars in 2017 to a peak of 14,906,300 thousand US dollars in 2019. However, there was a notable decline in 2020, with net sales dropping to 11,790,200 thousand US dollars, likely impacted by external factors affecting demand. In 2021, sales partially recovered to 12,733,100 thousand US dollars but did not return to the pre-2020 peak levels.
- Economic Profit Margin
- The economic profit margin remained negative throughout the period, reflecting ongoing economic losses relative to sales. It improved from -5.98% in 2017 to -4.02% in 2018, suggesting better efficiency or cost management. However, the margin worsened subsequently, reaching -8.03% in 2021, paralleling the increase in negative economic profit and indicating declining economic profitability despite fluctuations in net sales.