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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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Verizon Communications Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Cash Flow Statement
- Common-Size Income Statement
- Common-Size Balance Sheet: Assets
- Analysis of Short-term (Operating) Activity Ratios
- Enterprise Value to FCFF (EV/FCFF)
- Selected Financial Data since 2005
- Debt to Equity since 2005
- Price to Earnings (P/E) since 2005
- Aggregate Accruals
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Economic Profit
| 12 months ended: | Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | ||||||
| Cost of capital2 | ||||||
| Invested capital3 | ||||||
| Economic profit4 | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 NOPAT. See details »
2 Cost of capital. See details »
3 Invested capital. See details »
4 2025 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= – × =
The financial trajectory from 2021 to 2025 indicates a period of volatility in economic value creation, characterized by a significant contraction in 2023 followed by a partial recovery.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- NOPAT exhibited a notable downward trend between 2021 and 2023, declining from 29,903 million to a low of 19,450 million. A recovery phase followed in 2024 and 2025, with profits rising to 25,872 million, although these levels remain below the 2021 baseline.
- Invested Capital and Cost of Capital
- Invested capital grew consistently throughout the five-year period, increasing from 290,004 million in 2021 to 329,613 million by 2025. The cost of capital remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow range between 7.07% and 7.41%, with a slight upward trend observed from 2022 onward.
- Economic Profit Analysis
- Economic profit experienced a severe decline, falling from 8,655 million in 2021 to a negative value of 2,451 million in 2023. This deficit indicates a period of value destruction where NOPAT was insufficient to cover the cost of invested capital. While economic profit returned to positive territory in 2024 and 2025, the 2025 figure of 1,446 million represents a significant reduction in value creation compared to the start of the period.
The overall trend suggests that while operating profitability has rebounded from its 2023 trough, the continuous expansion of the invested capital base, coupled with a rising cost of capital, has constrained the company's ability to generate substantial economic profit.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
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 attributable to Verizon.
4 2025 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =
5 2025 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 attributable to Verizon.
7 2025 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 attributable to Verizon and Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT) both exhibited fluctuations over the five-year period. NOPAT generally tracked above net income, as expected, reflecting the adjustments made to arrive at an operating profit figure. A notable decline in both metrics occurred between 2021 and 2023, followed by recoveries in subsequent years.
- NOPAT Trend
- NOPAT decreased from US$29,903 million in 2021 to US$19,450 million in 2023, representing a substantial reduction. This decline suggests a weakening in core operational profitability during this period. However, NOPAT rebounded in 2024 to US$24,675 million and continued to increase to US$25,872 million in 2025, indicating a recovery in operating performance. The 2024 and 2025 values, while improved, did not reach the levels observed in 2021.
- Relationship between NOPAT and Net Income
- The difference between NOPAT and net income attributable to Verizon varied across the period. In 2021, NOPAT exceeded net income by approximately US$7,838 million. This difference narrowed in 2022 to around US$6,783 million. The gap widened significantly in 2023, with NOPAT exceeding net income by US$7,836 million, likely due to the more pronounced decline in net income. In 2024, the difference was approximately US$7,129 million, and in 2025, it was around US$8,698 million. These variations suggest changes in non-operating items or tax impacts influencing the disparity between the two profit measures.
The recovery in NOPAT during 2024 and 2025 is a positive sign, but the levels remain below the 2021 peak. Further investigation would be required to understand the drivers behind the initial decline and the subsequent recovery in NOPAT, including analysis of revenue growth, operating expenses, and tax rates.
Cash Operating Taxes
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
The income tax provision and cash operating taxes exhibited distinct trends over the five-year period. While the income tax provision generally decreased then stabilized, cash operating taxes demonstrated more volatility.
- Income Tax Provision
- The income tax provision decreased from US$6,802 million in 2021 to US$6,523 million in 2022, representing a 4.1% decline. A more substantial decrease was observed in 2023, falling to US$4,892 million. This trend reversed slightly in 2024, with the provision increasing to US$5,030 million, and continued with a further increase to US$5,064 million in 2025. Overall, the income tax provision shows an initial decline followed by a period of relative stability.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes increased significantly from US$3,436 million in 2021 to US$4,451 million in 2022, a rise of 29.6%. This was followed by a decrease to US$3,774 million in 2023. A substantial increase occurred in 2024, reaching US$5,750 million, before decreasing to US$4,273 million in 2025. The fluctuations in cash operating taxes suggest potential impacts from changes in tax laws, deferred tax asset realization, or timing differences between book and tax accounting.
The divergence between the income tax provision and cash operating taxes is notable. The income tax provision, representing the accounting expense, decreased initially and then stabilized, while cash operating taxes experienced larger swings. This difference suggests that non-cash components of the income tax provision, such as deferred taxes, play a significant role in the overall tax expense recognition. The increase in cash operating taxes in 2024, followed by a decrease in 2025, warrants further investigation to understand the underlying drivers of these changes.
- Relationship between Items
- In 2021, cash operating taxes were approximately 50.5% of the income tax provision. This percentage increased to 68.2% in 2022, decreased to 77.1% in 2023, rose to 114.3% in 2024, and then decreased to 84.3% in 2025. These shifts in the ratio indicate a changing relationship between reported tax expense and actual cash outflows for taxes.
Invested Capital
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
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 attributable to Verizon.
5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
6 Subtraction of work in progress.
7 Subtraction of marketable securities.
The reported invested capital exhibited an overall increasing trend between December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2025. However, this progression was not consistently upward, with some fluctuations observed during the period.
- Invested Capital Trend
- Invested capital began at US$290,004 million in 2021 and increased to US$301,478 million in 2022, representing a growth of approximately 3.9%. A further, albeit smaller, increase was noted in 2023, reaching US$304,400 million. The upward trend continued in 2024, with invested capital reaching US$307,881 million. A more substantial increase occurred between 2024 and 2025, with invested capital rising to US$329,613 million, marking the highest value within the observed timeframe.
- Debt & Leases
- Total reported debt and leases generally decreased from US$177,930 million in 2021 to US$168,357 million in 2024. However, an increase was observed in 2025, with debt and leases rising to US$181,643 million. This suggests a potential shift in financing strategy or increased borrowing activity towards the end of the period.
- Equity Attributable to Verizon
- Equity attributable to Verizon demonstrated consistent growth throughout the period. Starting at US$81,790 million in 2021, equity increased to US$91,144 million in 2022, US$92,430 million in 2023, US$99,237 million in 2024, and ultimately reached US$104,460 million in 2025. This consistent increase in equity likely contributed to the overall growth in invested capital.
The combined effect of fluctuations in debt and consistent growth in equity contributed to the overall trend in invested capital. The significant increase in invested capital between 2024 and 2025 warrants further investigation to determine the underlying drivers, potentially including significant capital expenditures or acquisitions.
Cost of Capital
Verizon Communications Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (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 Short-term and long-term debt, including finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
| Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Invested capital2 | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||
| T-Mobile US Inc. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 Invested capital. See details »
3 2025 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =
4 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial performance between 2021 and 2025 is characterized by a period of volatility in economic value creation, marked by a significant contraction in 2023 followed by a partial recovery. While the capital base expanded consistently throughout the period, the efficiency of this capital in generating returns above the cost of capital diminished substantially.
- Invested Capital Growth
- A consistent upward trend in invested capital is observed, increasing from 290,004 million US dollars in 2021 to 329,613 million US dollars by 2025. This indicates a steady expansion of the resource base deployed in the company's operations.
- Economic Profit Fluctuations
- Economic profit experienced a sharp decline from 8,655 million US dollars in 2021 to a deficit of 2,451 million US dollars in 2023. Although a recovery occurred in 2024 with a return to 2,369 million US dollars, the profit trend decelerated again by 2025, ending at 1,446 million US dollars, which is significantly lower than the initial 2021 levels.
- Economic Spread Ratio Performance
- The economic spread ratio mirrored the volatility of economic profit, peaking at 2.98% in 2021 before falling to a low of -0.81% in 2023. This negative value indicates a period where the return on invested capital fell below the cost of capital. While the ratio returned to positive territory in 2024 (0.77%) and 2025 (0.44%), the overall trend suggests a long-term compression in the spread, reflecting reduced economic efficiency in capital utilization.
Economic Profit Margin
| Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||
| Economic profit1 | ||||||
| Operating revenues | ||||||
| Performance Ratio | ||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | ||||||
| AT&T Inc. | ||||||
| T-Mobile US Inc. | ||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Operating revenues
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of economic value added reveals a period of significant volatility in the economic profit margin between 2021 and 2025. After a strong initial position, the margin experienced a sharp contraction, entering negative territory before a partial recovery.
- Economic Profit Margin Volatility
- The economic profit margin declined from 6.48% in 2021 to 4.91% in 2022, before falling to -1.83% in 2023. This trajectory indicates that by 2023, the operating returns were insufficient to cover the cost of capital employed, resulting in a destruction of economic value during that fiscal year.
- Recovery and Stabilization Trends
- A reversal of the downward trend occurred in 2024, with the economic profit margin returning to a positive 1.76%. However, this recovery was not sustained at the same level, as the margin compressed further to 1.05% by the end of 2025, indicating a continued struggle to return to the value-creation levels seen in 2021.
- Revenue Correlation
- Operating revenues remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period, fluctuating within a narrow range between US$ 133,613 million and US$ 138,191 million. The stark variance in economic profit and its corresponding margin, despite the consistency in top-line revenue, suggests that the fluctuations were primarily driven by changes in operating costs, net operating profit after tax, or the cost of capital.