Economic Value Added (EVA)
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.
Paying user area
Try for free
General Motors Co. pages available for free this week:
- Balance Sheet: Assets
- Common-Size Income Statement
- Common-Size Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- DuPont Analysis: Disaggregation of ROE, ROA, and Net Profit Margin
- Analysis of Geographic Areas
- Dividend Discount Model (DDM)
- Present Value of Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE)
- Net Profit Margin since 2010
- Operating Profit Margin since 2010
- Aggregate Accruals
The data is hidden behind: . Unhide it.
Get full access to the entire website from $10.42/mo, or
get 1-month access to General Motors Co. for $24.99.
This is a one-time payment. There is no automatic renewal.
We accept:
Economic Profit
General Motors Co., economic profit calculation
US$ in millions
| 12 months ended: | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | ||||||
| Cost of capital2 | ||||||
| Invested capital3 | ||||||
| Economic profit4 | ||||||
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
1 NOPAT. See details »
2 Cost of capital. See details »
3 Invested capital. See details »
4 2024 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= – × =
The financial data reveals notable shifts in key financial metrics over the observed five-year period. The net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) experiences substantial fluctuations, reaching a peak in the year ending December 31, 2021, followed by a decline in subsequent years. Specifically, NOPAT rises from 7,866 million US dollars in 2020 to 13,885 million in 2021, then decreases to 10,217 million in 2022, with a slight recovery to 11,524 million in 2023 before declining again to 10,525 million in 2024.
The cost of capital shows a gradual downward trend from 8.92% in 2020 to a low of 7.75% in 2023, with a minor uptick to 7.97% in 2024. This downward movement potentially signals improved efficiency or lower risk perceptions over most of the period, although the slight increase at the end suggests some changes in market conditions or company risk profile.
Invested capital exhibits continuous growth throughout the timeframe, advancing from 152,793 million US dollars in 2020 to 194,168 million in 2024. This consistent increase indicates ongoing capital deployment or asset base expansion, which may reflect growth initiatives or reinvestment strategies.
Economic profit remains negative across all years, demonstrating that the company consistently generates returns below the cost of capital. Although the negative economic profit narrows considerably in 2021 to -908 million from -5,762 million in 2020, it worsens again in 2022 to -3,917 million. A marginal improvement occurs in 2023 with a value of -2,604 million, only to deteriorate further to -4,948 million in 2024. This pattern demonstrates challenges in achieving value creation despite growth in invested capital and fluctuating NOPAT levels.
- Summary of Trends
- - NOPAT peaks in 2021, followed by a general declining trend.
- - The cost of capital declines overall, indicating improving capital efficiency except for a slight rise in the final year.
- - Invested capital consistently increases, suggesting ongoing investment or asset growth.
- - Economic profit remains negative, reflecting underperformance relative to the cost of capital, with fluctuations but no sustained improvement.
Overall, the data suggests that while there has been significant growth in capital investment and some improvements in operating profit during certain years, the company has struggled to generate economic profit, implying that the returns have not sufficiently exceeded capital costs to create shareholder value consistently over the period analyzed.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
General Motors Co., NOPAT calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »
2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenue.
4 Addition of increase (decrease) in product warranty and related liabilities.
5 Addition of increase (decrease) in reserves related to restructuring and other initiatives.
6 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income attributable to stockholders.
7 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
8 2024 Calculation
Tax benefit of automotive interest expense = Adjusted automotive interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
9 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income attributable to stockholders.
10 2024 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =
11 Elimination of after taxes investment income.
The financial performance over the periods shows varying trends in profitability metrics. Net income attributable to stockholders demonstrated a notable increase from 2020 to 2021, rising from 6,427 million US dollars to 10,019 million US dollars. This peak was followed by a slight decline in 2022 to 9,934 million US dollars, then a minor recovery in 2023 to 10,127 million US dollars. However, in 2024, net income decreased significantly to 6,008 million US dollars, indicating a potentially adverse development or external factors affecting profitability in the most recent period.
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) showed an overall upward trend from 2020 to 2021, increasing from 7,866 million US dollars to 13,885 million US dollars, which represents a substantial improvement. NOPAT then declined to 10,217 million US dollars in 2022, suggesting some operational challenges or increased expenses. Following this, there was a recovery to 11,524 million US dollars in 2023, although it did not return to the peak level observed in 2021. In 2024, NOPAT decreased again to 10,525 million US dollars, showing some volatility but maintaining a higher level than the initial 2020 figure.
- Profitability Trends:
- Both net income and NOPAT peaked in 2021, followed by fluctuations in subsequent years, with net income showing a more pronounced decline by 2024.
- Operational Efficiency:
- NOPAT figures suggest the company improved operating profitability significantly in 2021, experienced some operational setbacks in 2022, partial recovery in 2023, and slight decline in 2024.
- Recent Performance:
- The substantial drop in net income in 2024 compared to prior years warrants attention, as it may signal deteriorating profitability or increased costs not fully reflected in operating profit.
Cash Operating Taxes
General Motors Co., cash operating taxes calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
- Income Tax Expense
- The income tax expense shows a fluctuating trend over the observed period. It increased significantly from 1,774 million USD in 2020 to 2,771 million USD in 2021. This was followed by a decrease to 1,889 million USD in 2022, then a sharp decline to 563 million USD in 2023. However, in 2024, the expense rose again to 2,556 million USD. This pattern indicates considerable variability in tax liabilities, potentially influenced by changes in taxable income, tax policies, or one-time tax adjustments.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes displayed some volatility but less pronounced than income tax expense. Starting at 1,039 million USD in 2020, the amount decreased to 735 million USD in 2021. It then surged to 1,585 million USD in 2022 and remained at a similar level of 1,573 million USD in 2023. In 2024, cash operating taxes declined to 1,174 million USD. The general trend suggests variable cash outflows for taxes, with a peak in 2022 and 2023, possibly reflecting changes in operating earnings, deferred tax adjustments, or cash tax payment timing.
- Comparative Insights
- Throughout the timeline, income tax expense and cash operating taxes do not consistently move in tandem, indicating differences between accounting tax expense recognition and actual cash paid taxes. Notably, the income tax expense experienced more pronounced fluctuations, especially the sharp drop in 2023, which was not as evident in cash operating taxes. This disparity might imply significant deferred tax impacts or adjustments in non-cash tax provisions during these years.
Invested Capital
General Motors Co., invested capital calculation (financing approach)
US$ in millions
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
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 deferred revenue.
5 Addition of product warranty and related liabilities.
6 Addition of reserves related to restructuring and other initiatives.
7 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.
8 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
9 Subtraction of construction in progress.
10 Subtraction of available-for-sale debt securities, marketable securities.
The financial data reveals several notable trends in the company's capital structure and financing over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024.
- Total Reported Debt & Leases
- This metric shows a steady increase each year, rising from $111,072 million in 2020 to $130,947 million in 2024. The upward trajectory suggests a growing reliance on debt and lease obligations for financing or expansion purposes. The increment from 2023 to 2024 is approximately $8 billion, marking a consistent pattern of debt accumulation.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Equity levels increased significantly from 2020 to 2022, growing from $45,030 million to a peak of $67,792 million. However, after this peak, equity declined over the next two years, reaching $63,072 million by 2024. This decline may indicate factors such as dividend payouts, share repurchases, or changes in retained earnings impacting the overall equity base.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital rose steadily year over year, increasing from $152,793 million in 2020 to $194,168 million in 2024. This continuous increase mirrors the company's expanding asset base or operational investments. The growth in invested capital, despite the fluctuations in equity, suggests that the company is leveraging both debt and equity to finance its growth initiatives.
Overall, the data exhibits a pattern of increasing financial leverage accompanied by growth in invested capital. The rise in total reported debt alongside a fluctuating but generally strong equity position indicates a balanced approach toward financing growth, though the recent decrease in equity may warrant further examination to understand its drivers and implications on financial stability.
Cost of Capital
General Motors Co., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Debt3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
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: 2023-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
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: 2022-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
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: 2021-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
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 millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Debt. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
General Motors Co., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Invested capital2 | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | ||||||
| Ford Motor Co. | ||||||
| Tesla Inc. | ||||||
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 Invested capital. See details »
3 2024 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =
4 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit exhibited considerable volatility over the observed five-year period. Starting with a substantial negative figure in 2020, there was a notable improvement in 2021, with losses significantly reduced. However, the subsequent years showed a resurgence of negative economic profit, with a peak downturn in 2022, a partial recovery in 2023, and a decline again by 2024. The trend suggests ongoing challenges in generating economic value beyond the cost of capital.
- Invested Capital
- There was a consistent and steady increase in invested capital each year, growing from approximately 152.8 billion US dollars in 2020 to 194.2 billion US dollars by 2024. This upward trend indicates continuous investment in the company's asset base or operations over the period under review.
- Economic Spread Ratio
- The economic spread ratio remained negative throughout the five years, indicating that the company’s returns on invested capital were below its cost of capital. While the negative spread narrowed significantly in 2021, indicating improved efficiency or profitability relative to capital costs, it deteriorated again in the following years. This metric underscores ongoing difficulties in achieving economic profitability despite growing invested capital.
Economic Profit Margin
General Motors Co., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Automotive net sales and revenue | ||||||
| Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue | ||||||
| Adjusted automotive net sales and revenue | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| Ford Motor Co. | ||||||
| Tesla Inc. | ||||||
Based on: 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2024 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted automotive net sales and revenue
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit displays significant variability over the five-year period. It started with a substantial negative figure in 2020 at -5,762 million US dollars and improved markedly in 2021 to -908 million. However, this improvement was short-lived as the figure deteriorated again in 2022 to -3,917 million and then improved partially in 2023 to -2,604 million. In 2024, economic profit declined once more to -4,948 million, indicating persistent challenges in generating positive economic profit despite fluctuations.
- Adjusted Automotive Net Sales and Revenue
- Adjusted automotive net sales and revenue exhibit a consistent upward trend throughout the period. Starting at 108,324 million US dollars in 2020, revenues increased steadily each year, reaching 113,214 million in 2021, 144,545 million in 2022, 159,438 million in 2023, and culminating at 173,096 million in 2024. This reflects a strong growth trajectory in sales and revenue over the five years.
- Economic Profit Margin
- The economic profit margin follows a similar pattern to economic profit, remaining negative across all years but showing fluctuations in the degree of negative margin. The margin improved from -5.32% in 2020 to -0.8% in 2021, representing a reduction in loss relative to sales. However, it worsened to -2.71% in 2022, improved to -1.63% in 2023, and declined again to -2.86% in 2024. This indicates inconsistent progress in profitability relative to sales revenue.