Stock Analysis on Net

Waste Management Inc. (NYSE:WM)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since February 15, 2022.

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

Waste Management Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2021 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The financial analysis reveals several important trends over the five-year period. Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited an overall upward trend from 2017 through 2018, followed by declines in the subsequent years, yet remaining relatively stable around the 2000 million US$ mark in the last three years. This suggests that while profitability increased initially, it faced downward pressure or stagnation in the more recent periods.

During the same period, the cost of capital showed moderate fluctuations but generally remained close to the 10-11% range. This stability in the cost of capital indicates relatively consistent capital market conditions or company risk profile influencing the required returns.

Invested capital increased noticeably from 2017 to 2020, reflecting significant capital investment or asset growth. However, there was a slight reduction in 2021, which may suggest divestments, asset disposals, or restructuring efforts. The growth in invested capital outpaced the growth in NOPAT, affecting returns on invested capital adversely.

The economic profit, which represents the value created beyond the cost of capital, exhibited positive figures in 2017 and 2018 but turned negative thereafter and remained so in 2019, 2020, and 2021. This indicates that, despite generating profits, the company was not able to cover its cost of capital in the latter years, signaling potential value destruction during this period.

Profitability
NOPAT increased initially but declined slightly and stabilized, reflecting challenges in sustaining profit growth.
Cost of Capital
Remained fairly stable, around 10-11%, representing consistent capital costs.
Invested Capital
Increased significantly from 2017 to 2020, then slightly decreased in 2021, suggesting changes in asset base.
Economic Profit
Positive in early years but negative from 2019 to 2021, indicating a failure to generate returns above capital costs in recent years.

Overall, the data reflects a period of initial profitability growth followed by pressures that led to reduced economic profit despite considerable capital investment. This suggests the effectiveness of investment decisions and operational efficiency may have declined, warranting further investigation into cost structure, asset utilization, or market conditions impacting returns.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Waste Management Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues3
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
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
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: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenues.

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc..

5 2021 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2021 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 attributable to Waste Management, Inc..

8 2021 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 indicates fluctuations and trends in the profitability measures of the entity over the five-year period ending December 31, 2021.

Net Income Attributable to the Company
The net income shows a declining trend from 2017 through 2020, starting at 1,949 million US dollars in 2017, slightly decreasing to 1,925 million in 2018, followed by a more pronounced decrease to 1,670 million in 2019 and further down to 1,496 million in 2020. However, there is a rebound in 2021, with net income rising to 1,816 million, indicating a recovery after the decline in prior years.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT figures reveal a different pattern. Starting at 1,952 million US dollars in 2017, NOPAT increased substantially in 2018 to 2,286 million, peaking in that year. Afterward, it declined over the next two years to 2,119 million in 2019 and 2,018 million in 2020. By 2021, NOPAT experienced a slight increase to 2,064 million, indicating some stabilization or modest recovery in operating profitability after taxes.

In summary, while both net income and NOPAT exhibit declines starting around 2018 or 2019, net income shows a more significant decrease and a notable rebound by 2021, whereas NOPAT peaked earlier in 2018, followed by declines with a slight recovery by 2021. These patterns may reflect variations in non-operating income, expenses, taxes, or other adjustments impacting net income differently compared to operating profit.


Cash Operating Taxes

Waste Management Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Income tax expense
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: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).


The financial data over the five-year period ending December 31, 2021, shows distinct trends in both income tax expense and cash operating taxes.

Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense experienced a general increase from 2017 to 2021, with fluctuations during the intermediate years. The value rose significantly from $242 million in 2017 to $453 million in 2018. It then slightly decreased to $434 million in 2019 and further declined to $397 million in 2020. However, in 2021, there was a notable increase to $532 million, marking the highest expense in the period analyzed.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes demonstrated a downward trend from 2017 through 2020, followed by a sharp rise in 2021. Specifically, cash operating taxes decreased from $626 million in 2017 to $511 million in 2018 and further to $424 million in 2019. This downward trajectory continued with a reduction to $324 million in 2020. In 2021, this trend reversed dramatically as cash operating taxes surged to $689 million, surpassing all previous years in the data set.

Overall, while the income tax expense shows variability with an eventual upward movement to reach its peak in 2021, cash operating taxes reveal a more pronounced downward trend until 2020, followed by a significant increase in the last year. The contrasting movements in these two tax-related financial items in 2021 may indicate changes in tax policy application, operational performance, or other tax-related accounting factors impacting the company’s tax obligations.


Invested Capital

Waste Management Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt, less current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
Deferred revenues4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity
Available-for-sale securities7
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

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 deferred revenues.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of available-for-sale securities.


The financial data reveals distinct trends in key balance sheet components over the five-year period ending December 31, 2021.

Total Reported Debt & Leases
The total reported debt and leases exhibit an overall upward trend from 2017 through 2020, increasing from approximately $9,976 million in 2017 to a peak near $14,326 million in 2020. This represents a significant increase of roughly 43% over three years. In 2021, a slight decline to $13,928 million is noted, indicating a minor reduction in indebtedness or lease obligations after reaching the high point the prior year.
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders' equity also shows a general increase over the reviewed period, rising from about $6,019 million in 2017 to a maximum of $7,452 million in 2020. This growth suggests accumulated retained earnings and possible capital contributions enhancing the company’s net asset base. However, equity decreases slightly in 2021 to $7,124 million, indicating some erosion following the peak, which could be due to net losses, dividends, or other equity-reducing activities.
Invested Capital
Invested capital follows a similar pattern to total debt and equity, with steady growth from $17,686 million in 2017 to $23,729 million in 2020. This growth, amounting to approximately 34%, reflects increased deployment of financial resources into the company's operations, likely contributing to expansion or asset acquisition. The figure slightly contracts to $22,932 million in 2021, aligning with the modest declines in both debt and equity components.

Overall, the data depicts growth in the company’s financial size and capital structure through 2020, with a slight retrenchment in debt, equity, and invested capital during 2021. This trend suggests a period of expansion followed by cautious tightening or normalization of the balance sheet in the most recent year.


Cost of Capital

Waste Management Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
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 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Waste Management Inc., economic spread ratio calculation

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2021 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =


The financial data indicates notable fluctuations and trends over the five-year period ending December 31, 2021. Several key observations can be derived from the analysis of economic profit, invested capital, and economic spread ratio.

Economic Profit
There is a significant decline in economic profit from a positive value of 49 million US dollars in 2017 to a peak of 238 million in 2018, followed by a drastic shift to negative territory starting in 2019. The economic profit reached negative 336 million in 2019, and the losses deepened further in the subsequent years, ending at approximately negative 435 million US dollars in 2021. This sharp reversal suggests deteriorating profitability or increased costs relative to the company's capital costs after 2018.
Invested Capital
Invested capital showed a consistent upward trend from 2017 through 2020, increasing from approximately 17.7 billion to 23.7 billion US dollars. However, there is a slight reduction in 2021, where the figure decreases to approximately 22.9 billion US dollars. The overall increase in invested capital until 2020 implies ongoing investment or capital deployment in the business, which slightly reverses in the last year of the data.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio exhibits a pattern closely mirroring economic profit but expressed as a percentage. It was positive, albeit modest, at 0.28% in 2017 before improving notably to 1.29% in 2018. After 2018, the ratio sharply declined into negative figures, reaching -1.49% in 2019 and further deteriorating to -1.84% and -1.9% in 2020 and 2021 respectively. This decline aligns with the drop in economic profit and indicates that the return on invested capital fell below the cost of that capital, generating economic losses during these years.

In summary, the company experienced an initial improvement in economic performance up to 2018, followed by a considerable and sustained decline. Despite growing invested capital up to 2020, the company has not generated returns exceeding its capital costs since 2019, resulting in ongoing economic losses. The slight decrease in invested capital in 2021 might reflect strategic adjustments in response to these adverse profitability trends. Overall, the data reflects challenges in maintaining economic value creation during the latter part of the period analyzed.


Economic Profit Margin

Waste Management Inc., economic profit margin calculation

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
 
Operating revenues
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues
Adjusted operating revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2021 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted operating revenues
= 100 × ÷ =


Economic Profit
The economic profit exhibited a significant decline over the analyzed periods. Initially, it increased sharply from 49 million US dollars in 2017 to 238 million US dollars in 2018. However, from 2019 onwards, the metric turned negative, with values of -336 million in 2019, -437 million in 2020, and slightly improving to -435 million in 2021. This downward trend highlights increasing challenges in generating economic value beyond the cost of capital.
Adjusted Operating Revenues
The adjusted operating revenues showed a general upward trend. Revenues rose steadily from 14,495 million US dollars in 2017 to 15,467 million in 2019, with a slight dip to 15,223 million in 2020. This decline in 2020 may suggest the impact of external factors during that period. Revenue rebounded strongly in 2021, reaching 17,963 million US dollars, which represents considerable growth compared to prior years.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin mirrored the pattern of economic profit. It increased from 0.34% in 2017 to 1.59% in 2018, indicating improved efficiency in generating profit relative to revenues. Following that peak, the margin became negative, dropping to -2.17% in 2019 and further down to -2.87% in 2020. A marginal recovery occurred in 2021 with a margin of -2.42%, yet it remains below zero, consistent with the negative economic profits.