Stock Analysis on Net

Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:UBER)

$24.99

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

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.

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Economic Profit

Uber Technologies 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
= × =


The financial data reveals significant fluctuations in key performance metrics over the five-year period under review.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)

There is a notable trend in NOPAT, which initially exhibits a large negative value of -6,617 million in 2020, improving substantially to -819 million in 2021. However, this is followed by a sharp decline to -9,117 million in 2022, indicating a significant setback. A turnaround is observed in the subsequent years, with positive NOPAT figures of 2,401 million in 2023 and further growth to 3,752 million in 2024. This progression suggests substantial operational improvement and enhanced profitability in the latter period.

Cost of Capital

The cost of capital remains relatively stable over the period, fluctuating in a narrow range between approximately 16.6% and 17.8%. It slightly decreased from 17.51% in 2020 to 16.64% in 2021, then increased gradually to peak at 17.79% in 2023 before marginally declining to 17.76% in 2024. This stability implies that the company’s financing environment and risk profile have remained broadly consistent during these years.

Invested Capital

Invested capital displays a general downward trend, decreasing steadily from 21,038 million in 2020 to 14,934 million in 2024. This reduction may indicate efforts to optimize capital allocation or divestitures, which might have contributed to improved efficiency or shifts in strategic focus.

Economic Profit

Economic profit mirrors the volatility seen in NOPAT but to a more extreme degree. The company experiences large negative economic profits in 2020 (-10,300 million) and 2022 (-11,856 million), with a less pronounced negative value in 2021 (-3,494 million). By 2023, economic profit nears breakeven at -386 million and turns positive at 1,100 million in 2024, indicating that the company began generating returns above its cost of capital more recently.

Overall, the data indicates a company that faced considerable challenges around 2022 but managed to significantly improve its profitability and value creation by 2023 and 2024. The decline in invested capital, alongside stable cost of capital and turning economic profit positive, suggests enhanced capital efficiency and an improved operational performance in the final years analyzed.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Uber Technologies 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 (loss) attributable to Uber Technologies, Inc.
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in restructuring and related charges accrual3
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
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income8
Investment income, after taxes9
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 and related charges accrual.

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss) attributable to Uber Technologies, Inc..

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 (loss) attributable to Uber Technologies, Inc..

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.


The financial data reveals significant fluctuations in the profitability of the company over the observed five-year period. The net income attributable to the company shows a notable trend from substantial losses to considerable profitability.

Net Income (Loss)
Initially, the company experienced very large net losses, with the loss amounting to -6,768 million US dollars in 2020. This negative result significantly narrowed in 2021, with losses reducing to -496 million US dollars. However, 2022 saw a dramatic reversal with net losses deepening again to -9,141 million US dollars, indicating potential challenges or one-off expenses during that year. Subsequently, there was a marked recovery in 2023, with the net income turning positive to 1,887 million US dollars. This positive trend continued and further improved in 2024, reaching a net income of 9,856 million US dollars, signaling a strong turnaround and improvement in profitability.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The trend in NOPAT mirrors that of net income with persistent losses in the initial years followed by improvements. In 2020, NOPAT was negative at -6,617 million US dollars, narrowing to -819 million US dollars in 2021. In 2022, this metric worsened sharply to a loss of -9,117 million US dollars, closely paralleling the net income loss for the year. From 2023 onward, NOPAT turned positive, registering 2,401 million US dollars in 2023 and increasing to 3,752 million US dollars in 2024. This shift indicates enhanced operational efficiency and effective tax management contributing to overall profitability in the latter years.

Overall, the data illustrates a company overcoming significant financial difficulties between 2020 and 2022, with a pronounced recovery beginning in 2023 and accelerating in 2024. This improvement in financial performance suggests effective strategic adjustments, cost management, or increased revenue generation that have reversed previous losses into substantial gains. The parallel movement of net income and NOPAT indicates consistent operational performance improvements alongside tax-related factors.


Cash Operating Taxes

Uber Technologies 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 provision for income taxes experienced significant fluctuations over the observed period. Initially, the provision was a negative value of -192 million US dollars at the end of 2020, indicating a tax benefit. This trend continued and amplified in 2021, reaching a benefit peak of -492 million US dollars. However, the following year saw a reduction in the tax benefit to -181 million US dollars, followed by a notable reversal in 2023 where the provision turned positive to 213 million US dollars, indicating a tax expense. In 2024, the provision saw an extraordinary shift to a substantial tax benefit amounting to -5758 million US dollars.

Cash operating taxes showed a generally increasing trend from 2020 through 2022, rising from 184 million US dollars to 375 million US dollars. In 2023, cash operating taxes decreased to 242 million US dollars and remained relatively stable in 2024 with a slight increase to 250 million US dollars.

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
Exhibits significant volatility with large swings between tax benefits and expenses. The values indicate a trend of fluctuating tax positions, possibly influenced by changes in earnings, tax regulations, or accounting treatments. The abrupt change in 2024 to a large tax benefit suggests the occurrence of unusual or one-time tax events.
Cash operating taxes
Show a moderate upward trend initially, peaking in 2022 before declining in subsequent years. The reduction in cash operating taxes despite the volatility in the provision for income taxes suggests differences between accounting for tax expenses and actual tax payments.

Invested Capital

Uber Technologies 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 portion of long-term debt
Finance leases liabilities, current
Long-term debt, net of current portion
Finance leases liabilities, non-current
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Uber Technologies, Inc. stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
Restructuring and related charges accrual4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Redeemable non-controlling interests
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests
Adjusted total Uber Technologies, Inc. stockholders’ 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 and related charges accrual.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Uber Technologies, Inc. stockholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of construction in progress.

8 Subtraction of marketable securities.


Total reported debt & leases
The total reported debt and leases have exhibited a gradual increase from 9,603 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 11,702 million USD in 2023, followed by a slight reduction to 11,436 million USD in 2024. This trend indicates a relatively stable but elevated leverage position with a modest decrease in the most recent period.
Total stockholders’ equity
Stockholders’ equity showed significant fluctuations over the observed periods. It increased from 12,266 million USD in 2020 to 14,458 million USD in 2021, then sharply declined to 7,340 million USD in 2022. Subsequently, equity rebounded to 11,249 million USD in 2023 and surged strongly to 21,558 million USD in 2024. This volatility might reflect periods of significant capital restructuring, losses, or valuation adjustments followed by recovery and strengthening of the equity base.
Invested capital
Invested capital displayed a downward trend from 21,038 million USD in 2020 to 14,934 million USD in 2024. While there were minor fluctuations between 2021 and 2023, the overall trajectory indicates a reduction in the resources actively employed by the company over the five-year span.

Cost of Capital

Uber Technologies Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt and finance leases liabilities3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt and finance leases liabilities3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt and finance leases liabilities3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt and finance leases liabilities3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt and finance leases liabilities3 ÷ = × × (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 and finance leases liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Uber Technologies 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
FedEx Corp.
Union Pacific Corp.
United Airlines Holdings Inc.
United Parcel Service 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 shows considerable volatility over the analyzed periods. Starting with a significant negative value of -10,300 million US dollars in 2020, there is a notable improvement in 2021 to -3,494 million US dollars. However, this trend reverses sharply in 2022, with economic profit worsening to -11,856 million US dollars. Subsequently, the figures move positively, reaching -386 million US dollars in 2023 and further improving to a positive 1,100 million US dollars by 2024. This pattern indicates a recovery phase in the latter periods, moving from heavy losses toward profitability.
Invested Capital
The invested capital demonstrates a declining trend throughout the years. Beginning at 21,038 million US dollars in 2020, it decreases to 16,078 million in 2021 and maintains a relatively stable range around 16,340 million in 2022. Afterward, it continues its downward trajectory, reaching 15,670 million in 2023 and further reducing to 14,934 million in 2024. This gradual reduction in invested capital may suggest strategic asset optimization or divestment activities.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio remains negative during the first four periods but shows significant improvement over time. Initially, it stands at -48.96% in 2020 and improves to -21.73% in 2021. It deteriorates again in 2022 to -72.56%, the lowest point in the timeframe. However, by 2023, it substantially recovers to -2.47%, turning positive to 7.37% in 2024. This positive shift in the economic spread ratio in the final year aligns with the recovery observed in economic profit, reflecting improved returns relative to the cost of capital.

Economic Profit Margin

Uber Technologies 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
Revenue
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
FedEx Corp.
Union Pacific Corp.
United Airlines Holdings Inc.
United Parcel Service 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 ÷ Revenue
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Revenue Trend
The company has demonstrated consistent growth in revenue over the five-year period. Starting from US$11,139 million in 2020, revenue increased significantly to US$17,455 million in 2021, and then nearly doubled by 2022, reaching US$31,877 million. The upward trajectory continued in subsequent years, with revenue rising to US$37,281 million in 2023 and further to US$43,978 million in 2024.
Economic Profit Analysis
Economic profit showed considerable volatility and generally negative performance from 2020 to 2023. The financial figure started at a substantial loss of US$-10,300 million in 2020, improved to a lesser loss of US$-3,494 million in 2021, but then deteriorated sharply to US$-11,856 million in 2022. The trend reversed in 2023 with a marked reduction in losses to US$-386 million, culminating in a positive economic profit of US$1,100 million by 2024, indicating a significant turnaround in value creation.
Economic Profit Margin Dynamics
The economic profit margin shows a similar pattern of initial heavy negative margin, followed by gradual improvement and eventual positive performance. The margin was highly negative at -92.47% in 2020, improved to -20.01% in 2021, but worsened again to -37.19% in 2022. From 2023 onwards, the margin approached near break-even at -1.04%, and turned positive at 2.5% in 2024. This trend reflects the company's successful efforts to enhance profitability relative to its economic value added.
Overall Insights
Over the given period, the company experienced strong revenue growth but faced challenges in translating this growth into positive economic profit until the final year. The recovery in economic profit and its margin in 2023 and 2024 suggests improved operational efficiency or cost management, ultimately leading to value creation. The data indicates a positive trajectory towards sustained profitability following previous volatile performance.