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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- Income Statement
- Analysis of Profitability Ratios
- Analysis of Long-term (Investment) Activity Ratios
- DuPont Analysis: Disaggregation of ROE, ROA, and Net Profit Margin
- Selected Financial Data since 2005
- Current Ratio since 2005
- Debt to Equity since 2005
- Price to Earnings (P/E) since 2005
- Price to Book Value (P/BV) since 2005
- Price to Sales (P/S) since 2005
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Economic Profit
Apple Inc., economic profit calculation
US$ in millions
| 12 months ended: | Sep 27, 2025 | Sep 28, 2024 | Sep 30, 2023 | Sep 24, 2022 | Sep 25, 2021 | Sep 26, 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 | |||||||
| Cost of capital2 | |||||||
| Invested capital3 | |||||||
| Economic profit4 | |||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26).
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 analyzed period demonstrates a consistent ability to generate positive economic profit, indicating that the returns on invested capital consistently exceed the company's cost of capital. While the overall trajectory is upward, the growth pattern exhibits a period of stagnation between 2023 and 2024 followed by a significant expansion in 2025.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
- NOPAT experienced substantial growth between 2020 and 2022, rising from 58,673 million to a peak of 101,652 million. A moderate decline occurred during the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years, with values settling around 91,849 million. However, a sharp recovery is observed in 2025, with NOPAT reaching its highest point in the period at 112,234 million.
- Cost of Capital
- A steady and incremental increase in the cost of capital is evident throughout the entire timeframe. Starting at 18.38% in 2020, the rate rose consistently each year, reaching 19.09% by 2025. This upward trend suggests a rising hurdle rate for investments over the six-year period.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital showed a general increasing trend with some volatility. After steady growth from 2020 to 2023, where it reached 60,243 million, a contraction occurred in 2024, dropping to 50,072 million. This was followed by a significant surge in 2025, with invested capital increasing to 88,915 million, the highest level recorded in the data set.
- Economic Profit
- Economic profit followed a path similar to NOPAT, growing rapidly from 52,010 million in 2020 to 92,918 million in 2022. A plateau is observed between 2023 and 2024, where economic profit remained relatively flat at approximately 82,000 million. The period concludes with a strong increase to 95,264 million in 2025, confirming that the increase in NOPAT more than offset the combined impact of higher invested capital and a higher cost of capital.
Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)
Apple Inc., NOPAT calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26).
1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »
2 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenue.
3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income.
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.
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 Trend
- Over the observed periods, net income exhibits an overall upward trajectory with some fluctuations. Starting at 57,411 million USD in 2020, there is a substantial increase to 94,680 million USD in 2021. This growth continues moderately to 99,803 million USD in 2022. However, a decline is noted in 2023 and 2024, with net income decreasing to 96,995 million USD and then further to 93,736 million USD, respectively. By 2025, net income rebounds strongly to reach a new peak of 112,010 million USD, indicating recovery and growth surpassing previous highs.
- Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT) Development
- NOPAT follows a pattern generally similar to net income but with higher values each year, suggesting efficient operational profitability. Beginning at 58,673 million USD in 2020, there is an increase to 91,407 million USD in 2021. Growth continues, peaking at 101,652 million USD in 2022. A decline follows in 2023 and 2024, with NOPAT reducing to 94,296 million USD and 91,849 million USD, respectively. By 2025, NOPAT increases significantly to 112,234 million USD, slightly exceeding net income, which reflects enhanced operational efficiency and profitability.
- Comparative Observations
- Both net income and NOPAT demonstrate strong growth from 2020 to 2022, followed by a moderate downtrend in 2023 and 2024. The consistent lead of NOPAT over net income across all periods implies effective cost and tax management at the operational level. The sharp rise in 2025 for both metrics indicates a robust financial performance recovery and enhancement relative to prior years, suggesting strengthened earnings capability and possibly improved operational strategies or market conditions.
Cash Operating Taxes
Apple Inc., cash operating taxes calculation
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26).
- Provision for Income Taxes
- The provision for income taxes shows an overall increasing trend from 9,680 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 29,749 million USD in 2024, followed by a decline to 20,719 million USD in 2025. This pattern suggests variability in taxable income or changes in tax rates over the period. The sharp rise between 2023 and 2024 indicates a significant increase in tax expense, which substantially decreases the following year.
- Cash Operating Taxes
- Cash operating taxes also exhibit a rising trend from 9,729 million USD in 2020 to 32,898 million USD in 2024, aligning with the upward movement in income tax provision. The cash taxes peak in 2024 and then decrease to 22,234 million USD in 2025. This correlation with the provision for income taxes highlights increased tax payments matching the higher tax expense recorded, with both showing a marked increase in the 2023-2024 timeframe before receding.
- Insights and Comparison
- The close movement of provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes indicates consistency between tax accruals and actual tax payments over time. The notable spikes in both metrics during 2023-2024 suggest either a period of elevated profitability, changes in tax legislation, or other factors influencing taxable income and cash outflows related to taxes. The subsequent decline in 2025 may reflect adjustments, reductions in taxable income, or deferred tax strategies.
- Conclusion
- The tax-related financial data reveal a pattern of rising tax expenses and payments over most of the observed period, peaking in 2024 before decreasing in the final year. Continuous monitoring is advisable to understand the underlying causes of these fluctuations and their impact on the company's effective tax rate and cash flow management.
Invested Capital
Apple Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26).
1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.
2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »
3 Addition of deferred revenue.
4 Addition of equity equivalents to shareholders’ equity.
5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.
6 Subtraction of marketable securities.
- Total Reported Debt & Leases
- The total reported debt and leases demonstrate a fluctuating downward trend over the six-year period. Starting at US$122,278 million in 2020, the value peaks in 2021 at US$136,522 million, then generally declines each subsequent year, reaching US$112,377 million in 2025. This indicates a progressive reduction in the company's debt and lease obligations after 2021, suggesting an improvement in leverage management or a shift in financing strategy.
- Shareholders' Equity
- Shareholders' equity exhibits variability throughout the examined period. It begins at US$65,339 million in 2020 and decreases slightly to US$63,090 million in 2021. A more pronounced drop occurs in 2022, with equity declining to US$50,672 million. However, this is followed by a recovery in 2023 to US$62,146 million, a slight decrease in 2024, and a significant increase to US$73,733 million in 2025. The volatility in equity suggests periods of share repurchases, dividend payments, or other equity transactions impacting the book value.
- Invested Capital
- Invested capital shows a consistent upward trend with some fluctuations. Starting at US$36,252 million in 2020, it increases steadily through 2021 and 2022, reaching US$46,661 million. There is a notable rise in 2023 to US$60,243 million, followed by a drop to US$50,072 million in 2024. The figure peaks significantly at US$88,915 million in 2025. This overall growth in invested capital could indicate increased asset investments or changes in working capital, reflecting expansion or reinvestment strategies.
Cost of Capital
Apple Inc., cost of capital calculations
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-27).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
| Capital (fair value)1 | Weights | Cost of capital | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity2 | ÷ | = | × | = | |||||||||
| Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases3 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability4 | ÷ | = | × | × (1 – 21.00%) | = | ||||||||
| Total: | |||||||||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26).
1 US$ in millions
2 Equity. See details »
3 Commercial paper, term debt, and finance leases. See details »
4 Operating lease liability. See details »
Economic Spread Ratio
Apple Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Sep 27, 2025 | Sep 28, 2024 | Sep 30, 2023 | Sep 24, 2022 | Sep 25, 2021 | Sep 26, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||
| Economic profit1 | |||||||
| Invested capital2 | |||||||
| Performance Ratio | |||||||
| Economic spread ratio3 | |||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||
| Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4 | |||||||
| Arista Networks Inc. | |||||||
| Cisco Systems Inc. | |||||||
| Dell Technologies Inc. | |||||||
| Lumentum Holdings Inc. | |||||||
| Super Micro Computer Inc. | |||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26).
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 analysis of economic value added indicators reveals a period of significant growth in absolute economic profit, countered by volatility in capital efficiency and the economic spread ratio over the six-year period ending September 2025.
- Economic Profit Trends
- Economic profit exhibited a strong upward trajectory from 2020 to 2022, rising from 52,010 million USD to a peak of 92,918 million USD. A period of relative stabilization followed between 2023 and 2024, with values hovering around 82,000 million USD. The period concluded with a significant increase in 2025, reaching a peak of 95,264 million USD, indicating a consistent ability to generate value above the cost of capital.
- Invested Capital Deployment
- Invested capital showed a general increase, although the growth was non-linear. Capital expanded steadily from 36,252 million USD in 2020 to 60,243 million USD in 2023. A notable contraction occurred in 2024, where capital decreased to 50,072 million USD. However, 2025 marked a substantial expansion in the capital base, with invested capital surging to 88,915 million USD, the highest level recorded in the analyzed timeframe.
- Economic Spread Ratio Dynamics
- The economic spread ratio demonstrates a fluctuating pattern that reflects the relationship between profit growth and capital intensity. The ratio peaked in 2022 at 199.14%, suggesting optimal efficiency in value creation relative to the capital employed. A sharp decline to 137.62% was observed in 2023, coinciding with a spike in invested capital and a dip in economic profit. Although a recovery to 164.43% occurred in 2024 due to a reduction in the capital base, the ratio fell to its lowest point of 107.14% in 2025. This decline indicates that while absolute economic profit reached record highs, the rate of capital expansion outpaced profit growth, thereby compressing the economic spread.
Economic Profit Margin
Apple Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Sep 27, 2025 | Sep 28, 2024 | Sep 30, 2023 | Sep 24, 2022 | Sep 25, 2021 | Sep 26, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||
| Economic profit1 | |||||||
| Net sales | |||||||
| Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue | |||||||
| Adjusted net sales | |||||||
| Performance Ratio | |||||||
| Economic profit margin2 | |||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||
| Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3 | |||||||
| Arista Networks Inc. | |||||||
| Cisco Systems Inc. | |||||||
| Dell Technologies Inc. | |||||||
| Lumentum Holdings Inc. | |||||||
| Super Micro Computer Inc. | |||||||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-26).
1 Economic profit. See details »
2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted net sales
= 100 × ÷ =
3 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial trajectory from September 2020 to September 2025 demonstrates a general expansion in economic value creation, characterized by a period of rapid growth, a mid-term stabilization phase, and a subsequent recovery to peak levels.
- Economic Profit Growth
- Economic profit experienced a significant surge between 2020 and 2022, rising from 52,010 million USD to a peak of 92,918 million USD. A moderate decline followed in 2023 and 2024, with values stabilizing around 82,000 million USD. However, the period concludes with a strong upward movement in 2025, reaching a maximum of 95,264 million USD, indicating a robust capacity to generate returns above the cost of capital.
- Adjusted Net Sales Performance
- Adjusted net sales exhibit a consistent upward trend over the analyzed period, growing from 276,615 million USD in 2020 to 417,061 million USD in 2025. While a slight contraction occurred in 2023, the overall growth indicates a sustained expansion of the revenue base, which provided the necessary scale to support the increase in absolute economic profit.
- Economic Profit Margin Analysis
- The economic profit margin reflects the efficiency of value creation relative to sales. The margin expanded rapidly from 18.80% in 2020 to a peak of 23.53% in 2022. A downward correction was observed through 2023 and 2024, where the margin dipped to 21.02%. By 2025, the margin recovered to 22.84%, suggesting that the company regained operational efficiency and improved its ability to convert sales into economic surplus.
The correlation between the growth in adjusted net sales and economic profit indicates that the increase in value creation was driven both by volume expansion and margin optimization. The recovery observed in 2025 suggests a successful realignment of profitability relative to the capital employed.