Stock Analysis on Net

Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since May 9, 2023.

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

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Economic Profit

Axon Enterprise Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 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).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2022 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT exhibited a fluctuating trend over the period analyzed. It started high in 2018 at 78,057 thousand USD, dropped significantly in 2019 to 17,857 thousand USD, then rebounded in 2020 to 51,762 thousand USD. In 2021, there was a decline again to 38,523 thousand USD, followed by a substantial increase in 2022 reaching 326,174 thousand USD. This suggests considerable volatility but a strong recovery and growth in the most recent year.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital remained relatively stable throughout the years, hovering around 12.87% to 12.9% from 2018 to 2021, with a slight decrease to 12.36% in 2022. This slight decline in 2022 may indicate a marginally lower risk environment or changes in capital structure.
Invested Capital
Invested capital showed a general upward trajectory, starting from 631,660 thousand USD in 2018, decreasing to 500,291 thousand USD in 2019, then increasing sharply year over year to 722,746 thousand USD in 2020, 1,262,920 thousand USD in 2021, and reaching 1,607,800 thousand USD in 2022. This indicates ongoing investment and expansion of capital employed in the business.
Economic Profit
Economic profit was negative for the first four years, with values ranging from -3,266 thousand USD in 2018 to a substantial negative of -124,324 thousand USD in 2021. However, in 2022 there was a significant positive turnaround, with economic profit rising sharply to 127,516 thousand USD. This indicates that despite previous years of returns below the cost of capital, the company generated value exceeding its capital costs in the latest period under review.
Overall Analysis
The financial data reflects a period of volatility and restructuring with notable investment increases and fluctuating operational profitability. The company improved its operational performance and capital efficiency significantly in 2022, as evidenced by the large increase in NOPAT and the positive economic profit. The stability in cost of capital coupled with increased invested capital suggests strategic funding and capitalization decisions. The positive economic profit in the last year is a critical indicator of value creation, reversing a multi-year trend of economic losses.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Axon Enterprise Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Net income (loss)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance2
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue3
Increase (decrease) in accrued warranty expense4
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents5
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability6
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense7
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes8
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 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).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenue.

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in accrued warranty expense.

5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss).

6 2022 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

7 2022 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

8 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income (loss).


Net Income (Loss)
The company experienced significant fluctuations in net income over the analyzed period. Starting with a substantial net income of $29,205 thousand in 2018, there was a sharp decline to $882 thousand in 2019, followed by a transition into losses in 2020 and 2021, with amounts of -$1,724 thousand and -$60,018 thousand, respectively. In 2022, the company reversed this trend dramatically, recording a significant net income of $147,139 thousand. This volatility indicates periods of financial difficulty followed by a substantial recovery and profitability improvement in the most recent year.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT demonstrated a somewhat different pattern, though it also showed variability. The value started at $78,057 thousand in 2018 and then decreased considerably to $17,857 thousand in 2019. In 2020, NOPAT increased to $51,762 thousand, suggesting operational profitability improvement despite the net loss reported that year. A decline occurred again in 2021 to $38,523 thousand; however, a substantial increase to $326,174 thousand was evident in 2022. This increase in 2022 indicates enhanced operational efficiency and profitability on an after-tax basis.
Overall Trends and Insights
The data reveal a period of instability between 2018 and 2021, characterized by fluctuating and often negative net income, contrasted with positive but volatile NOPAT values. The divergence between net income and NOPAT especially during 2020 and 2021 suggests that non-operating factors or extraordinary charges may have negatively impacted net income. The strong recovery in 2022 across both net income and NOPAT points to improved financial health, possibly driven by operational improvements or a favorable change in the cost or revenue structure. The considerable growth in 2022 in both metrics reflects a pivotal turnaround likely resulting from strategic adjustments or market conditions.

Cash Operating Taxes

Axon Enterprise Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Provision for income taxes (income tax benefit)
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 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).


Provision for income taxes (income tax benefit)
Over the five-year period, the provision for income taxes exhibited significant volatility and fluctuation. Initially, there was a negative provision in 2018, indicating an income tax benefit of 1,101 thousand US dollars. This turned positive in 2019, reaching 1,188 thousand US dollars, followed by another shift back to a negative provision in 2020 at -4,567 thousand US dollars. The most pronounced change occurred in 2021 with a substantial negative provision amounting to -81,357 thousand US dollars, suggesting a major income tax benefit that year. However, in 2022, the provision reversed to a positive figure of 49,379 thousand US dollars.
Cash operating taxes
Cash operating taxes demonstrated a generally increasing trend over the analyzed period, with a pronounced exception in 2021. Starting at 7,666 thousand US dollars in 2018, the amount increased steadily to 9,266 thousand US dollars in 2019 and further to 12,034 thousand US dollars in 2020. In 2021, there was a sharp decline, with cash operating taxes reported as negative 851 thousand US dollars, indicating a cash inflow or refund situation. Subsequently, in 2022, the cash operating taxes surged significantly to 27,888 thousand US dollars, more than doubling the previous peak.

Invested Capital

Axon Enterprise Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Convertible notes, net
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance3
Deferred revenue4
Accrued warranty expense5
Equity equivalents6
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax7
Adjusted stockholders’ equity
Construction-in-process8
Investments9
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 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).

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 revenue.

5 Addition of accrued warranty expense.

6 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.

7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

8 Subtraction of construction-in-process.

9 Subtraction of investments.


The financial data reveals several notable trends in the company's capital structure and financial positioning over the five-year period ending in 2022.

Total Reported Debt & Leases
There is a relatively stable and moderate level of debt from 2018 through 2021, fluctuating between approximately 10.6 million and 27 million USD. However, in 2022, this figure experiences a dramatic increase to over 717 million USD. This sharp rise indicates a significant change in the company's financing strategy or capital structure, suggesting either a substantial new borrowing, lease obligation, or financial arrangement undertaken in the latest period.
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders' equity shows steady growth throughout all years, moving from around 467 million USD in 2018 to approximately 1.27 billion USD in 2022. The increase suggests consistent retention of earnings or capital injections, strengthening the company's net worth and reflecting profitable operations or equity financing activities.
Invested Capital
Invested capital fluctuates during the initial years, decreasing from roughly 632 million USD in 2018 to 500 million USD in 2019, then rising again to 723 million USD in 2020. From 2020 onward, invested capital increases significantly, peaking at approximately 1.61 billion USD by the end of 2022. This upward trend illustrates increased capital employed in the business, likely fuelled by the substantial growth in reported debt and equity, indicating expanded operational scale or investment in long-term assets.

Overall, the data suggests a period of gradual growth and stability up to 2021, followed by a marked increase in financial leverage and total capital employed in 2022. The spike in reported debt and leases may raise considerations regarding risk and debt service capacity, while the ongoing growth in equity and invested capital reflects a larger asset base and potentially heightened business activities.


Cost of Capital

Axon Enterprise Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Convertible notes3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Convertible notes. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Convertible notes3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Convertible notes. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Convertible notes3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Convertible notes. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Convertible notes3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

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

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Convertible notes. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Convertible notes3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

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

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Convertible notes. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Axon Enterprise Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Boeing Co.
Caterpillar Inc.
Eaton Corp. plc
GE Aerospace
Honeywell International Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
RTX Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 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).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2022 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial data reveals notable fluctuations and a significant shift in the company's economic performance over the observed period.

Economic Profit
The economic profit demonstrated a deeply negative trend from 2018 through 2021, initially recording a loss of $3,266 thousand in 2018 and worsening substantially to a peak loss of $124,324 thousand in 2021. However, there was a marked reversal in 2022 when economic profit swung to a positive $127,516 thousand, indicating a significant turnaround in value creation.
Invested Capital
Invested capital exhibited a consistent upward trend throughout the period, increasing from $631,660 thousand in 2018 to $1,607,800 thousand by the end of 2022. The growth was particularly pronounced during the years 2020 to 2022, suggesting ongoing substantial reinvestment or acquisition of capital assets.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio followed a pattern similar to economic profit, remaining negative from 2018 to 2021, with its lowest point at -9.84% in 2021. This ratio turned positive in 2022, reaching 7.93%, aligning with the positive economic profit and indicating that the returns on invested capital exceeded the cost of capital, reflecting improved efficiency and value generation in the latest year.

Overall, the data portrays a company that was underperforming relative to its capital costs for several consecutive years, with increasing capital investments coupled with negative value economic profit and spread. The substantial positive shift in 2022 suggests successful strategic or operational changes that enhanced profitability and returns on capital, marking a significant turnaround in the company's economic performance.


Economic Profit Margin

Axon Enterprise Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Economic profit1
 
Net sales
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
Adjusted net sales
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Boeing Co.
Caterpillar Inc.
Eaton Corp. plc
GE Aerospace
Honeywell International Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
RTX Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 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).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2022 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted net sales
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Economic Profit
The economic profit demonstrates significant volatility over the analyzed period. Initially, it was negative at -3,266 thousand US dollars in 2018, followed by a steep decline to -46,689 thousand in 2019. The figure slightly improved in 2020 to -41,482 thousand but worsened considerably in 2021, reaching a negative value of -124,324 thousand. However, there was a marked turnaround in 2022, with economic profit becoming positive at 127,516 thousand, indicating a substantial recovery and value creation in that year.
Adjusted Net Sales
Adjusted net sales show a consistent and robust upward trend throughout the period. Sales increased from 476,219 thousand US dollars in 2018 to 555,227 thousand in 2019. The growth accelerated considerably in 2020 with sales reaching 750,384 thousand, then continued this strong momentum with sales climbing to 1,039,512 thousand in 2021 and further to 1,346,663 thousand in 2022. This consistent expansion suggests successful revenue growth strategies or market demand improvement over time.
Economic Profit Margin (%)
The economic profit margin reflects the economic profitability relative to net sales and mirrors the trend seen in economic profit. It was negative throughout the first four years, starting at -0.69% in 2018, deteriorating to -8.41% in 2019, slightly recovering to -5.53% in 2020, then declining again to -11.96% in 2021. In 2022, the margin dramatically improved to 9.47%, becoming positive for the first time in the period, which indicates efficient cost management or improved profitability leading to value generation relative to sales.
Summary
Overall, the company experienced challenging economic profit performance during 2018-2021 despite growing sales. The turning point occurred in 2022, where both economic profit and profit margin showed notable improvement and moved into positive territory, aligning with the continuing strong increase in adjusted net sales. This pattern suggests a significant shift towards profitability and economic value creation in the most recent year, following several years of losses despite sales growth.