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.
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United Parcel Service Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Balance Sheet: Assets
- Cash Flow Statement
- Common-Size Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Analysis of Solvency Ratios
- DuPont Analysis: Disaggregation of ROE, ROA, and Net Profit Margin
- Analysis of Reportable Segments
- Operating Profit Margin since 2005
- Current Ratio since 2005
- Total Asset Turnover since 2005
- Analysis of Debt
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Economic Profit
United Parcel Service 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 net operating profit after taxes exhibited significant fluctuation over the analyzed periods. Starting at 1,136 million US dollars in 2020, there was a dramatic increase to 15,125 million in 2021. However, this peak was followed by a decline to 12,726 million in 2022, and a further steady decrease in 2023 and 2024, reaching 6,582 million. This suggests an initial strong operational performance that weakened progressively in subsequent years.
- Cost of Capital
- The cost of capital showed a moderate upward trend from 12.53% in 2020 to a peak of 13.23% in 2022, before decreasing to 12.74% in 2023 and further to 12.45% by 2024. This indicates a rising cost environment initially, which slightly eased towards the end of the period under review.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital steadily increased throughout the period, from 33,181 million US dollars in 2020 to 48,150 million in 2024. This continuous growth suggests ongoing investments or acquisition of assets, reflecting expansion or capital intensity growth over time.
- Economic Profit
- Economic profit showed notable volatility. It started with a negative value of -3,021 million in 2020, improved substantially to a positive 9,313 million in 2021, and then declined again to 6,802 million in 2022. This downward trend continued more sharply to 1,831 million in 2023 and further dropped to 585 million in 2024. The pattern indicates that despite increased profitability in operating terms in earlier years, the returns above the cost of capital diminished significantly as invested capital increased and net operating profit declined.
- Summary Insights
- The data reveals a complex financial performance characterized by an initial surge in operating profitability and economic profit in 2021, followed by a gradual erosion of both net operating profit and economic profit through to 2024. Meanwhile, the invested capital consistently grew, suggesting heightened capital commitment that did not proportionally translate into sustained profitability above the cost of capital. The slight reduction in the cost of capital towards the end of the period offers some relief but did not offset the declining economic profit, reflecting challenges in generating value creation commensurate with capital investment in the latter years.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
United Parcel Service 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 credit losses.
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 shows significant volatility over the analyzed period. It started relatively low at 1,343 million USD in 2020, then experienced a sharp increase to 12,890 million USD in 2021. Following that peak, net income declined to 11,548 million USD in 2022, and continued to decrease more substantially in 2023 and 2024, reaching 6,708 million USD and 5,782 million USD respectively. This indicates a strong peak in profitability in 2021 followed by a steady decline, though it remains above the initial 2020 level.
- NOPAT (Net Operating Profit After Taxes) Trend
- The NOPAT also exhibits a similar pattern to net income, beginning at 1,136 million USD in 2020. Thereafter, it rose markedly to 15,125 million USD in 2021, representing the highest value within the period. It then experienced a decrease, falling to 12,726 million USD in 2022, and continued to decline in the subsequent years to 7,622 million USD in 2023 and 6,582 million USD in 2024. Despite the decline after 2021, the NOPAT levels in the later years remain notably higher than those at the start of the period.
- Overall Pattern
- Both key profitability metrics—net income and NOPAT—reflect a peak in 2021 followed by a downward trend through 2024. The declines from the peak values are quite pronounced, suggesting that the company faced challenges impacting profitability after 2021. Nevertheless, profitability metrics have not returned to the low levels seen in 2020, indicating retained periodic strength despite the decreases.
Cash Operating Taxes
United Parcel Service 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).
- Income Tax Expense
- The income tax expense exhibits significant volatility across the observed periods. There is a substantial increase from 501 million USD in 2020 to 3,705 million USD in 2021, indicating a sharp rise in tax liabilities or taxable income during that year. Subsequently, the tax expense decreases slightly but remains elevated at 3,277 million USD in 2022. Following 2022, a notable downward trend occurs with the tax expense falling to 1,865 million USD in 2023 and further down to 1,660 million USD in 2024. This pattern suggests a peak in tax expense in the early years followed by a considerable reduction towards the later years.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes show a more consistent upward movement initially, rising from 1,520 million USD in 2020 to 2,219 million USD in 2021, and further increasing to 2,913 million USD in 2022. Despite the initial rise, the trend reverses after 2022, with cash operating taxes decreasing to 1,861 million USD in 2023. However, there is a slight increase again in 2024 to 1,889 million USD. Overall, cash operating taxes demonstrate a growing burden through the first three years, followed by a reduction and a minor rebound in the final year.
- Comparison and Insights
- While both income tax expense and cash operating taxes start at relatively lower levels in 2020 and rise significantly in the subsequent years, income tax expense peaks higher and declines more sharply than cash operating taxes. The divergence in their trajectories after 2022 indicates possible changes in tax strategies, timing differences between accrued tax expense and actual cash paid, or adjustments related to deferred tax assets or liabilities. The fluctuations suggest a dynamic tax environment with a shift toward lower reported tax expenses and cash taxes in the recent years, potentially reflecting changes in profitability, tax planning measures, or regulatory impacts.
Invested Capital
United Parcel Service 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 equity equivalents to equity for controlling interests.
5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
6 Subtraction of construction-in-progress.
7 Subtraction of marketable securities.
- Total reported debt & leases
- The total reported debt and leases exhibit a fluctuating but generally declining trend over the five-year period. Starting from $27,754 million at the end of 2020, the figure decreased to $23,521 million by the end of 2022, followed by a rise to $26,729 million in 2023, before dipping again to $25,652 million in 2024. This pattern suggests some variability in debt management, possibly influenced by financing activities or capital expenditure requirements.
- Equity for controlling interests
- Equity for controlling interests shows a significant increase between 2020 and 2021, rising sharply from $657 million to $14,253 million. This upward trajectory continued, albeit at a slower pace, reaching $19,786 million in 2022. However, equity decreased moderately in the subsequent years to $17,306 million in 2023 and further to $16,718 million in 2024. The initial surge might reflect strong retained earnings or capital injections, while the later decline could suggest share repurchases, dividends, or losses impacting shareholder equity.
- Invested capital
- Invested capital demonstrates a consistent upward trend throughout the period. Starting at $33,181 million in 2020, it increased steadily each year, reaching $44,780 million in 2022 and continuing to rise to $48,150 million by the end of 2024. This gradual growth indicates ongoing investment in the company’s assets, potentially reflecting expansion or enhancement of operational capacity.
Cost of Capital
United Parcel Service Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Long-term debt, including current maturities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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, including current maturities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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, including current maturities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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, including current maturities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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, including current maturities. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
United Parcel Service 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 | ||||||
| FedEx Corp. | ||||||
| Uber Technologies Inc. | ||||||
| Union Pacific Corp. | ||||||
| United Airlines Holdings 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 displayed a significant turnaround over the period analyzed. In 2020, the economic profit was negative at -3021 million US dollars, indicating a loss. This turned positive in 2021 with a substantial increase to 9313 million US dollars, marking a peak over the five-year span. Subsequently, economic profit declined to 6802 million in 2022, 1831 million in 2023, and further reduced to 585 million in 2024. Despite remaining positive from 2021 onwards, the trend shows a marked reduction in economic profit after the peak year.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital exhibited a consistent upward trend throughout the years. Starting at 33,181 million US dollars in 2020, it increased steadily each year, reaching 48,150 million US dollars by 2024. This represents an overall growth of approximately 45% over the five-year period, suggesting ongoing investment and expansion in capital employed by the company.
- Economic Spread Ratio
- The economic spread ratio mirrored the fluctuations seen in economic profit. It was negative at -9.1% in 2020, reflecting a period of underperformance relative to capital cost. The ratio improved dramatically to 20.98% in 2021, indicating strong profitability relative to invested capital. After 2021, the ratio declined sharply to 15.19% in 2022, then further to 4.03% in 2023, and diminished to 1.21% in 2024. This suggests that while the company remained profitable relative to its capital base, the margin of profit has been decreasing steadily since its peak, indicating potential pressure on returns or increased capital costs relative to earnings.
Economic Profit Margin
United Parcel Service 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 | ||||||
| Revenue | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| FedEx Corp. | ||||||
| Uber Technologies Inc. | ||||||
| Union Pacific Corp. | ||||||
| United Airlines Holdings 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 Trends
- The revenue exhibited an upward trajectory from 2020 to 2022, increasing from 84,628 million US dollars in 2020 to 100,338 million US dollars in 2022. This was followed by a decrease in 2023, falling to 90,958 million US dollars, with a marginal increase in 2024 to 91,070 million US dollars. Overall, revenue growth peaked in 2022 before experiencing a decline and stabilization.
- Economic Profit Analysis
- Economic profit showed significant volatility during the period. It started with a negative figure of -3,021 million US dollars in 2020, then surged to a high of 9,313 million US dollars in 2021. After this peak, economic profit declined to 6,802 million US dollars in 2022 and continued to reduce substantially to 1,831 million US dollars in 2023 and further to 585 million US dollars in 2024. The trend indicates a strong recovery post-2020 loss, followed by a steady decrease in economic profit in subsequent years.
- Economic Profit Margin Patterns
- The economic profit margin mirrored the economic profit trends but expressed as a percentage of revenue. It was negative at -3.57% in 2020, then increased markedly to 9.57% in 2021. However, it gradually declined over the next three years to 6.78% in 2022, 2.01% in 2023, and 0.64% in 2024. The decrease indicates diminishing efficiency or profitability relative to revenue despite the initial strong performance after 2020.
- Overall Insights
- The company experienced a challenging year in 2020 with negative economic profit and margin, but it achieved a significant turnaround in 2021 with substantial economic profit and margin improvements. The subsequent years saw a reduction in both revenue and economic profitability metrics, suggesting possible operational, market, or cost pressures. Although revenue remained relatively stable after 2022, economic profit and its margin faced a consistent downward trend indicating narrowing returns. This pattern may prompt a review of cost management, pricing strategies, or operational efficiencies.