Stock Analysis on Net

ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW)

$24.99

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

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Economic Profit

ServiceNow 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
= × =


Over the observed periods, the company demonstrated consistent growth in net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT), increasing from 886 million USD in 2020 to 2283 million USD in 2024. This represents a substantial upward trend, with particularly notable growth after 2022.

The cost of capital remained relatively stable, with a slight incremental trend from 14.65% in 2020 to 14.82% in 2024. This indicates a marginal increase in the cost of funding or required return over the period.

Invested capital showed a continuous rise, moving from 4325 million USD in 2020 to 9898 million USD in 2024. The increase in invested capital suggests ongoing investments or asset accumulation to support operational growth.

Economic profit exhibited fluctuations but generally followed an upward trajectory. After a decline from 253 million USD in 2020 to 195 million USD in 2022, economic profit increased markedly in the subsequent years, reaching 816 million USD in 2024. This improved performance indicates enhanced value creation beyond the cost of capital in later years.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
Demonstrated steady and substantial growth, more than doubling over the five-year span.
Cost of Capital
Exhibited minimal increase, remaining close to 14.7% on average, implying relatively stable financing conditions.
Invested Capital
Increased significantly, reflecting continued capital investment aligned with growth objectives.
Economic Profit
Initially decreased but showed strong recovery and growth in later years, surpassing previous levels and signifying improved profitability relative to capital costs.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

ServiceNow 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
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue2
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents3
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability4
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense5
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes6
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income7
Investment income, after taxes8
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 deferred revenue.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income.

4 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

5 2024 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

6 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income.

7 2024 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

8 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net Income Trend
The net income exhibits a significant upward trajectory from 2020 to 2023, increasing from 119 million US dollars in 2020 to a peak of 1,731 million US dollars in 2023. This represents a substantial growth, indicating strong profitability growth during these years. However, a decline is observed in 2024, with net income decreasing to 1,425 million US dollars, suggesting some challenges or changes that impacted earnings in the latest period.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT) Trend
NOPAT shows consistent growth over the entire period from 2020 through 2024. Starting at 886 million US dollars in 2020, it rises steadily each year, reaching 2,283 million US dollars by 2024. This consistent upward trend implies improving operating efficiency and profitability before the impact of non-operating items or extraordinary costs that might affect net income.
Comparison Between Net Income and NOPAT
While both net income and NOPAT increase over time, NOPAT shows a more uniform upward trend without any decline. The divergence in 2024, where net income falls but NOPAT continues to rise, could indicate increased non-operating expenses, tax variability, or other financial adjustments affecting the bottom line. This difference highlights the importance of separating core operating performance from net profitability, where operating results remain strong despite a setback in net income.
Overall Financial Performance Insights
The financial data reveals strong growth and improved operating profitability over the five-year span. The peak in net income followed by a decline in the final year warrants attention to underlying factors outside operating performance. Meanwhile, continued NOPAT growth suggests the company maintains robust operational fundamentals, highlighting resilience and possible growth opportunities despite net income fluctuations.

Cash Operating Taxes

ServiceNow 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 for (benefit from) income taxes
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).


The financial data reveals significant volatility in the provision for income taxes over the analyzed period. Initially, this provision decreased from 31 million US dollars at the end of 2020 to 19 million in 2021, followed by a marked increase to 74 million in 2022. The most notable fluctuation occurred in 2023, where the provision swung drastically to a negative value of -723 million, indicating a potential income tax benefit or adjustment during that year. In 2024, the provision reverted to a positive figure of 313 million, reflecting a substantial recovery or adjustment in tax expenses.

Conversely, cash operating taxes exhibited a different pattern characterized by gradual increases with some fluctuations. Starting at 56 million in 2020, cash taxes slightly rose to 59 million in 2021, then decreased to 53 million in 2022. From 2022 onwards, a steady upward trend is observable, with an increase to 82 million in 2023 followed by a more pronounced rise to 138 million in 2024. This suggests growing outflows related to operational tax payments, aligning with potential increases in taxable income or changes in tax regulations affecting operational cash tax expenses.

Provision for income taxes
Declined from 2020 to 2021, increased in 2022, sharply reversed to a large negative figure in 2023, and rebounded strongly in 2024.
Cash operating taxes
Presented a relatively stable trend with minor fluctuations until 2022, followed by a steady and significant increase through 2023 and 2024.

The contrasting behavior between the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes in 2023 particularly highlights an unusual tax event or accounting adjustment that impacted accrual-based tax provisions but did not reduce the actual cash outflow for taxes. Subsequent normalization in 2024 suggests resolution of this irregularity, with tax provisions and cash taxes both increasing significantly, potentially reflecting higher taxable earnings or adjusted tax liabilities.


Invested Capital

ServiceNow 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
Current debt, net
Long-term debt, net, less current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Deferred revenue3
Equity equivalents4
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax5
Adjusted stockholders’ equity
Construction in progress6
Available-for-sale debt securities7
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 deferred revenue.

4 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.

5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

6 Subtraction of construction in progress.

7 Subtraction of available-for-sale debt securities.


The financial data reveals distinct patterns in key capital structure and equity metrics over the five-year period ending in 2024.

Total Reported Debt & Leases
This metric remained relatively stable, showing a slight increase from 2,135 million USD in 2020 to 2,278 million USD in 2024. The trend suggests that the company maintained a consistent level of debt and lease obligations with only marginal fluctuations throughout the observed timeframe.
Stockholders’ Equity
There is a strong upward trend in stockholders’ equity, rising significantly from 2,834 million USD in 2020 to 9,609 million USD in 2024. This represents more than a threefold increase over five years, indicating substantial growth in the company’s net assets attributable to shareholders. The accelerated growth year-over-year suggests active equity accumulation, possibly driven by retained earnings, earnings growth, or additional equity financing.
Invested Capital
Invested capital also demonstrated a marked increase, growing from 4,325 million USD in 2020 to 9,898 million USD in 2024. The growth trajectory closely parallels that of stockholders’ equity, implying that the company substantially increased the total capital utilized for its operations. The steady growth in invested capital, supported by stable debt levels, underscores a strategy focused on expanding operational capacity while maintaining manageable leverage.

Cost of Capital

ServiceNow Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term 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 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term 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 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term 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 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term 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 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term 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 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

ServiceNow 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
Accenture PLC
Adobe Inc.
AppLovin Corp.
Cadence Design Systems Inc.
CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.
Datadog Inc.
International Business Machines Corp.
Intuit Inc.
Microsoft Corp.
Oracle Corp.
Palantir Technologies Inc.
Palo Alto Networks Inc.
Salesforce Inc.
Synopsys Inc.
Workday 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 exhibits a fluctuating pattern with an initial slight decline from 253 million US dollars in 2020 to 248 million in 2021, followed by a more pronounced drop to 195 million in 2022. However, a significant recovery is observed in the subsequent years, rising sharply to 613 million in 2023 and further to 816 million in 2024. This indicates a substantial increase in value creation over the last two reported years.
Invested Capital
Invested capital has shown a consistent upward trajectory throughout the period, increasing from 4,325 million US dollars in 2020 to 5,871 million in 2021, and further rising steadily to 6,490 million in 2022, 8,131 million in 2023, and reaching 9,898 million in 2024. This steady growth in invested capital suggests ongoing expansion or reinvestment activities.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio, representing the return spread over the cost of capital, demonstrates a declining trend initially, dropping from 5.84% in 2020 to 4.22% in 2021 and further to 3.01% in 2022. Thereafter, it experiences a marked improvement, increasing to 7.53% in 2023 and further to 8.25% in 2024. This reversal indicates enhanced profitability relative to capital costs in the latter years.
Overall Analysis
The data reflects a period of contraction in economic profit and profitability margins between 2020 and 2022, despite rising invested capital. From 2023 onwards, there is a notable recovery and growth in both economic profit and the economic spread ratio, suggesting improved capital efficiency and value generation. The consistent increase in invested capital highlights ongoing investments, possibly funding growth initiatives that have started to yield higher economic returns in recent years.

Economic Profit Margin

ServiceNow 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
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
Adjusted revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Accenture PLC
Adobe Inc.
AppLovin Corp.
Cadence Design Systems Inc.
CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.
Datadog Inc.
International Business Machines Corp.
Intuit Inc.
Microsoft Corp.
Oracle Corp.
Palantir Technologies Inc.
Palo Alto Networks Inc.
Salesforce Inc.
Synopsys Inc.
Workday 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 revenues
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Adjusted Revenues
The adjusted revenues demonstrate a consistent and significant upward trend over the five-year period. Starting at 5,302 million US dollars in 2020, revenues increased to 6,787 million in 2021, then to 8,076 million in 2022. This growth continued more aggressively in 2023 and 2024, reaching 10,107 million and 12,032 million respectively. The data indicates robust revenue growth at an accelerating pace, reflecting the company’s expanding market presence or increased sales activities.
Economic Profit
The economic profit showed some fluctuations within the timeframe. It began at 253 million US dollars in 2020, slightly decreased to 248 million in 2021, and then more significantly declined to 195 million in 2022. However, the company achieved a strong turnaround in 2023 with economic profit rising sharply to 613 million, followed by further growth to 816 million in 2024. This pattern suggests that after facing a dip in economic profitability, the company implemented effective strategies or improvements that substantially enhanced economic profit in the latter years.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin trend closely mirrors that of economic profit. The margin started at 4.77% in 2020 and decreased to 3.65% in 2021, further dropping to 2.42% in 2022, indicating diminishing profitability relative to revenues in these years. The margin then improved markedly in 2023 to 6.06% and increased further to 6.78% in 2024. This recovery and subsequent growth in margin suggest improved efficiency, cost management, or better capital utilization contributing to enhanced profitability relative to revenue.
Overall Analysis
The company's financial data from 2020 to 2024 reflect an overall positive and upward trajectory in revenue and economic profit by the end of the period. Despite a temporary dip in economic profit and margin in 2021 and 2022, the post-2022 years display strong operational and financial performance improvements. The increasing economic profit margin alongside growing revenues implies enhanced profitability and economic value generation in the later years, indicative of successful strategic or operational initiatives.