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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Merck & Co. Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Income Statement
- Cash Flow Statement
- Analysis of Long-term (Investment) Activity Ratios
- DuPont Analysis: Disaggregation of ROE, ROA, and Net Profit Margin
- Analysis of Geographic Areas
- Enterprise Value to FCFF (EV/FCFF)
- Net Profit Margin since 2005
- Return on Equity (ROE) since 2005
- Current Ratio since 2005
- Analysis of Debt
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Economic Profit
Merck & Co. Inc., 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
= – × =
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- The NOPAT shows a significant increase from 6,669 million US$ in 2020 to 13,349 million US$ in 2021, representing a near doubling. This upward trend continues moderately into 2022, reaching 14,154 million US$. However, a sharp decline occurs in 2023, where NOPAT turns negative at -714 million US$, indicating operational challenges or extraordinary losses during that period. By 2024, NOPAT recovers strongly to 16,744 million US$, surpassing previous years’ levels and suggesting a robust rebound.
- Cost of Capital
- The cost of capital exhibits a gradual increase from 7.49% in 2020 to a peak of 8.01% in 2023, reflecting a rising expense in financing or increased risk perceptions. In 2024, the cost of capital slightly declines to 7.8%, which might indicate a marginal improvement in capital costs or risk environment after the peak year.
- Invested Capital
- The invested capital demonstrates growth from 57,182 million US$ in 2020 to 70,735 million US$ in 2021, followed by a moderate increase to 73,942 million US$ in 2022. A dip to 69,966 million US$ is observed in 2023, coinciding with the negative NOPAT, possibly due to asset sales or write-downs. Subsequently, invested capital rises again in 2024 to 79,426 million US$, reaching the highest level over the observed period.
- Economic Profit
- Economic profit trends align somewhat with NOPAT, beginning at 2,385 million US$ in 2020 and sharply increasing to 8,014 million US$ in 2021 and further to 8,248 million US$ in 2022, indicating value creation surpassing the cost of capital. In 2023, economic profit swings to a substantial loss of -6,316 million US$, reflecting significant value destruction likely tied to operational or market difficulties. The economic profit rebounds in 2024 to 10,546 million US$, signaling strong value generation exceeding prior years despite the setbacks in 2023.
- Summary
- Overall, the data reveals a generally positive trajectory in profitability and capital investment from 2020 through 2022, disrupted by a pronounced downturn in 2023 characterized by negative profits and economic losses. The cost of capital rose steadily until 2023, possibly contributing to the negative economic profit that year. The company demonstrates recovery in 2024 with all key financial metrics (NOPAT, invested capital, and economic profit) reaching or surpassing previous peaks, suggesting a resilient performance and effective response to the downturn experienced in 2023.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Merck & Co. Inc., 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 for doubtful accounts.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve. See details »
4 Addition of increase (decrease) in restructuring reserves.
5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc..
6 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
7 2024 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 attributable to Merck & Co., Inc..
9 2024 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 attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
- The net income showed a significant increase from 7,067 million US dollars in 2020 to 13,049 million US dollars in 2021, reflecting strong profitability growth. This upward trend continued into 2022 with net income reaching 14,519 million US dollars. However, there is a notable decrease in 2023, with net income sharply dropping to 365 million US dollars. The data shows a strong recovery in 2024, with net income rebounding to 17,117 million US dollars, the highest figure in the observed period.
- Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)
- The NOPAT followed a similar pattern to net income. It increased substantially from 6,669 million US dollars in 2020 to 13,349 million in 2021 and then experienced a slight rise to 14,154 million in 2022. In 2023, NOPAT turned negative, registering a loss of 714 million US dollars, indicating operational challenges or extraordinary costs during that year. By 2024, NOPAT recovered strongly to 16,744 million US dollars, surpassing all previous years except 2024 net income.
- Overall Trends and Observations
- Both profitability indicators demonstrate strong performance growth in the initial years from 2020 to 2022. The year 2023 stands out as an anomaly with both net income and NOPAT declining sharply, with NOPAT even becoming negative, suggesting operational difficulties or exceptional adverse events during that period. The rapid recovery in 2024 indicates effective measures to restore profitability and operational efficiency.
Cash Operating Taxes
Merck & Co. Inc., 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).
- Taxes on income from continuing operations
- The amount decreased from 1709 million US dollars in 2020 to 1521 million US dollars in 2021, followed by an increase to 1918 million US dollars in 2022. It then dropped to 1512 million US dollars in 2023 before rising significantly to 2803 million US dollars in 2024. This indicates a fluctuating pattern with a notable peak in 2024.
- Cash operating taxes
- There was a sharp decline from 2510 million US dollars in 2020 to 1553 million US dollars in 2021. Subsequently, cash operating taxes increased substantially to 3760 million in 2022, with a slight decrease to 3497 million in 2023, and then rose again to 4246 million US dollars in 2024. Overall, the data reflects considerable volatility with a general upward trend after 2021.
Invested Capital
Merck & Co. Inc., 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 LIFO reserve. See details »
5 Addition of restructuring reserves.
6 Addition of equity equivalents to total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity.
7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
8 Subtraction of construction in progress.
9 Subtraction of investments in debt and publicly traded equity securities.
The analysis of the financial data over the five-year period reveals several notable trends in debt levels, stockholders’ equity, and invested capital.
- Total reported debt & leases
- The total reported debt and leases show a fluctuating pattern. Starting at US$33,453 million in 2020, the amount increased slightly to US$34,631 million in 2021, then decreased to US$31,985 million in 2022. However, it rose again in the subsequent years, reaching US$36,268 million in 2023 and US$38,270 million in 2024. Overall, despite a dip in 2022, debt levels exhibit a general upward trajectory by the end of the period.
- Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
- Stockholders’ equity experienced significant variation across the years. It increased substantially from US$25,317 million in 2020 to US$38,184 million in 2021, and further to US$45,991 million in 2022. A decline was observed in 2023, where equity dropped to US$37,581 million, before rising sharply again to US$46,313 million in 2024. This pattern suggests some volatility, but with an overall growth trend in shareholders' equity.
- Invested capital
- The invested capital consistently grew from US$57,182 million in 2020 to US$70,735 million in 2021, and then to US$73,942 million in 2022. A decrease occurred in 2023, moving down to US$69,966 million, followed by a recovery and substantial increase to US$79,426 million in 2024. The invested capital thus shows growth overall, tempered by a temporary decline in 2023.
In summary, the financial data indicate a generally growing capital base characterized by increasing equity and invested capital over the five years, despite fluctuations in 2023. Total debt and leases also follow an upward trend overall, with a marked increase particularly in the last two years. The fluctuations in 2023 across all three measures may suggest temporary financial adjustments or external factors impacting the company during that period.
Cost of Capital
Merck & Co. Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Loans payable and long-term debt, including current portion. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
Merck & Co. Inc., 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 | ||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals 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.
The economic profit of the company exhibited significant fluctuations over the five-year period. Starting at a positive value of 2,385 million US dollars in 2020, economic profit saw a marked increase in both 2021 and 2022, reaching values of 8,014 million and 8,248 million US dollars respectively. This upward trend reversed sharply in 2023, with economic profit turning negative and recording a loss of 6,316 million US dollars. However, in 2024, the company rebounded strongly, achieving its highest economic profit of the period at 10,546 million US dollars.
Invested capital demonstrated a generally increasing trend, moving from 57,182 million US dollars in 2020 to 79,426 million US dollars in 2024. The invested capital rose steadily in 2021 and 2022 to 70,735 million and 73,942 million US dollars respectively, experienced a slight decline in 2023 to 69,966 million US dollars, and then increased again in 2024 to its peak for the period.
The economic spread ratio, representing the return generated over the cost of capital, mirrored the fluctuations in economic profit. Beginning at 4.17% in 2020, this ratio improved significantly in 2021 to 11.33% and remained relatively stable at 11.15% in 2022. A sharp deterioration occurred in 2023, with the ratio turning negative to -9.03%, indicating the company was not generating returns above its cost of capital that year. In 2024, the economic spread ratio climbed back to 13.28%, indicating a strong recovery and an improved capability to generate economic value.
Overall, the data indicates a period of strong financial performance in 2021 and 2022, followed by a significant downturn in 2023 characterized by negative economic profit and economic spread ratio. This decline was recovered in 2024 with considerable growth in economic profit and an increase in invested capital, suggesting renewed operational efficiency and improved economic returns.
Economic Profit Margin
Merck & Co. Inc., 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 | ||||||
| Sales | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals 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 ÷ Sales
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Sales Trend
- The company has demonstrated a consistent upward trend in sales over the five-year period. Sales figures increased from approximately 47.99 billion US dollars in 2020 to 64.17 billion US dollars in 2024. This growth indicates a steady expansion in revenue generation, with particularly notable increases in 2022 and 2024.
- Economic Profit Trend
- The economic profit figures exhibit significant volatility throughout the time frame. Starting at 2.39 billion US dollars in 2020, economic profit rose markedly to 8.01 billion in 2021 and slightly increased again to 8.25 billion in 2022. However, in 2023, there was a drastic reversal to a negative economic profit of approximately -6.32 billion, implying a substantial economic loss during that year. This was followed by a strong recovery in 2024, with economic profit reaching its highest value of about 10.55 billion US dollars.
- Economic Profit Margin Analysis
- The economic profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, follows a pattern consistent with economic profit fluctuations. The margin increased from just under 5% in 2020 to over 16% in 2021, then slightly decreased to nearly 14% in 2022. The year 2023 saw a negative margin of approximately -10.5%, signaling that the company did not generate economic profit relative to its sales during this period. This margin rebounded strongly in 2024, returning to roughly 16.4%, signifying a recovery to profitable operations on an economic profit basis.
- Overall Insights
- The data reveals resilient sales growth paired with significant swings in economic profitability. The sharp economic loss in 2023 contrasts with generally strong performance in other years, suggesting external or internal factors adversely affected profitability despite growing sales. The recovery observed in 2024 reflects a return to strong economic profitability, indicating corrective measures or improvements that restored favorable economic profit margins. Monitoring the causes of the 2023 downturn and ensuring sustainable profitability alongside sales growth will be critical for future performance stability.