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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- Statement of Comprehensive Income
- Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Common-Size Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Analysis of Profitability Ratios
- Analysis of Short-term (Operating) Activity Ratios
- Price to FCFE (P/FCFE)
- Net Profit Margin since 2005
- Operating Profit Margin since 2005
- Current Ratio since 2005
- Analysis of Revenues
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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
= – × =
The financial data presents an overview of key performance indicators over a five-year period, reflecting notable fluctuations and trends.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- The NOPAT shows significant variation, with a peak observed in 2021 at 15,125 million US dollars. This is followed by a gradual decline over the subsequent years, reaching 6,582 million US dollars by 2024. The initial increase from 2020 to 2021 represents a considerable improvement, but the downward trend thereafter suggests challenges in maintaining profitability at those elevated levels.
- Cost of Capital
- The cost of capital remains relatively stable throughout the period, fluctuating slightly between 12.29% and 13.05%. The highest cost is seen in 2022 at 13.05%, while the lowest is observed in 2024 at 12.29%. This stability indicates consistent financing and investment risk perceptions over the years.
- Invested Capital
- The invested capital steadily increases year over year, starting from 33,181 million US dollars in 2020 and rising to 48,150 million US dollars by 2024. This continuous rise suggests ongoing investments and asset accumulation, possibly to support growth or operational needs.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit data portrays a volatile pattern. It begins with a negative value of -2,965 million US dollars in 2020, then dramatically improves to a positive 9,391 million US dollars in 2021. After that, economic profit declines sharply through the years, reaching 664 million US dollars in 2024. This behavior indicates fluctuating value creation relative to the cost of capital, with a strong performance in 2021 followed by diminishing returns thereafter.
Overall, the data reveals a peak in operational profitability and economic value creation in 2021, followed by a progressive decline amid stable capital costs and increasing capital investment. This suggests that while the company has been investing more resources, it has faced difficulties in converting these investments into proportional increases in net operating profit and economic profit in recent 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.
The analysis of the economic profit and invested capital over the five-year period demonstrates notable fluctuations in financial performance and efficiency.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit exhibited significant volatility. In 2020, the company recorded a substantial loss of approximately $2.965 billion. However, a strong recovery occurred in 2021, with economic profit rising sharply to about $9.391 billion. This positive trend continued into 2022 but at a reduced level, falling to $6.883 billion. The subsequent years saw a marked decline in economic profit, dropping to $1.908 billion in 2023 and further down to $664 million in 2024. This pattern suggests a peak in profitability in the early 2020s, followed by a steady weakening of economic returns.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital showed a consistent upward trajectory throughout the period. Starting at $33.181 billion in 2020, the capital invested increased annually, reaching $48.150 billion by 2024. This steady growth indicates ongoing expansion or reinvestment in the company’s asset base or operations, reflecting a strategic commitment to capital deployment.
- Economic Spread Ratio
- The economic spread ratio mirrored the trends in economic profit, though it remained positive after 2020. Starting from a negative figure of -8.94% in 2020, the ratio jumped to a robust 21.15% in 2021, indicating efficient generation of returns above the cost of capital. The ratio then declined to 15.37% in 2022 and dropped sharply to 4.2% in 2023, further falling to 1.38% in 2024. This decline points toward a diminishing margin between return on invested capital and its cost, suggesting diminishing operational profitability or increased capital costs over these years.
Overall, the data reflects a cycle of strong recovery and profitability in the early years studied, followed by weakening economic returns and spreads despite ongoing increases in invested capital. This pattern may warrant further examination into the factors influencing declining profitability and efficiency in recent years.
Economic Profit Margin
United Parcel Service Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ 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.
- Economic Profit
- The economic profit shows considerable volatility over the five-year period. It started with a significant negative value of -2,965 million USD in 2020, indicating a loss in value creation for that year. This turned to a strong positive figure of 9,391 million USD in 2021, followed by a decrease to 6,883 million USD in 2022. The profit further declined in 2023 and 2024 to 1,908 million USD and 664 million USD, respectively. This indicates a peak in economic profit in 2021, with a downward trend in subsequent years, although the values remain positive after 2020.
- Revenue
- Revenue increased steadily from 84,628 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 100,338 million USD in 2022. However, this was followed by a decline to 90,958 million USD in 2023, with a slight recovery to 91,070 million USD in 2024. Overall, the revenue trend shows growth until 2022, followed by contraction and stabilization near the 2023 level.
- Economic Profit Margin
- The economic profit margin exhibits a pattern similar to that of economic profit. It was negative at -3.5% in 2020, then rose sharply to 9.65% in 2021. After that, it steadily declined to 6.86% in 2022, 2.1% in 2023, and further down to 0.73% in 2024. This diminishing margin indicates that while the company generated economic profit after 2020, its efficiency in generating profit relative to revenue weakened progressively in the later years.