Stock Analysis on Net

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)

$24.99

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

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Economic Profit

Pfizer Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
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 exhibits significant volatility over the analyzed period. There was a substantial increase from 6,095 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 31,018 million USD in 2022, followed by a sharp decline to a negative figure of -1,277 million USD in 2023. In 2024, the NOPAT recovers to a positive 7,374 million USD, indicating some degree of operational recovery after the downturn in the previous year.

Cost of capital

The cost of capital shows a slight upward trend from 9.48% in 2020 to a high of 10.13% in 2022. This is followed by a moderate decrease to 8.73% in 2023, with a marginal increase to 8.9% in 2024. The fluctuations suggest changes in the company’s risk profile or capital structure, with the highest cost coinciding with the peak NOPAT year.

Invested capital

Invested capital decreased from 103,898 million USD in 2020 to 87,670 million USD in 2021, but then rose steadily to a peak of 154,882 million USD in 2023 before declining to 135,777 million USD in 2024. This pattern indicates substantial reinvestment or acquisitions culminating in 2023, followed by a divestment or asset reduction phase in 2024.

Economic profit

Economic profit mirrors the NOPAT trend but magnifies the impact of the cost of capital. The company experienced negative economic profit of -3,754 million USD in 2020, which turned positive and increased sharply to a peak of 19,795 million USD in 2022. In 2023, economic profit dropped drastically to -14,801 million USD, the lowest point in the period, recovering slightly to -4,706 million USD in 2024 but remaining negative. This indicates that despite operational gains in some years, the company struggled to generate returns above its cost of capital, especially after 2022.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Pfizer Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in restructuring accruals3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense6
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes7
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
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: 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 restructuring accruals.

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders.

5 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2024 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders.

8 2024 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 data reveals notable fluctuations in profitability measures over the five-year period under review. Both net income attributable to common shareholders and net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibit significant variability, indicating shifts in operational efficiency and overall financial performance.

Net Income Attributable to Pfizer Inc. Common Shareholders
The net income increased substantially from 9,616 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 31,372 million USD in 2022. This growth signals a period of heightened profitability. However, the figure declined sharply to 2,119 million USD in 2023, representing a significant downturn. The net income rebounded in 2024 to 8,031 million USD, yet remained well below the peak levels observed in 2021 and 2022.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT followed a similar trajectory as net income. It rose from 6,095 million USD in 2020 to a maximum of 31,018 million USD in 2022, demonstrating improved operational performance and effective tax management during this period. In 2023, NOPAT turned negative to -1,277 million USD, reflecting operational challenges and possibly extraordinary items impacting profitability. The measure recovered moderately in 2024, reaching 7,374 million USD, yet still significantly lower compared to the peak years.

Overall, the data indicates a strong growth trend in profitability through 2022, followed by a pronounced decline in 2023, and a partial recovery in 2024. The volatile pattern suggests the presence of external or internal factors causing fluctuations in earnings and operating profitability, which could merit further investigation to understand the underlying drivers and sustainability of recent earnings levels.


Cash Operating Taxes

Pfizer Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Provision (benefit) for taxes on income
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

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).


Provision (benefit) for taxes on income
The provision for taxes on income demonstrated significant volatility over the observed periods. Initially, it increased notably from 477 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 3,328 million USD in 2022. Subsequently, it shifted to a negative value, indicating a tax benefit, with -1,115 million USD recorded in 2023, followed by a marginal negative provision of -28 million USD in 2024. This pattern suggests a possible influence of tax credits, adjustments, or one-time events impacting the effective tax expense.
Cash operating taxes
Cash operating taxes exhibited a rising trend from 2,090 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 7,967 million USD in 2022. After reaching this high point, there was a pronounced decline to 2,113 million USD in 2023. The figure modestly increased again to 2,426 million USD in 2024. This fluctuation indicates variability in the company’s cash tax obligations, potentially reflecting changes in taxable income, tax planning strategies, or timing differences in tax payments.

Invested Capital

Pfizer Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Pfizer Inc. shareholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
Restructuring accruals4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
Adjusted total Pfizer Inc. shareholders’ equity
Construction in progress7
Marketable securities8
Invested capital

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 restructuring accruals.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Pfizer Inc. shareholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of construction in progress.

8 Subtraction of marketable securities.


The data reveals significant fluctuations across the reported financial items over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024.

Total reported debt & leases

This figure remained relatively stable between 2020 and 2022, with values around 41,000 million US dollars. However, it increased substantially in 2023 to over 75,000 million US dollars, representing almost a doubling compared to the previous year. In 2024, there was a decrease to approximately 67,000 million US dollars, though this figure remained markedly higher than the levels seen from 2020 to 2022.

Total Pfizer Inc. shareholders’ equity

Shareholders’ equity exhibited a generally increasing trend from 63,238 million US dollars in 2020, rising steadily to a peak of 95,661 million US dollars in 2022. Following this apex, the equity declined moderately in the succeeding two years, reaching 88,203 million US dollars by the end of 2024. Despite the decrease post-2022, the equity values in 2023 and 2024 remained higher than the initial 2020 level.

Invested capital

Invested capital presents a more volatile trend. Starting at 103,898 million US dollars in 2020, it decreased to 87,670 million US dollars in 2021, indicating a contraction. This was followed by a substantial increase in 2022 to 110,746 million US dollars and an even sharper rise in 2023 to 154,882 million US dollars. By 2024, invested capital receded to 135,777 million US dollars but remained significantly above the 2020 level.

Overall, the data highlights a phase of increased leverage in 2023, as reflected by the sharp rise in total reported debt and leases, coupled with a significant buildup of invested capital during the same period. Shareholders’ equity expanded robustly through 2022, peaking before experiencing moderate declines, suggesting possible distribution of earnings or adjustments in retained earnings. The trends indicate dynamic financial management actions influencing capital structure and investment intensity, especially from 2022 through 2024.


Cost of Capital

Pfizer 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: 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

Pfizer Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
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
Merck & Co. 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.


Economic Profit Trends
The economic profit experienced considerable fluctuations over the analyzed periods. Initially, a significant negative value was recorded, indicating losses. Subsequently, a strong positive trend emerged, peaking in the third period. However, the performance declined sharply thereafter, reverting to negative values in the last two periods. This pattern suggests volatility in profitability with periods of both substantial gains and losses.
Invested Capital Movements
Invested capital demonstrated variability, starting at a relatively high level, decreasing in the second period, then notably increasing in the fourth period before dropping again in the last period. The peak in the fourth period implies a considerable increase in resource commitment, which is followed by a reduction, possibly reflecting changes in strategic investments or asset divestments.
Economic Spread Ratio Evolution
The economic spread ratio, indicative of the return over cost of capital, mirrored the economic profit trends. It showed a transition from negative to positive values reaching a maximum in the third period, evidencing efficient capital utilization during that time. The subsequent decline into negative territory in the final two periods highlights challenges in generating returns above capital costs, which aligns with the downturn in economic profit.
Overall Insights
The data reveals a cyclical performance pattern, with a phase of recovery and growth followed by a downturn. Fluctuations in invested capital suggest active capital allocation decisions, which correspond with changes in profitability and economic spread. The negative values in the recent periods point to potential operational or market challenges affecting value creation. Continuous monitoring of capital efficiency and profit drivers is warranted to stabilize and enhance future performance.

Economic Profit Margin

Pfizer Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Revenues
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
Merck & Co. 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 ÷ Revenues
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Revenues
The revenue figures exhibit a notable increase from 42,678 million US dollars in 2020 to a peak of 101,175 million US dollars in 2022. Following this peak, there is a sharp decline in 2023 to 59,553 million US dollars, with a slight recovery to 63,627 million US dollars projected for 2024. This pattern suggests a period of significant growth in the initial years, followed by a pronounced contraction and modest stabilization in subsequent years.
Economic Profit
Economic profit shows substantial volatility throughout the period. In 2020, the company experienced a loss of 3,754 million US dollars. This transitioned to positive economic profits in 2021 and 2022, reaching a maximum of 19,795 million US dollars in 2022. However, a dramatic reversal occurs in 2023 with a sizable loss of 14,801 million US dollars, and though the loss diminishes by 2024, it remains negative at 4,706 million US dollars. This trend indicates a period of strong economic value creation followed by a significant erosion of economic profit.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin mirrors the fluctuations observed in economic profit. Starting with a negative margin of -8.8% in 2020, it improves sharply to 11.79% in 2021 and further to 19.57% in 2022. The margin then deteriorates markedly to -24.85% in 2023, signaling considerable operational or cost challenges relative to revenues. A partial recovery to -7.4% is projected in 2024 but remains in negative territory, indicating ongoing pressure on profitability relative to revenue.
Overall Analysis
The data reveals a cyclical pattern where increased revenues in 2021 and 2022 coincide with substantial improvements in both economic profit and profit margin, suggesting effective cost management or higher value generation during this period. The sharp decline in revenues after 2022 is accompanied by a significant drop in economic profitability, underscoring sensitivity to revenue changes. The return to negative economic profit and margin post-2022 implies challenges in maintaining profitable operations under reduced revenue levels. The partial revenue recovery forecasted for 2024 does not yet translate into positive economic profit, highlighting potential fixed costs, structural inefficiencies, or competitive pressures affecting margin sustainability.